Flashing & Good Repair Image - Mansfield OH - Chim Cheroo ChimneyMany people think of their chimney as strong, durable, and indestructible – but that is not the case. Although chimneys are strong, they do need to be inspected and cared for on an annual basis. There are also things that you can do to be proactive when it comes to making sure that your chimney stays strong and durable – and one of these things is making sure that the flashing of your chimney is in good repair.

So What is Flashing?

According to the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) website, flashing is “the seal between the roofing material and the chimney.” This is such an important part of the makeup of your chimney because it prevents precipitation from running down your chimney and ruining the interior of your home – the ceilings or walls. The flashing is designed in a way that allows the roof and the chimney to expand and contract individually without compromising the seal in either area. Flashing is made up of layered metal sheets that cover where the chimney comes out of the roof. The sheets are layered and overlapped so that water can’t enter along the base.

So, you can tell from this that the flashing is pretty important, right? Because it protects the joints, the chimney, and the interior of your home, it’s very important that you keep your flashing in good repair.

What Can Cause Flashing to be Damaged or Leak?

Sometimes your flashing can, for one reason or another, become exposed. If it is exposed, it will look like a long run of sheet metal and will feature large cracks. According to the freshhome website, this may happen because of the tar used to seal the flashing together. This tar can corrode over time, which can leave the flashing exposed to wind, rain, and other precipitation, and this can cause the flashing to crack.

Even when a high-quality caulking is used to seal the edges of flashing, it can sometimes work itself loose over time. Fortunately, this is a quick and easy fix, especially for one of the professionals at Chim Cheroo Chimney Service.

Another cause of flashing disrepair can be common house settling. Over time, all houses go through a settling process, and this can cause cracks or spacing to occur in your flashing materials.

Your flashing, even if installed correctly, may experience damage from weather or even animals. Strong winds can cause your flashing to pull away from the roofing; strong animals can do the same. These same elements (wind or animals) can also cause dents in the flashing, and when this occurs, precipitation can easily get under the flashing and cause your roof to leak.

Make Sure Your Flashing Is In Great Shape

Whether your flashing is in a state of disrepair or just needs to be checked out, the experts at Chim Cheroo Chimney Service have the knowledge and the experience to make sure that any leaks are taken care of. They use quality products and have had decades of experience in flashing inspection and repair. You can know that your flashing AND your home’s interior will be kept in tip-top shape when Chim Cheroo Chimney Service is on the job!