Chimney's Done Right: Chimney Crickets & Hand Soldered Chimneys

Let’s talk about the importance of a tightly sealed chimney and the benefits it offers. We will look at installation options that take your home to the next level and provide a worry free install. By the end you will not only see the benefits of these roofing procedures, but you will fully understand what they are and why you need them to protect your home. Let’s explore what it takes to make sure that your home is protected when you move forward with your next roof replacement or repair.

Chimney Crickets:

What Is A Cricket?

You may be asking yourself what is a chimney cricket anyway? A chimney cricket is sometimes referred to as a roof saddle or chimney diverter. Crickets are small angled roofing structures, typically installed on the uphill slope of the chimney.

Chimney Cricket Example

Chimney Cricket Example

Chimney Cricket Example

Chimney crickets are constructed by building a wood sloped structure that sits behind the chimney on the slope running up to it. The height of the cricket is determined by the slope of the roof that it sits on.  The cricket is then covered by weather-resistant materials like aluminum, galvanized steel, copper or sometimes even shingles to provide a seamless finished look. Flashing is then installed around the cricket to further weatherproof the area where the chimney and cricket meet.

Chimney Cricket Diagram

Chimney Cricket Build Example

It is important to remember that if you have cracks or loose mortar on your chimney it is imperative that these issues are repaired as well. Cracks in the chimney cannot stop water from penetrating the chimney even if flashing is installed, so having your chimney evaluated at this time is also a smart decision.

Chimney Issue Examples

Chimney Loose Mortar Example

Chimney cracking bricks example

Chimney cracking example

Why Might I Need A Cricket?

The sole purpose of a chimney cricket is to divert water, snow and debris from accumulating and pooling round the chimney, which can cause leaks and interior damage that no one wants. Crickets are fantastic in helping to prevent ice damming which can cause significant damage to the roof & interior of your home. Not only do crickets protect your roofing system and interior, but they also protect the integrity of the chimney itself. A cricket can help protect the bricks, mortar, and flue of the chimney from the repeated buildup of water and snow accumulation. 

Not every chimney will need a chimney cricket, so it’s best to consult with a trusted roofer. Building codes often require a cricket if a chimney is wider than 30 inches or on a sloped roof that butts up to a chimney. Keep in mind that just because a chimney might not meet those requirements, does not mean that your roofer may not recommend one anyway as a precaution, especially if you have already been dealing with recurrent leak issues around your chimney. Remember that it never hurts to get a second opinion or take an extra precaution for peace of mind when it comes to the installation of your roofing system. Crickets can prevent costly repairs and create a safe and efficient chimney system.

How much will adding a cricket cost me?

Of course you want to know how much this is going to cost. Here’s the good news, if you are considering purchasing a full roof replacement a cricket can be added for as little as $225.00 per chimney. Since most of the materials are already being purchased for the replacement anyway and removal of the area is already taking place, there is typically enough material to add a cricket for a small up-charge.

The bad news… a repair, to add a cricket, can run upwards of $1,800.00. To install a cricket correctly during a repair, shingles have to be carefully removed in the affected area. On top of the removal, materials must be purchased and while only a small amount of material may be needed, unfortunately sometimes these materials are sold in bulk and create a higher cost to purchase. Attempting to build a cricket over existing shingles is a recipe for disaster. Adding a cricket over shingles will create holes in the existing shingles and you risk adding another potential leak issue at which point adding the cricket will potentially fix one problem while causing another.

This is why it is imperative to get your roof evaluated by a professional roofer before your next roof replacement. Having your chimney evaluated for a cricket at the time of estimation can potentially save you lots of money in the long run should you run into an issue. For a fraction of the cost you can save yourself a lot of headaches by doing it right the first time.

Hand Soldered Chimneys:

What Does It Mean To Hand Solder A Chimney?

Hand soldering a chimney is the best technique to creating watertight seals where the chimney meets the roof at the flashings. During installation the roofing professional will take a soldering iron or torch, flux and solder wire to create a strong, watertight, durable bond to keep water out of the roofing system and chimney. In case you are wondering, flux is a chemical substance cleans metal surfaces, removes oxides, and promotes the flow of solder, ensuring a strong bond. Flux acts as a cleaning agent to prepare the metal for soldering. 

Chimney soldering example

Chimney soldering example

Chimney soldering example

Chimney soldering example

Chimney soldering example

Hand Soldering vs Mortar Seal

Hand soldering is the most effective way to create a watertight seal around the flashings where the chimney meets the roof. Solder is time tested and a proven method of fusing metal flashings. Soldering has watertight and air-tight seams once the solder cools and hardens. The fuse that conjoins the metal makes an impermeable seal keeping water out of your home. Changes in temperature and added variable weather conditions will cause mortar to crack, split and loosen allowing water to get in and leak into your house. Once water gets behind caulking, it can go through a freeze thaw cycle in winter weather conditions leaving your roof flashings vulnerable to leaks, causing failure. Here at RSG Roofing we only recommend a hand soldered chimney for the best seal possible.

How much will hand soldering my chimney cost me?

Here at RSG Roofing we hand solder every chimney as part of our installation process on roof installs at no additional cost. We want the best quality product we can offer at a price that is affordable to all. Customer satisfaction is a big part of what we represent and this is one way we can show you our intentions from the start. Creating peace of mind before the install even begins is sure to help you make the easy choice, getting the install done right the first time.

Chimney Removal Option:

Another option is chimney removal. It is important to talk with your trusted roofer about whether or not chimney removal is an option for your replacement. Things a good roofer will consider is whether your furnace or hot water heater vent through said chimney. While it may seem easier to just be done with it, it may not be an option and should be consulted with a professional. A chimney removal is an additional cost and starts at a minimum of $500.00, but could mean less issues in the future for leaks.

Ready To Take The Leap?

If you are ready to make the next step in protecting your next home improvement purchase, give RSG Roofing a call today or schedule a free estimate. Our goal is to bring your roofing system to top standards and do what will work best for your home on an individual basis. Each roof requires an a approach and we will be your stepping stone to making the right decision. We promise you will see the quality in the care we provide on your next roof installation. We offer a top notch install, with all the bells and whistles, at a comparable price.