Our Services
Framing, barrier and finish, in the right order
Finding the water, taking out the damage and rebuilding the enclosure, in the order our chase specialists follow.
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.
Stucco chases need their layers
Stucco on a framed chase is a layered system. The Florida Building Code calls for a water-resistive vapor-permeable barrier behind stucco over wood-based sheathing, with performance equal to two layers of Grade D paper, and the stucco itself goes over lath.
A patch of new stucco over rotted sheathing or a missing barrier will crack and stain again. We cut back to sound material, repair the sheathing, restore the barrier and lath, then rebuild the stucco and blend the finish.
Checking the chimney pipe while the chase is open
An open chase is a good chance to look at the chimney pipe itself. Rust, dents, separated joints and damaged support parts can all show up once the siding is off.
Damaged sections are replaced only with parts listed for that chimney. The DuraTech manual, for example, requires authorized parts only, forbids mixing parts from other products and says damaged or modified parts must not be installed. We tell you what we find and price it on its own line.
What we check on a chase
A chase inspection covers the chase top and storm collar, the termination cap, the siding or stucco on every face, the trim and corners, the flashing at the roof, any cricket and signs of water inside the house near the fireplace.
The findings come in plain words, along with our view of how far the chase will need opening and a written price for each part of the repair. The inspection is free, and nothing starts until you approve it.
