Chimney Services
Chimney chase repair for homes in Slavia
Our experts check the chimney pipe, the firestops and the clearances while the chase in Slavia is open.
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.
Flashing where the chase meets the roof
Florida's residential code puts flashing wherever a wall meets a roof or a roof is opened up, and along a sidewall it names two methods, step flashing or one continuous L-shaped piece. A chase is exactly that kind of intersection, and its base is where many chase leaks begin.
Flashing on every side of the chase at the roof line gets checked, including any sealant used in place of metal, and what has failed is repaired or replaced. A new chase wall above a failed flashing would soak up the same water again.
Replacing rotted framing
Rotted studs, plates and blocking lose their strength and their grip on nails and screws. Where the rot is limited, new framing can be sistered alongside or pieces replaced. Where the base plate or corners have gone, the chase may need to be reframed from the bottom up.
We use fasteners and connectors suited to the lumber and the location, keep the chimney's clearances and make sure the chase is plumb and tied back to the house before the sheathing goes on.
Access for cleaning and inspection
Some chase chimneys, particularly those that run up an outside wall from a tee, have an access door near the base for cleaning. The DuraTech manual shows an access door for cleaning in its exterior chase installations.
When we rebuild or reclad a chase, we keep any access door working and sealed against the weather. Covering it over makes future cleaning and inspection harder, so it stays reachable. If the door has rusted or lost its seal, we replace or reseal it as part of the chase work and list it on the estimate.
