Flat Roof Leaking Around Chimney

The mortar grout is usually the first to go.

Flat roof leaking around chimney.

It could be your chimney that s the issue. Or you may have a poorly designed valley at the bottom of the roof slope and directly above your chimney that catches debris snow and ice. Is your roof leaking. The flashing is a piece of sheet metal that covers the overlapping areas of the chimney and roof.

That part of the flashing is very vulnerable to leaks. Sometimes a chimney may start to leak only after a very wet series of storms. Apply roof cement to any gaps or cracks. Water test the roof at the area of the chimney using a garden hose.

If your roof still leaks it is not the chimney. The outer structure of your chimney often retains water which can make the roof leak in a hard rain. Chimney roof leaks are usually caused by gaps or cracks between the metal flashing used to join the chimney to the roof and the chimney. For example your roof might have a leak through the attic vent or roof shingle at the top.

The flashing on a chimney is one of the biggest reasons for roof leaks. Most of the time the metal flashing has to be inserted into a slot into the face of the brick. To do this ask an assistant to observe the area of the ceiling near the chimney and run water along the sealed gaps of the. Gas appliances output a lot of water vapor and if it s not venting properly it will condens.

You must also make sure the shingles and flashing surrounding the chimney are in proper working order. Re pointing a chimney is not a simple process and is often messed up by novice people that try to do it. Mortar cracks chimney flashing and crown deterioration on a chimney will contribute to leaks on a flat roof. But if you have problems with water leaking around the outside of your chimney down into your walls you may have a problem with worn out flashing or sealant.

Sometimes a leak starts in a different place but finds its way to the chimney and then visibly enters the inside of a room at the point of the chimney. To repair chimney flashing leaks. Wrap the chimney with plastic and tape it securely.