Originally Posted by
Greg2222
First of all I am new and I want to thank you in advance for the advice. This might be a bit lengthy but please bare with me. I had a licensed contractor out to my house to reshingle the roof. After the job was completed in 2005, my chimney is still leaking with water dripping down the sides when it rains out. I have been told numerous reasons and I just want to get to the bottom of it. I was told it was my chimney liner causing the trouble. Then I was told it was the cracks in the masonary around the bricks and a piece of missing brick. I admit the chimney is old, but would it really let that much water in and only when it rains? It actually drips non-stop during rain storms. Also, this so called licensed contractor did not put flashing around my chimney when he finished the job. He came out 5 months later and put the flashing around the chimney. I noticed the water damage then. You could actually see outside around the chimney! I did a water hose test and sprayed it on only the flashing itself that he finally put on and videotaped it. The water poured in the attic. Is it my chimney cap which is metal and has a top? Is it because of this contractor not putting the flashing on until five months later? Is it the chimney liner? I have been told ten different stories but according to four roofing contractors, the flashing was just not put on right on either the chimney or the seams/peaks. I don't know if they are feeding me a line to get business or if it's the fault of the contractor that did my roof? Not only that but two other rooms leaked too from him not using enough flashing I guess in the peaks. Quite a horror story! Please help! Thanks in advance!
Disruptions in the masonry can lead to leaks such as you are describing. Also if you spray the chimney with a garden hose you could be creating a substantial leak that otherwise would not occur. Here's why; most chimneys are counter flashed from the horizontal mortar joints , this counter flashing ( that is a metal piece which is embedded into the mortar joint and then turns downward to overlap the step flashing ) only lays over the step flashing. The joint is not sealed. The step flashing is a relatively small metal piece which is integrated into each shingle course or row. This step flashing creates a vertical joint with each course . So in a conventional flashing arrangement you end up with a series of vertical joints , which can easily allow water to enter if it is under pressure. Almost any chimney can leak if the wind is blowing hard enough and is pushing the rain horizontally. It's possible that you are simulating this with a hose.
Usually a roofer will ensure that their step flashing is placed under each shingle course and goes under the chimney counter flashing. A mason would be the competent individual to repair any brick work , maintain cap and flue integrity, and embed counter flashing effectively.
