step flashing

I was in my attic over the weekend and noticed some water drops on the step flashing on my chimney. I had my roof done last year and new step flashing was installed around both my chimneys. I can see the step flashing and some tar from in my attic. We just had some heavy snow 8". The other chimney is dry. I would assume that I should see no water at all, correct? I thought maybe ice dam could be the problem. The snow melt area around this chimney is the same as the other. It is not warm enough yet for me to go up on the roof and inspect from up top yet. Besides giving the contractor a call, which I did. What should I inspect. Thanks. By the way I have noticed no leaks when it has rained heavy.

 

sounds like condinsation,they must of missed a spot with the tar,metal will condinsate where some of the metal is outside and some of the metal is getting heat from the house on it,if you have nails sticking through the roof decking they will also condinsate.(normal)

 

Thanks Roofdog for the reply. I was able to get up on the roof the other day. The flashing looks great, no missing areas that I can see. They did regular step flashing and on top of that visible at the roof is I guess counter flashing that goes up approx 8"-10" on all sides of the chimney and is sealed with silicone. The other chimney started leaking inside as well. There is enough of a leak that it got some insulation wet from the droplets. The chimneys are in pretty poor shape. They both need to be repointed and the cement crowns have some cracks. I have filled these cracks in the past with some silicone. But there are new ones. Could we have some moisture entering from porous brick/mortar/cement and wicking its way down? We are supposed to have rain tonight and tomorrow. I will reinspect tomorrow afternoon. What about a brick/mortar sealer? Do they work? Any help most appreciated.

 

i think you might need a brick layer forum,if all the flashing is good then its out of my hands.

 

Got up on the roof over the weekend and made a couple of observations. The chimneys are located approx 24" from the ridge of the roof. I noticed some moisture in the silicone when squeezed in this area of the flashing. I am wondering if the placement of the chimneys are creating a natural dam and causing my problem. Could cricket or backer flashing be a better choice for this area of the chimney? There are some gaps in the silicone for the flashing where some windblown snow could have penetrated. Any recommendations on silicone to use and whether it can be applied in cold temps. Last year had minimal snow and all summer/fall we had plenty of rain and no problems. Problems started after a 8" snowfall and cold rain afterwards. Thanks.

 

well...when i put new metal flashing on chimneys i seal the area where the brick and the roof deck meet with tar about 4" on the deck and 4" on the brick,then put ice sheild over that,then before i put the flashing on i tar the chimney where the flashing will go,(make sure flashing fits before you stick it in tar)only where the metal goes in the mortar do i use caulk, caulk metal and brick don`t go together well,sure it will stick for the summer.

 

Thanks. What is my best course of action? Should I tar the hell out of it for the winter and do a more permanent repair in the spring? What is everyone's opinion on cricket/back/saddle flashing between the chimney and the ridge? What is the best repair. I know they did not put an ice/water membrane around the chimney. From what I can tell its tar paper, black roofing tar/silicone, step flashing, then the counter flashing which is attached with silicone.

 

tar is so hard to clean,as for the saddle or cricket i`d have to see it.
Got Digital?

 

Unfortunately I do not have a digital camera. I will get more info this weekend if it will help-roof pitch, exact measurements of chimney and placement. I am trying to work this out with my roofer but I want to be well versed in my options. This seems to have been an ongoing problem as there is plenty of evidence of water intrusion in this area- sheetrock patches, detoriated masonary, etc. He is a nice guy and a family friend but tends to cut corners. I have no drip edge, there is no ice and water shield around my chimneys, there is some sheathing I would have changed. Price was not an issue and I made that clear to him. But that was a year ago and I was under the gun and lot less knowledgable. Thank you Roofdog. You have been a gentleman.

 

your welcome!