Most leaks start at the chimney.
Old chimneys move, mortar crumbles, and flashing that was tarred over in 1985 gave up years ago. Proper flashing is cut into the brick, not caulked to its face.
Why tar fails
Roofing tar and caulk on chimney flashing work for a season or two, then crack as the chimney and the roof move separately. Real flashing is two layers: step flashing tucked under each course of roofing, and counter flashing set into a cut in the mortar joint and folded down over it.
Masonry
If the brick or mortar is failing, flashing won’t hold. We’ll tell you, and we work with a mason we trust when the chimney needs repointing or rebuilding above the roof.
Prices
Stain by the chimney? It’s the flashing.
The heritage roofing site, built in seven days.
Sixteen pages: three materials compared by lifespan, a repair-before-replace argument, ice dams explained for Maine, and Portland’s historic districts covered.