The short answer
Where chimneys leak — and how we fix them
On a South Florida roof the chimney is a cluster of weak points, and the leak almost always starts at the junction with the roof rather than inside the flue. We address the whole detail, not just the symptom.
- Step and counter-flashing where the chimney meets the roof plane.
- Cricket/saddle flashing on the high side to divert water around it.
- Cracked or eroded chimney crowns that let water into the structure.
- Missing or damaged chimney caps that admit rain and wind-driven water.
- Worn sealant and failed prior 'caulk-only' repairs that never lasted.
Part of the roof, not an afterthought
Chimney flashing only works when it's integrated into the surrounding roof material to HVHZ-compliant detailing. We handle it as part of the roof system — which is why our chimney repairs hold up through storm season instead of reopening after the next big rain.
When the code requires a cricket
A wide chimney acts like a dam across the roof slope. Water and debris pile up against its upslope face, and that is where a flat back pan or a sealant line fails first. A cricket, also called a saddle, is a small peaked ridge behind the chimney that splits the flow and sends it around both sides.
The Florida Building Code, Residential (8th edition, 2023) makes it mandatory past a certain size. Section R903.2.2 requires a cricket or saddle on the ridge side of any chimney or penetration more than 30 inches wide, measured perpendicular to the slope, covered in sheet metal or the same material as the roof. If your chimney is wider than that and has no cricket, a leak there is a design problem that resealing won't fix, so we build the cricket as part of the repair.
Official sources
Use these official sources to check current rules and requirements. What applies depends on your property, permitting authority and policy; cost ranges on this page are editorial planning estimates.
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Your questions, answered.
How much does chimney flashing repair cost?
Most chimney repairs in Coconut Creek run $350–$2,500. Resealing and minor flashing work is at the low end; full re-flashing, a new crown, or a cricket on a tile roof is at the upper end. A free inspection tells you exactly what the chimney needs.
Why is my roof leaking near the chimney?
Because the flashing there has failed. The chimney interrupts the roof plane, and the metal flashing that seals that junction degrades under UV and wind. We re-flash and integrate it into your roof material rather than relying on sealant alone.
Does my chimney need a cricket?
If it is more than 30 inches wide measured across the slope, yes. Florida Building Code, Residential (8th edition, 2023) Section R903.2.2 requires a cricket or saddle on the ridge side of any chimney or penetration that wide. Narrower chimneys can still benefit from one when debris or water collects behind them.