Slate Roof Leaks Around Chimneys
Chimneys are one of the most common leak spots on older Pittsburgh homes. Water can come through the roof flashing, the chimney cap, cracked mortar, or porous brick. Sorting out which one matters before anything is replaced.
Signs you might notice
- Stains on ceilings or walls next to the chimney
- Water in the attic along the chimney sides
- Loose, missing or tar-covered metal at the chimney base
- Crumbling mortar or missing chimney cap
Common causes
- Worn step or counter-flashing where roof meets brick
- Missing cricket (saddle) behind a wide chimney
- Cracked crown, missing cap or open mortar joints
- Slate near the chimney that is broken or slipped
What a slate professional should check
- 1.Flashing on all four sides of the chimney
- 2.Whether a cricket is present on the uphill side
- 3.Visible masonry and cap condition
- 4.Slate courses around the chimney
Repair options
Some chimney leaks are solved with new copper flashing and resetting slate. Others need masonry or cap work as well. The roofer may recommend a mason if the brick itself is the entry point.
Final scope depends on an in-person assessment. Nothing on this page is a diagnosis of your roof.
Questions homeowners ask
- Is a chimney leak a roof problem or a masonry problem?
- It can be either, or both. The flashing, cap, crown and mortar all need to be looked at together.
- What is a chimney cricket?
- A small peaked section behind a chimney that sheds water around it so it does not pool against the brick.