Chimney repair in brief
Chimney repair covers the parts of a chimney that wear out or get damaged. That includes cracked or crumbling mortar on a brick chimney, a split crown, loose or rusted flashing, a damaged flue liner and a sticking damper. On prefab systems it also covers the chase and a rusted chimney chase cover. We look at the whole chimney stack, explain what's failing and why, and fix it at the source instead of patching the symptom. For the full scope and process, read how chimney repair works.
What affects chimney repair in Corte Madera
- The Town of Corte Madera's roofing guidelines (coastal zone flashing requirements) require counter flashing at all vertical surfaces, including chimneys. Corte Madera's roofing guidelines state that when a tear-off inspection reveals an existing fireplace chimney is unsafe, it must be repaired, rebuilt, or replaced with an approved factory-built chimney. Source: Town of Corte Madera Community Development Department - Roofing Guidelines (2024-06-04).
What Corte Madera's roofing guidelines mean for chimney repair
The Town of Corte Madera Community Development Department's Roofing Guidelines (2024-06-04) include two points that apply directly to chimneys. Both are part of the town's roofing guidelines, so they matter most when a roof is being replaced or repaired. That's also when a chimney's flashing and lower brickwork are easiest to reach.
Counter flashing at every chimney
Under the guidelines' coastal zone flashing requirements, counter flashing is required at all vertical surfaces, including chimneys. (Source: Town of Corte Madera Community Development Department, Roofing Guidelines, 2024-06-04.)
Counter flashing is the upper layer of a two-part seal. The base or step flashing runs under the roofing and turns up the side of the chimney. The counter flashing is set into the chimney's mortar joints and laps down over it, so water running down the brick sheds onto the roof instead of getting behind the flashing. The town's Community Development Department can tell you whether the coastal zone requirements apply to your project.
This affects the repair because counter flashing is only as good as the masonry it's set into. If the mortar joints at the flashing line are soft or cracked, they need repointing before new counter flashing goes in, or the seal will fail where it meets the brick. On a reroof, that means chimney work above the roofline should be scheduled ahead of the flashing, not after it. Our flashing repair, tuckpointing and masonry repair cover that work.
When tear-off reveals an unsafe chimney
The same guidelines state that when a tear-off inspection reveals an existing fireplace chimney is unsafe, it must be repaired, rebuilt, or replaced with an approved factory-built chimney. (Source: Town of Corte Madera Community Development Department, Roofing Guidelines, 2024-06-04.)
This comes up once the old roofing is off. Problems that were hidden from the ground can show up then, such as deteriorated brick and mortar at or below the roofline, a crown that has let water into the stack, or flue damage. The guidelines allow three paths, and the right one depends on how much of the chimney is still sound.
- Repair fits when the damage is limited, such as mortar joints, a crown, flashing or a section of liner, and the structure of the stack is solid.
- Rebuild fits when the brick itself has failed, the stack is loose or leaning, or repairs would replace most of it anyway. A rebuild can run from the roofline up or cover the whole chimney.
- Replacement with an approved factory-built chimney is the third option the guidelines name.
Choosing between the first two is usually the hard part. Our guide to chimney repair vs rebuild walks through the signs that point one way or the other. With the roof already open, the simplest time to do the chimney work is before the new roofing goes back on.
Getting ahead of tear-off
If a reroof is planned, have the chimney inspected first. That gives you time to plan any repair instead of deciding mid-project. We offer chimney and fireplace inspections, including camera inspections of the flue.
Planning chimney repair around a new roof
Inspect before tear-off
Have the chimney stack, crown, flashing and flue checked while there's still time to plan the work.
Fix the masonry first
Finish the mortar joints, the crown and any rebuilt brick above the roofline before new flashing goes on, so the counter flashing is set into sound joints.
Share the scope with your roofer
Tell your roofing contractor what chimney work is planned and when, so the flashing and roofing can be scheduled around it.
Deal with the top of the chimney
Access is already set up, which makes it a convenient time to look at the crown and the cap. Details are under chimney cap installation in Corte Madera.
When a different service fits better
- A blocked chimney, with smoke backing into the room or no draft, is usually caused by debris, creosote or a nest rather than damage. Blockage removal, creosote removal or animal and nest removal will fix it. Repair only comes in if something failed, such as a collapsed liner.
- A rusted chimney chase cover on a prefab chimney usually calls for chase cover replacement rather than masonry work.
- Odd smells from the fireplace are more often a cleaning or odor problem than a repair problem.
- If you don't know what's wrong, start with an inspection. A camera inspection shows the inside of the flue before anyone recommends chimney flue repair.
Booking chimney repair in Corte Madera
We also do gas fireplace and gas appliance work and service all major fireplace brands, so a chimney that serves a gas unit is covered too.
To learn more about the work itself, read about our chimney repair service. For everything else we do in town, browse the services we offer across Corte Madera.
Sources (1)
The sources of the Corte Madera facts on this page.
- 1Town of Corte Madera Community Development Department - Roofing Guidelines (2024-06-04)
