Metro Detroit’s Masonry Q&A Hub

The concrete cap on top of my chimney has thin cracks across it. Do I need chimney repair for something like that?

Answer

Short answer? Yes, it’s worth looking at. That top cap is what keeps water out of your chimney. In Royal Oak, once cracks start forming up there, water gets in and the damage works its way down.

Chimney repair might mean sealing it if it’s minor, or rebuilding that top section if it’s breaking apart. The key is keeping water from getting inside the brick. The longer it’s exposed, the more expensive it gets. Chimneys always tell you early — you just have to listen.

Small chunks of cement keep from my chimney onto my roof. How serious is that?

Answer

That’s a sign the upper part of the chimney is deteriorating. It’s likely that your chimney crown has cracks & has begun falling apart. This often happens on homes in Livonia after years of exposure to weather. Having your chimney inspection is recommended. You didn’t mention any leaks so that’s a good sign but we’d guess a leak isn’t too far behind if pieces of your chimney have begun to fall away. Ignoring it allows damage to move downward making it a larger chimney repair as time passes.

My roofer said some bricks near my chimney flashing need to be fixed before they can finish their work. Why does that matter?

Answer

Roofers need solid brick to properly install flashing around a chimney. Cracked or loose bricks behind the flashing won’t provide a sturdy surface for the flashing to hold & will create a weak seal. If the brick isn’t stable, water can continue to get in even after roofing work is done. Once the bricks are replaced, the roofer can complete their work properly & can be confident they’re leaving you with properly installed flashing.

You’re actually lucky to have hired your particular roofer. We’ve had customers get chimney leaks because their roofer went ahead & put flashing on damaged bricks and never told their customer about the damaged bricks.

You might want to buy your roofer a cup of coffee for saving you from a future headache.