Roofing in Knoxville, TN
Chimney leak repair in Knoxville
A stain on the ceiling beside the chimney almost always traces back to the metal where the roof meets the brick. That metal is roofing work, and it's the part we fix. Text a photo of the stain to start.
- Family roofing company. Since 2018.
- 4,000+ projects documented. On record, job by job.
- Free inspections. Written, line-by-line prices.
- 24-hour emergency line. Leaks and storm damage, any hour.
- All of East Tennessee. Twelve counties, one phone number.
Where chimney leaks start
Four spots are worth checking:
- Step flashing, the L-shaped pieces woven into each row of shingles up both sides.
- Counterflashing, set into a mortar joint and lapped down over the step flashing so water can't run behind it.
- The uphill side, where water from the roof above piles up against the brick.
- The crown, the slab of mortar or concrete on top. Hairline cracks there let rain soak down into the brick.
A thick bead of caulk along the top of the flashing usually means an old patch. Caulk dries out and cracks long before the metal does.
What the repair includes
The shingles around the chimney come up with the old flashing. Step flashing goes back piece by piece with each row of shingles, over ice and water shield. Counterflashing sits in a groove cut into a mortar joint, and the groove gets sealed. On a wide chimney, a cricket goes in on the uphill side, a small peaked roof that sends water around the chimney instead of letting it pond against the brick. Crown sealing fills hairline cracks with a coating made for masonry crowns.
If the roof is near the end anyway, do the chimney with the roof replacement. Flashing done on its own gets torn up again when the roof comes off.
When it's a job for a mason
Crumbling brick, mortar washing out of the joints, a crown that has broken apart, or a chimney that leans all need a mason. We don't rebuild masonry. If that's what the chimney needs, you'll hear it from us, along with what to ask a mason for. The brick work goes first and the flashing after, so the metal isn't set into brick that's about to be replaced.
Questions about chimney leaks
How do I know the leak is the chimney and not the roof?
Look at where the stain sits. A stain on the ceiling right beside the chimney, or water running down the chimney breast inside, points at the flashing or the crown. A stain a few feet away can still start at the chimney, because water runs along a rafter before it drips. Text a photo of the stain and the chimney to (865) 830-8126, and we'll tell you what it looks like.
My ceiling is stained near the chimney. Is it the chimney or the roof?
Usually it's the joint between them. Flashing runs under the shingles where the chimney comes through, and counterflashing set into the brick laps over it. When either pulls loose or rusts, rain runs down into your ceiling. We fix flashing, add crickets and seal crowns. If the brick itself is crumbling, you need a mason, and we'll say so.
Can you fix a leak instead of replacing the whole roof?
Usually, yes. Most leaks start at a handful of spots: cracked pipe boots, flashing at a wall or chimney, a few wind-lifted shingles, or a skylight. Each can usually be fixed on its own, and if a repair will stop the leak, that's what we quote. We'll also tell you when patching has become throwing money away.
Can I just text you a photo?
Please do. Text a photo of the problem (the ceiling stain, the shingles in your yard, the spot you can see from the street) to (865) 830-8126 with your address. We'll text back what it looks like and whether someone needs to come out. It's the fastest way to find out if a problem is small.
Get your chimney leak looked at
Four boxes. We'll call you back to pick a time.
Rather talk? Call (865) 830-8126. Rather text? Send a photo.