Ask the Pack: Leaking Chimney

[vhdawg]

My mother's chimney is leaking water on the inside when we get torrential rains like we got last week. I'm not sure who one would need to have come look at that, and I need some recommendations. She had her roof replaced a couple years ago, I guess it could be something to do with the flashing, but I just don't know.

 

[aTotal360]

First, I'd call the roofer that put on the new roof (unless you got a fly-by-night roofer). Unfortunately most of those guys a slimier than bat ****. Double check the warranty. You might be able to pin it on them.

 

[The Peeper]

I had same problem. Do a Google Images search for a "roof cricket" (no relation to mole crickets) and see if she has one. Roofer looked at my problem, pulled some shingles and added the cricket, end of problem. He led me to believe they were usually spec on older houses then builders started cutting corners and now most codes say you have to have them

 

[T-TownDawgg]

Always call a local established contractor unless you get a very established and insured LOCAL roofer. If the job goes sideways it will be on his general liability. I have on many occasions gotten a better deal because of the discount subcontractors cut the GC.

 

[dorndawg]

How do I get rid o fthe roof crickets?!?***

 

[bierto]

That same thing happened to my house and a friend of mines during last weeks rains, and both have been the flashing around the chimney

 

[UpTheMiddlex3Punt]

Is the chimney chase made of brick? I had this problem for a couple years. Had the roof replaced (for hail damage reasons) and even the chimney cap redone (it was rusted through, so it needed it). It turned out there was a hole in the mortar in the bricks on the chimney chase and it took less than a minute to patch it up.

I would check the chimney cap first and then inspect if there are any holes in the chase.

 

[Uncle Ruckus]

im assuming this is a euphemism for something

 

[woozman]

I had same problem. Do a Google Images search for a "roof cricket" and see if she has one. Roofer looked at my problem, pulled some shingles and added the cricket, end of problem. He led me to believe they usually were usually spec on older houses then builders started cutting corners and now most codes say you have to have them

^^^This.

I had a similar problem and the first guy I hired (on the cheap) came and sealed everything with silicone caulk. Didn't work after about five visits and the guy moved back to TX. So I hired another guy that added the cricket and have had no issues since.

 

[vhdawg]

Thanks all, I've have passed this thread onto her to read. (Now yall use nice language in front of my momma, you hear?)

 

[Digging dog]

How do I get rid o fthe roof crickets?!?***

Dales is a natural deterrent. Didn't hear that from me though. ****

 

[LandArchDawg]

I have an issue with a gable on my house that has leaked off and on. The bottom lip sticks up above the shingles and the prior owners just caked it with tar. I have been trying to figure out how to tear all of that out and improve the lapping condition. This is an old house, 1954 ranch.

 

[RocketDawg]

I had same problem. Do a Google Images search for a "roof cricket" (no relation to mole crickets) and see if she has one. Roofer looked at my problem, pulled some shingles and added the cricket, end of problem. He led me to believe they were usually spec on older houses then builders started cutting corners and now most codes say you have to have them

Yep, I was going to say the same thing. Needs a cricket if a sloping roof comes up to the back of the chimney. And it needs good flashing. To answer the OP's question, he should call a reputable roofer (and that's almost oxymoronic .. you have to be careful).

 

[deanbar]

http://www.aconcordcarpenter.com/installing-a-roof-cricket.html

 

[EurekaDog]

Don't overlook decaying mortar. It doesn't take much of a ...

hole to let a lot of water (1) get through and behind the mortar, (2) then drip down, and (3) exit a mortar hole below the roof into your attic or wall.

Don't be afraid to do a good job of applying Thompson's WaterSeal (or a similar product) on the chimney's brick and mortar.

 

[TNT.sixpack]

That would actually be a workmanship issue and the GL won't cover faulty workmanship. The GL only covers other resulting damages caused by the work of the contractor in replacing the roof.