Upper Arlington homes built from the 1920s through 1960s often feature brick chimneys tied into asphalt or slate roofs. The humid continental climate brings repeated freeze-thaw cycles that crack counter flashing and lift step flashing, allowing water to enter at the chimney-roof intersection. In neighborhoods such as Arlington Ridge and River Ridge, mature trees drop debris that traps moisture against the flashing, accelerating corrosion on both copper and aluminum profiles.
When we reach a job from our Reed Rd base we first check the cricket or saddle behind the chimney, a detail frequently omitted or undersized on Franklin County homes. We remove failed sealant, re-secure or replace the step flashing, and reinstall counter flashing with proper overlap and hemmed edges. Work near Tremont or the Public Library frequently requires scaffolding on sloped lots where soil movement from seasonal moisture changes can shift the chimney base slightly.
Columbus-area code requires flashing to extend at least 6 inches under the roof covering and 4 inches up the chimney. We verify these dimensions on every repair and note any masonry deterioration that would allow water to bypass new flashing. Homeowners in Worthington and Grandview Heights often discover the problem only after interior staining appears, so we photograph the hidden ledger and explain exactly what failed before any work begins.
Technician insight
In Upper Arlington the thing that catches most people out with chimney flashing repair is the way our freeze-thaw winters push the chimney slightly away from the roof on the north side of homes in Arlington Ridge and River Ridge, opening a gap that standard sealant alone never holds.
North-facing chimney leak after March thaw
Water stains appeared on the ceiling of a 1950s brick home near Northam Park. We found the north-side step flashing had lifted from repeated ice expansion. We replaced the flashing, rebuilt the cricket with proper slope, and sealed the counter flashing into sound mortar joints. No further interior moisture has been reported.
How it works
- 1
Site Assessment
We inspect the chimney-roof junction from both inside the attic and on the roof, checking for ice-dam residue, rotted sheathing, and the condition of existing step and counter flashing.
- 2
Material Removal
Failed flashing and old sealant are taken out without damaging surrounding slate or asphalt shingles common on Upper Arlington roofs.
- 3
Flashing Fabrication and Install
New step flashing is woven into the roof courses and new counter flashing is mortared or screwed into the chimney with proper slope and overlap.
- 4
Seal and Verify
All seams receive compatible sealant, the cricket is confirmed functional, and attic insulation is checked for hidden moisture before we leave the site.
Pricing
Upfront quotes based on roof pitch, chimney height, and material choice; no hidden trip charges within Upper Arlington.