Chimney Leak Repair in Winnipeg
A water stain on the ceiling beside the chimney usually comes from one of four places: the flashing, the crown, an open flue or the brick itself. We'll work out which one before fixing anything, so you won't be paying to repair the wrong part.
Ballpark
- Flashing repair
- $500 to $1,500
- Chimney cap
- $250 to $600
- Crown sealing
- $300 to $800
- Active leak
- Temporary fix first
Finding the source
Where the Water Is Getting In
Where the water shows up inside gives a good clue, and a look from the roof usually settles it.
The flashing
The metal where the roof meets the chimney comes in two layers. Step flashing is woven into the shingles, and counter-flashing is set into the mortar joints and lapped over it. When the counter-flashing pulls out of the joint, or it was only ever held on with caulking that has since dried out, water runs in behind it. Stains on the ceiling right beside the chimney usually point here.
The crown
A cracked or mortar crown lets water straight into the middle of the chimney, where it can travel down and come out well below the roof. More on crown repair.
An open flue
Without a cap, rain and snow fall straight down the flue. Water in the firebox, a rusty damper or wet soot after a storm usually means the chimney needs a cap.
The brick and mortar
Old brick and open joints soak up water, and a long, windy rain can push enough through to show up inside. That calls for repointing and sometimes a breathable water repellent.
Flashing done properly
How We Fix Chimney Flashing
New step flashing goes in with the shingles, one piece per course, so each piece laps the one below it. The counter-flashing is then set into a groove cut into a mortar joint and sealed there, so it holds on its own rather than relying on a bead of caulking across the face of the brick.
Wide chimneys that sit partway down a roof often need a cricket, which is a small peaked section of roof on the uphill side that sends water and snow around the chimney. Without one, snow piles up behind the chimney all winter, and the meltwater in March and April is when a lot of flashing leaks finally show up inside.
Flashing repair or replacement runs about $500 to $1,500, more if the roofing around it needs work. See the cost guide.
FAQ
Chimney Leak Questions
If your question isn't here, call and ask. It's a quick conversation and there's no charge for it.
(431) 441-8780
Why does my chimney only leak sometimes?
That's very common. Leaks that only show up in heavy rain from one direction come from wind-driven water getting into the brick and open joints. Leaks in spring often come from snow melting behind the chimney on the uphill side. Telling us when it leaks helps narrow down where the water gets in.
Can't I just put more caulking around the flashing?
It can stop a drip for a while, but caulking on its own dries out and cracks within a season or two in our weather. A lasting fix has the counter-flashing set into the mortar joints, so it sheds water without depending on the caulking.
Should a roofer or a mason fix chimney flashing?
Either can, and it often takes a bit of both, because the step flashing is part of the roof and the counter-flashing is part of the chimney. If you're having the roof redone anyway, that's the best time to get the flashing done properly.
How much does chimney leak repair cost in Winnipeg?
It depends on where the water is coming from. As ballparks, flashing repair or replacement is about $500 to $1,500, a cap is about $250 to $600, and sealing a cracked crown is about $300 to $800. Finding the actual source first is what keeps the bill down.
Free estimate
Tell us what your chimney is doing
Describe what you're seeing, or give us a call. We'll come out, get on your roof for a proper look, and give you a written price before anything is booked.
Rather talk it through? Call or text(431) 441-8780