Chimney Services

Inside the chase, from top to bottom

Each chase we repair or rebuild carries our workmanship warranty and our 100% satisfaction guarantee.

Opening the chase to see the damage

Some damage can only be judged once the siding or stucco comes off. We open the chase starting where the signs are strongest and work outward until we reach sound, dry framing. Stucco is cut along clean lines and siding comes off in whole pieces where possible, so the finish can go back neatly.

You know the plan before we start, including how far we expect to go. If the damage runs further than the estimate allowed, we stop, show you what we found and price the added work before continuing. Nothing is closed up over wet or rotted wood.

The top of the chase and its flashing

The top of a chase is closed with a metal sheet or flashing that the chimney passes through. In the DuraTech manual, a chase larger than its chase top flashing gets a galvanized sheet that covers the chase and overhangs the sides by one-half to three-quarters of an inch, with spacers keeping the required air gaps and screw heads sealed with non-hardening sealant.

A rusted or flat top lets water pond and drain into the framing. When the top has failed, we price its replacement alongside the chase repair so the new walls are not sitting under an old leak.

A water barrier behind the siding

Siding and stucco are not waterproof on their own. The Florida Building Code requires at least one layer of water-resistive barrier over the studs or sheathing of exterior walls, and a chase is an exterior wall on every side.

When we open a chase, we often find the barrier missing, torn or lapped the wrong way, so water that got behind the siding ran straight into the sheathing. We install new barrier lapped to shed water before any finish goes back on.

Working safely on the roof around the chase

Chase repairs happen high on the roof, often on more than one face of the chase at once. We set up access suited to the roof pitch and material and protect the roofing where ladders, tools and old siding are handled.

Old material is lowered to the ground, and the roof and gutters around the chase are cleared at the end of the job. If we notice roofing damage near the chase, we point it out before we leave.