A chimney needs proper flashing to keep water out.
Cement chimneys have a metal interior that joins the roof to the chimney. This is called the flashing. If the flashing is worn out or not properly fitted, rain can leak from the chimney onto the ceiling of the house. Flashing your own chimney will save you the costs of hiring a roof repair service. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Measure your chimney with a tape measure. When you have the measurements, order the flashing pieces from a sheet metal shop. Flashing has several sections: front base, step, cap and saddle.
2. Remove the old flashing from your chimney, as well as any excess roofing cement, with a hammer and chisel.
3. Cut a piece of base flashing to fit across the front of your chimney. It should have a 45-degree angle that allows it to bend around one side of the chimney.
4. Attach the base to your chimney and seal around it with strips of roofing membrane. Each strip should be a foot wide. Overlap adjacent strips so they can shed water. Place a strip 36 inches long across the top of the chimney.
5. Cut an 8-inch piece of square step flashing. Fit it 1 1/2 inch around the front corner of your chimney. Attach it with caulk to the corner where your chimney meets your roof and pound roofing nails into it for additional support. Repeat for each corner.
6. Nail the saddle to your roof. Secure it with strips of roofing membrane and cover it with shingles.
7. At the front of your chimney, mark the third mortar joint up from the roof. Extend this mark 6 inches around both front corners. Mark the mortar joints on the sides of the chimney, making sure the flashing rises in steps as you reach the back. Mark a straight line across the back of your chimney, which will cover the saddle.
8. The cap flashing pieces are the final ones that need to be applied. Use the circular saw to cut grooves in your chimney's mortar joints. The grooves should be at least 1 inch deep and 1/8 inch wide. Fit the cap flashing into the grooves and secure it with caulk.
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