Chimney Services
Chimney chase repair for homes in Fern Park
Our experts check the chimney pipe, the firestops and the clearances while the chase in Fern Park is open.
Where water gets into a chase
Water reaches the inside of a chase in a few predictable ways. It comes through a rusted or flat chase top, around a storm collar that has lost its seal, through open seams or trim joints in the siding, through cracks in stucco and at the roof where the flashing has failed.
Each of those paths is checked before anything is opened. Repairing rotted wood without closing the path that rotted it only starts the clock again, so the estimate always pairs the damage with its cause.
A cricket behind a wide chase
On the uphill side of a chase, roof water has nowhere to go but against the wall. A cricket, also called a saddle, splits that flow around the chase, and the Florida Building Code requires one on the ridge side of any chimney or penetration wider than 30 inches measured across the slope.
If a wide chase has no cricket, or the cricket's covering has failed, the uphill corner stays wet after every storm. We point it out at the inspection and price the cricket work separately from the chase itself.
Siding repairs on the chase
Fiber cement, vinyl and wood siding each need their own installation details at corners, trim and the roof line. Siding set tight against the roofing, open joints at trim and unsealed cut edges all let water behind the finish. Swelling along the bottom edge of each lap and rust streaks from fasteners are the usual clues.
We replace damaged siding to its maker's instructions, repair the sheathing and barrier behind it and match the profile and color as closely as available material allows. Where an exact match is not possible, we tell you before ordering.
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.
