Repair & waterproofing
Chimney Flashing Repair
Flashing is the layered metal-and-seal detail that waterproofs the joint where the chimney passes through the roof. It is one of the hardest transitions on any roof to keep watertight, and when flashing is worn, poorly installed, or relying on old caulk, it becomes a leading cause of leaks that look like a roof problem or a chimney problem but are really neither.
Why flashing leaks
Flashing fails when the metal corrodes or lifts, when it was surface-sealed with caulk instead of properly integrated, or when roofing work disturbed it. Because the leak often appears on the ceiling some distance from the chimney, flashing problems are frequently misdiagnosed. Tar or caulk smeared over the joint is a common temporary patch that hides the real condition and buys only a season or two.
The chimney-to-roof joint moves and weathers, so a durable fix has to account for that movement rather than depend on a bead of sealant.
What proper flashing repair looks like
A correct flashing detail uses base flashing and counter-flashing that layer with the roofing and tuck into the masonry, so water is directed over the top of each layer and off the roof. Repair may mean resetting or replacing flashing components and integrating them properly rather than caulking the surface.
We assess how the existing flashing was built and where it is failing, then correct the detail so the joint sheds water the way it should.
Coordinating with roof and masonry
Flashing sits at the intersection of the roof and the chimney, so a lasting repair sometimes touches both. If the masonry the counter-flashing keys into is deteriorated, that may need attention too. We are clear about what the fix involves rather than sealing the surface and leaving the underlying detail unaddressed.
Signs of a flashing problem
- Ceiling stains near where the chimney meets the roof
- Tar or caulk smeared over the chimney-to-roof joint
- Rust or lifted metal at the base of the chimney
- Leaks that follow the roofline
- Flashing disturbed by recent roof work
- Water appearing after wind-driven rain
Proper flashing repair includes
- Assessing how the existing flashing was built
- Base flashing and counter-flashing that layer correctly
- Integrating flashing with the roofing and masonry
- Resetting or replacing worn components
- Avoiding surface-caulk-only patches
- Addressing deteriorated masonry the flashing keys into
Serving St. Louis & Kansas City
We provide chimney flashing repair across both of our home regions — the St. Louis metro, including the Metro East communities in Illinois, and the Kansas City metro on both the Missouri and Kansas sides — generally within about 65 miles of each city. Wherever you are, the approach is the same: we look at the actual system on site, explain what we find in plain terms, and lay out the options before any work begins. We use cautious, honest language about what we can and can't determine, and we don't quote a price or promise a fix for a problem we haven't assessed in person. Each metro has its own direct phone number, so you always reach the right place, and we're available around the clock to take your call and get you on the schedule.
The scope of a repair depends on what has actually failed and how far the damage extends, how the chimney is built and how easily it can be accessed, and whether water has been getting in long enough to affect more than the visible area.
Keeping ahead of it
Repairs tend to be smaller when they're caught early. A minor crown crack, a bit of open joint, or a slightly rusted cap is far more contained than the spalled brick, interior leaks, and larger rebuilds that follow seasons of unaddressed water. A yearly look is the reliable way to catch these while they're small.
Questions
Chimney Flashing Repair FAQs
My roofer caulked the flashing but it still leaks. Why?
Surface caulk is a patch, not a flashing detail. If the layered metal is worn or was never integrated with the masonry and roofing, the joint keeps leaking until the detail itself is corrected.
Is a flashing leak a roof problem or a chimney problem?
It is the transition between them, which is why it gets passed back and forth. We address the flashing detail specifically so the joint is properly sealed.
Can flashing be repaired without redoing the roof?
Often yes. Flashing components can frequently be reset or replaced and integrated correctly without a full roof replacement, depending on their condition.
Do you service both St. Louis and Kansas City?
Yes. This is one of the services we provide across both the St. Louis and Kansas City metro areas, each with its own direct phone number. Call the number for your area and we'll take it from there.
St. Louis metro
Chimney Flashing Repair near St. Louis
Available across the St. Louis service area, including:
Kansas City metro
Chimney Flashing Repair near Kansas City
Available across the Kansas City service area, including:
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Get in touch
Request chimney flashing repair
Tell us about your chimney or fireplace and the best number to reach you. Full name, phone, and ZIP are required.
- Available 24/7 to take your call and schedule a visit.
- We assess the system on site and explain options before any work.
- Serving the St. Louis and Kansas City metro areas.