Importance of Flashing

Commercial Chimney Service

We Install Flashing & Custom Crickets That Can Make Leaks and Other Water Problems A Thing Of The Past

When you look up at a chimney from the street, you probably first notice the pops of metal: the chimney cap at the top and the flashing surrounding the chimney at the roofline on all four sides.

Flashing, particularly when it’s made of copper, provides a great visual effect, but its role is a lot more function-focused. We install flashing around the chimney to protect it, and the interior of the home, from water intrusion.

You see, the chimney comes up through a hole in the roof, so naturally, there are gaps between the roofing and the vertical walls of the chimney. Flashing is designed to thoroughly close off those gaps, essentially making the roof and the chimney one. And proper flashing is designed in layers to offer superior protection and make it far more difficult for water to make its way through.

Flashing Design: A Breakdown

Flashing is made out of various strips of metal, which are integrated with the roof and chimney. Step flashing pieces are L-shaped and are layered first, one side butted up against the chimney, the other woven into the roof shingles. Counter flashing goes on top of the step flashing, with an angled edge installed into the masonry joints. Exposed edges are then bolstered with high-performance caulk. Together, the pieces of flashing work to provide you with strong and lasting protection against water intrusion. A variety of metals are commonly used in flashing, though the most common are galvanized metal, stainless steel and copper. Galvanized metal tends to be the least expensive and the least durable, while stainless steel and copper cost more, but are far more durable.

The “Go To” Chimney Sweep & Repair Experts!

When Flashing Problems Arise

If you have a chimney leak, the flashing is one of the first problem areas that American Chimney’s technicians will look at. Often, the parts of the system that are designed to protect against water are the first to succumb to its effects. Of course, we see flashing issues more often with galvanized metal (which is prone to corrosion), but flashing damage is also common as a result of weather – for example, heavy winds can pull up or tear pieces and pull caulking loose. In addition to high winds, heavy rain and snow can cause rusting and corrosion, rendering the flashing ineffective.

If our techs find flashing issues in your system, we can repair or replace damaged areas so that your system is properly protected once again.

Problem Roof? A Custom Cricket Might Fix It

Even the most meticulously installed flashing can start to fail if the roof’s design encourages water to pool around one side of the chimney. In these instances, the most effective fix is usually to install a custom cricket, which is basically a ridge that’s built to divert water around the chimney and down into the gutters.

Here at American Chimney, we design, install and finish crickets that can hold up against water for years and years.

If you have a chimney leak that might be the result of a flashing issue, let us know. Our technicians can inspect your system, locate the source of the problem, and if necessary, repair your flashing and/or install a custom chimney cricket. Just call 215-364-0881 to make an appointment! Or, click here to request an appointment online.

Waterproofing may be the best long-term solution for your leaking chimney. Talk to us for more details.

Industrial chimneys are subject to deterioration over time, and if left un-checked, can lead to costly repairs or even system failures.

Factors such as wind loading, freeze & thaw cycles, lightning strikes, and constant contact with chemicals & smoke can damage the masonry materials and liner of industrial chimneys & stacks. Including regular inspections by qualified chimney professionals in your annual industrial chimney maintenance programs will help identify signs of trouble early, allowing problems to be corrected before they become a costly or dangerous issue.

The interior liner, the top, breeching duct inlets, and ladders and platforms are the most damage-prone areas on an industrial chimney. These locations are the hardest to see from ground level so inspections performed with alternative access methods are the best way to get an accurate assessment of the condition of your stack. Our team of chimney technicians offer complete inspection services that include structural & chemical attack analysis, video & photograph recordings, and detailed inspection reports outlining breaches, deterioration, and potential safety issues.

Classes of Industrial Chimney Inspections

There are 3 classes of inspections for industrial chimneys and our high access specialists can help determine which level of industrial chimney inspection is the best option for your factory, plant, refinery, or adapted communications tower.

  • Class I Inspection: The first level of inspection is a visual inspection that can be performed with system on-line & operating as normal. An industrial chimney tech will perform a ground level inspection of the structure using binoculars, then move on to a close-up visual inspection from access ladders, platforms or other accessible vantage points. Infrared thermography is also used to check for hot spots on the industrial chimney that can indicated a damaged liner or gas leak. Class I Inspections should be performed every year to identify any potential problems that may be developing in the system.
  • Class II Inspection: The second class of inspection is performed with the industrial chimney off-line. Using innovative access techniques, our chimney technicians get a close look at both the outside and inside of the industrial chimney by scaling down the structure with proper rigging equipment. This allows the chimney technicians to get an accurate picture of the condition of the stack including any abnormalities, damage, or hazards. The liner and annulus are also thoroughly inspected and depending on the condition of the structure, non-destructive testing or core sampling may also be performed.

  • Class III Inspection: The most in-depth level of inspection is the Class III inspection. This class is reserved for unique circumstances that require an expansive examination for safety & stability. Any industrial chimneys that were damaged due to severe weather conditions, explosions, overheating, earthquakes or other natural disasters require a Class III inspection immediately. Also, a Class III inspection should be performed before any significant structural modifications are done such as increasing the height or adding more platforms or breechings.

Our experts also perform non-destructive testing and petrographic analysis for industrial chimneys to determine the structure integrity of the unit and provide in-depth information on characteristics of the concrete surface of any concrete industrial chimneys.

A comprehensive inspection plan is prudent for maintaining structural integrity, controlling long-term maintenance expenses, and preventing costly repairs or unplanned outages. Contact Industrial Access to discuss potential inspection programs that will suit your company or facility’s needs.

We service Commercial Chimneys and Industrial Chimneys Philadelphia, Delaware Valley, New Jersey, and the Tri-County Area. Call 215-364-0881, or click here to schedule your appointment online.