Chimney Flashing Repair — Arlington Heights, IL
Chimney Flashing Repair.
Step flashing, counter flashing, and custom copper fabrication. If your chimney leaks after rain, failed flashing is the most likely cause — and the most fixable one.
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How to Tell If Your Chimney Flashing Needs Replacing
Flashing failure rarely announces itself until water damage is already underway. These are the signs that warrant an inspection — the sooner it’s addressed, the less damage reaches the framing and drywall below.
- Water stains near chimney on ceiling
- Visible rust or gaps in metal flashing
- Caulk cracked or pulling away
- Flashing lifting from mortar joints
- Leak only occurs during or after rain
- Flashing over 20 years old
- Black staining on chimney exterior
"Most chimney leaks aren't a chimney problem — they're a flashing problem. And most flashing failures come from one shortcut: caulk used where metal should be."
Chimney Flashing Repair — Illinois
Why Chimneys Leak in the Chicago Suburbs
A chimney is one of the roof’s most vulnerable penetration points. The only thing keeping water out is flashing — a two-layer metal system that fails fast when shortcuts are taken. In Illinois, freeze-thaw cycles stress every joint every winter.
Diagnosis before repair
We identify whether the source is flashing, mortar, the chimney cap, or a roof issue above. We fix the actual cause, not just the symptom.
Two-layer system
Step flashing and counter flashing — Both layers are required. Step flashing handles the wall-to-roof joint; counter flashing handles water from above. We never install one without the other.
Custom-fabricated metal
Fabricated on-site to your chimney’s exact geometry. Stock pieces leave gaps at corners that fail within a few seasons.
Aluminum, galvanized steel, or copper
We fabricate in all three. Copper lasts 50+ years with zero maintenance. We’ll recommend the right material for your home and budget.
Three Materials.
One Right Choice.
We fabricate chimney flashing in aluminum, galvanized steel, and copper. The right choice depends on your home’s age, style, existing flashing, and how long you want the repair to last.
Material 01
Aluminum
The standard choice for most residential repairs. Lightweight, corrosion-resistant, and paintable to match trim or roofing. Fabricated on-site to exact chimney dimensions. The practical choice for most Illinois homes.
Material 02
Galvanized Steel
Heavier and more rigid than aluminum. A good choice for large chimneys, commercial applications, and situations where structural strength of the flashing matters. Requires painting to prevent long-term rust.
Material 03
Copper
The premium option. Copper never rusts, develops a protective patina over time, and typically outlasts the roof by decades. Zero maintenance after installation — no painting, no resealing. The right choice for high-end homes, historic properties, and anyone who wants to solve the problem once.
Custom Fabrication
Copper Flashing, Fabricated In-House
We fabricate copper chimney flashing in-house — not sourced from pre-formed stock pieces. Every run is cut and formed to the exact geometry of your chimney, including saddle pieces at the uphill side, step flashing along both sides, and counter flashing embedded into the mortar joints.
Built to your chimney's exact dimensions
Corners, transitions, and saddle flashing are formed on-site. No adapting stock pieces around geometry they weren’t designed for.
Common on higher-end suburban homes
Frequently specified in Barrington, Lake Forest, Winnetka, and Hinsdale where architectural detailing warrants a long-lasting premium material.
The last flashing your chimney will need
Copper installed correctly outlasts the roof, the chimney, and most other components of the house. One job, done right, for decades.
When to Call Us
vs. Wait and Watch
Not every chimney issue requires immediate repair — but some do. Here’s how to read the signs and decide when to act.
Act Now
Water is already inside
Ceiling stains, wet drywall, or visible water near the chimney base mean moisture has already reached framing. The longer it stays, the more structure is at risk.
Act Now
Flashing is visibly failing
Lifting metal, open gaps, cracked caulk with no backing metal underneath, or rusted-through flashing will not survive another Illinois winter.
Schedule soon
Flashing over 20 years old
Even without visible symptoms, flashing at this age warrants inspection before winter. Catching it before it fails costs significantly less than repairing water damage after.
Monitor
Minor surface caulk weathering
If the metal flashing is sound and the caulk bead at the top edge is just showing surface weathering, resealing alone may be sufficient. We’ll tell you honestly at the inspection.
What Clients Say
Real homeowners. Real completed projects. No paid ratings.
Chimney Flashing FAQ
What Illinois homeowners ask us before scheduling a chimney flashing repair.
Why is my chimney leaking after rain?
The most common cause is failed or improperly installed flashing — the metal seal where the chimney meets the roof. Failure allows water to travel down the chimney chase and into the ceiling or walls below. Other causes include cracked mortar joints, a damaged chimney cap, or caulk that has deteriorated with no metal backing. We diagnose the exact source before any repair work begins.
How do I know if my chimney flashing needs replacing?
Key signs include water stains on the ceiling near the chimney, visible rust or gaps in the metal flashing, caulk that has cracked or pulled away, flashing that is lifting or not embedded in the mortar joints, and any active leak during or after rain. If your chimney flashing is more than 20–25 years old, an inspection is worthwhile even without visible damage — catching it before it fails is always cheaper than repairing what it damages afterward.
What is the difference between step flashing and counter flashing?
Step flashing consists of individual L-shaped metal pieces woven into each course of shingles along the sides of the chimney — directing water away from the wall-to-roof joint. Counter flashing is the second layer embedded into the chimney mortar joints, overlapping the step flashing from above. Both are required. A common shortcut is caulk or a single piece of flashing — this always fails in Illinois winters.
How much does chimney flashing repair cost in Illinois?
Basic resealing or caulk replacement typically runs $200–$500. Partial step or counter flashing replacement runs $400–$900 depending on chimney size and accessibility. Full flashing replacement with custom-fabricated metal runs $600–$1,500 for most residential chimneys. Copper flashing costs more due to material, but lasts 50+ years. We provide detailed line-item estimates after inspecting the chimney.
Can you fabricate custom copper chimney flashing?
Yes. We fabricate custom chimney flashing in-house from aluminum, galvanized steel, or copper. Copper is the premium choice — it never rusts, develops a protective patina, and typically outlasts the roof itself. Custom fabrication ensures the flashing fits the exact geometry of your chimney rather than adapting stock pieces that often don’t seal correctly at corners and transitions.
Chimney Leak?
Let's Find It.
Step flashing, counter flashing, and custom copper fabrication. We diagnose the source, repair it correctly, and fabricate metal to your chimney’s exact dimensions — no caulk-only shortcuts. Arlington Heights · Schaumburg · Palatine · Barrington · Northbrook.
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Mon–Fri 8am–5pm