Our Company Blog

Does Your Chimney Need a Cricket?

When you hear the term “chimney cricket,” you may think of the old tradition that dates back to pre-colonial England about a chirping insect inside the fireplace. According to this tradition, it is lucky to have a cricket in your home, especially near the chimney. However, we are referring to another type of chimney cricket. This cricket is on the roof as part of a flashing system, and it works to protect your chimney from water leak.

For over 25 years, Atlas Chimney has specialized in taking care of the leaky chimneys across the Austin area. We also repair and construct customized flashing including chimney cricket. We would like to tell you more about chimney crickets and their importance in your masonry chimney.

Does my chimney need a cricket?

Not every chimney needs a cricket. If your chimney is 30 inches or more wide, the NFPA 211 Standards and the International Residential Code state that a cricket must be constructed to certain specifications. A properly-constructed cricket keeps water away from the chimney by directing it down the sides of the roof. This allows you to avoid water leaking into the attic and ceilings. Without a cricket, you are at an increased risk of water damage to your home. This could mean stained ceilings and walls, damaged bricks and mortar joints, and rotted wood. If you suspect a chimney leak, then you need to contact the team at Atlas Chimney as soon as possible.

What can I expect from my appointment with Atlas Chimney?

When our professionals arrive at your home, we will do a water leak inspection of your chimney to find the source of the leak. Even if your chimney is less than 30 inches wide, you may still need a cricket if we find that water is leaking through the flashing. After we take precise measurements of the area, we will construct and install a cricket. If your flashing is damaged, we can make repairs or build a new one. You can count on us to properly customize the flashing to your chimney and to install it to protect your home from water leaks.

Keep water out of your chimney by investing in a chimney cricket in your flashing system. If you suspect a leaky chimney, contact us today at Atlas Chimney to schedule an appointment!

We Rebuild Wood Chimney Chases

There is a good chance you have a prefabricated chimney and fireplace system if your home is less than 30 years old. Most homes with prefab chimneys include a chimney chase that protects the metal exhaust pipes. These chases can be constructed from various materials, including metal, bricks, and wood. Over time, chases can suffer from erosion and water damage, and wooden chimney chases can be particularly susceptible to deterioration. For over two decades, Atlas Chimney has provided high-quality professional chimney maintenance, repair, and installation services to the Austin area. Our technicians have experience with rebuilding wooden chimney chases and are certified by the CSIA. Read on to learn more about the most vulnerable spots on your chase for water leaks and what to expect from our repair services.

What are the most common problems with wood chimney chases?

According to Inspectapedia, improper construction is often the reason behind most water leak damage of wooden chimney chases. A properly sloped chase cover is one of the most important aspects of a chase because it allows water to drain away from the chimney chase. Another common chase construction problem has to do with flashing. Flashing consists of overlapping metal sheets around the chase where it meets the roof. Without a customized flashing system, your wood-framed chimney chase is vulnerable to water penetration damage and deterioration. Unfortunately, leaks at the top of the chimney chase can take a long time to be noticed, and this increases the risk of insect infestation, mold, mildew, and rotted wood.

What can I expect from Atlas Chimney’s wood chimney chase rebuilding services?

You can count on our chimney professionals to remove any damaged wooden panels from the chase and replace them. We take great care to follow every measurement, building codes, and fire safety requirements when rebuilding wood chimney chases. To protect your repaired chase, we can install a new cover that will keep water from leaking into the chimney. We have a variety of covers from galvanized steel, copper, to stainless steel and fits the exact measurements that ensure proper fit and protection.

Protect your wooden chimney chase by contacting us today at Atlas Chimney and schedule an appointment. Your prefabricated chimney is in good hands and we can’t wait to help you out!