Chimney Services
Chase repair details that keep water out
Same-day chase inspections are available in Geigers Landing when the schedule allows.
New sheathing on the chase walls
Sheathing is the layer of plywood or oriented strand board that stiffens the chase and holds the finish. Once it has been wet for long, it swells, separates into layers and crumbles at the edges.
We replace damaged sheathing in full sheets where we can, fasten it to sound framing and seal the edges at the top of the chase. The barrier and finish then go over a solid, flat surface instead of patched panels. Where the old sheathing was nailed to rotted studs, the framing is repaired first so the new panels have something sound to hold.
Caulk is not a chase repair
Sealant has a place in chase work, at screw heads, trim joints and the storm collar. Used as the whole repair, it hides problems. The Brick Industry Association's chimney guidance makes the same point, noting that caulking is often treated as a way to hide poor workmanship when it should be detailed with the same care as the rest of the structure.
We use sealant where the details call for it and repair the parts it was covering for. A bead of caulk over a rotted seam may look fine for a season while the wood behind it keeps getting worse.
Matching the finish on a repaired chase
A repaired chase should blend with the rest of the house. New siding and stucco rarely match weathered material perfectly on day one, and some older profiles are no longer made. Stucco texture and paint sheen matter as much as color, and both are judged on site against the existing walls.
We discuss the closest available match before ordering, show you where new meets old and include priming and painting where the finish calls for it. If a face needs full replacement for a clean match, that option is priced separately.
Chase findings in a home inspection report
Home inspectors often note soft siding, staining or a rusted top on a chimney chase, with a recommendation for further evaluation. That leaves buyers and sellers guessing how much is behind the finish.
Our inspection covers the chase, and we say plainly what we can see and what may be hidden, with a written price that explains any allowance for opening the wall. After the work, you get a written description to share with the other side of the sale.
