King Roof Care repairs fireplace chimney flashing, the metal that seals the joint between a chimney and the roof, for homes in Kirkland, Bothell, Everett, Issaquah and Redmond, WA. The Bellevue-based roofer also installs new chimney flashing during roof replacements. It offers free roof assessments and estimates before any work begins. The company says it contacts customers within 30 minutes of a quote request.
What Fireplace Chimney Flashing Does and How the Parts Fit Together
Fireplace chimney flashing is the set of metal pieces that seals the gap where a masonry or framed chimney passes through the roof. Roofing material and chimney walls move differently and are built from different materials. Flashing bridges that joint so rain runs down the roof instead of into the attic.
| Flashing component | Where it sits | What a roofer checks |
|---|---|---|
| Apron (base) flashing | Along the downhill face of the chimney, lapping onto the roofing below | Gaps at the corners, lifted edges, corrosion |
| Step flashing | Along each side of the chimney, one piece per course of shingles | Missing or bent pieces, pieces not woven with the shingles |
| Counter flashing | Set into or fastened to the chimney, lapping over the step flashing | Loose fasteners, pulled-out edges, dried or cracked sealant at the top edge |
| Back pan or cricket (saddle) | On the uphill side of the chimney, where water collects before flowing around it | Debris buildup, holes, standing water, rust |
Signs That Chimney Flashing on a Roof May Be Failing
Chimney flashing problems usually show up indoors before anyone sees them on the roof. Water that gets past the flashing can travel along rafters or sheathing before it drips. A stain on a ceiling may therefore appear some distance from the chimney itself.
- Water stains on the ceiling or walls near the fireplace or chimney chase
- Damp or darkened wood around the chimney opening, seen from the attic
- Drips that appear during rain, especially wind-driven rain
- Flashing that looks lifted, bent or separated from the chimney when viewed from the ground with binoculars
- Sealant at the top of the counter flashing that looks cracked or pulled away
- Debris piling up on the uphill side of the chimney
Repair or Replace Flashing on a Roof: A Decision Checklist
Deciding whether to fix or replace chimney flashing depends on the condition of the metal, the roofing around it and how long the roof itself has left. A roofer makes that call after looking at the chimney up close, but homeowners can use the questions below to follow the reasoning in an estimate.
- Is the damage limited to one corner, one seam or a few step pieces?
- Is the metal itself sound, or is it rusted through or torn?
- Has the area been patched with sealant before, and did the patch fail?
- Is the roofing next to the chimney still in good shape, or is it brittle and damaged?
- Is a roof replacement already planned in the near future? If so, new flashing may make more sense as part of that project.
- Has water damaged the sheathing under the flashing? Rotten wood has to be addressed before any new flashing goes on.
What to Ask and Compare in a Chimney Flashing Estimate
A chimney flashing estimate from any roofer should spell out exactly which parts of the flashing will be repaired or replaced. Two quotes that both say "fix chimney flashing" can describe very different amounts of work. King Roof Care provides free, no-obligation roof assessments and transparent estimates before any work begins, which gives homeowners a clear scope to compare.
- Which components are included: apron, step, counter flashing, back pan or cricket?
- Will the old flashing be removed, or will new pieces be layered over it?
- How will the counter flashing be attached to the chimney?
- What happens if damaged sheathing is found once the old flashing comes off?
- Which roofing material surrounds the chimney, and how will it be matched or reinstalled?
- Is sealant the main fix, or a finishing detail on properly lapped metal?
- Who is responsible for cleanup of old metal and debris?
How Much Chimney Flashing Repair Costs in Kirkland, Bothell, Everett, Issaquah and Redmond
No sourced price figure for chimney flashing repair alone is available for this page, so no dollar amount is given here. The only national planning figures in the references cover other kinds of roofing work, and they would be misleading if applied to a flashing job.
Common Chimney Flashing Mistakes That Cause Rework
Chimney flashing repairs fail early most often because of shortcuts, not because of the metal itself. Knowing the common mistakes helps homeowners ask better questions and recognize a quick fix that may lead to a second visit.
- Relying on caulk or roofing cement alone to seal a gap that needs properly lapped metal
- Installing one long piece of metal along the side of the chimney where separate step pieces woven with the shingles are needed
- Fastening flashing in a way that ties it rigidly to both the roof and the chimney, so movement can break the seal
- Reusing corroded or torn flashing because it is still in place
- Covering wet or soft sheathing with new flashing instead of fixing the wood first
- Ignoring debris buildup on the uphill side of the chimney, which can hold water against the joint
- Treating a stain as proof of a flashing leak without checking nearby vents, skylights or roofing
Preparing for a Chimney Flashing Visit in the Service Area
Preparing for a chimney flashing visit from King Roof Care takes only a few simple steps, and they help the roofer find the problem faster. Clear notes about when and where water appears are often as useful as anything seen on the roof.
King Roof Care is a registered Washington construction contractor, L&I registration KINGRRC782QA, which homeowners can check through the Washington L&I verify tool. The company was rated 4.9 out of 5 on Google as of 2026-10-05.
- Write down when the leak shows up: during steady rain, heavy wind or only after long storms
- Take photos of any ceiling or wall stains, with dates
- Clear a path to the attic hatch so the underside of the roof near the chimney can be checked
- Move furniture and valuables away from any area that is dripping
- Keep pets and vehicles clear of the side of the house where ladders will go
- Stay off the roof yourself; binoculars from the ground are safer
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to fix flashing on a chimney?
The cost to fix flashing on a chimney has no sourced figure on this page, because the available national references cover other roofing work. The price depends on how many flashing components need work, the roofing material, access and any hidden wood damage. King Roof Care provides free roof assessments and estimates before any work begins.
Does chimney flashing need to be replaced?
Chimney flashing needs replacement when the metal is corroded, torn or missing pieces, or when repeated patches have failed. Isolated problems on otherwise sound flashing can often be repaired instead. King Roof Care repairs flashing around chimneys and installs new chimney flashing as part of roof replacement.
What should flashing look like on a chimney?
Flashing on a chimney should sit flat and continuous around all sides, with an apron along the downhill face, step pieces along the sides woven with the roofing, and counter flashing lapping over the step pieces from the chimney. Lifted edges, gaps or heavy rust are reasons to have it inspected, though appearance alone does not confirm a leak.
Does chimney flashing go over or under shingles?
Chimney flashing works with the shingles in layers. Step flashing pieces are typically woven between shingle courses along the sides, the apron at the downhill face laps over the roofing below, and counter flashing from the chimney laps over the step flashing. The layering lets water shed downhill without reaching the joint.