What's happening
Flashing is the layered metal that seals the joint between your chimney and the roof. When it's installed correctly — stepped into the shingles and counter-flashed into the mortar joints — it's watertight for decades. When it's face-nailed and caulked instead, every hard rain finds its way behind it, and the resulting stain shows up on the ceiling near the chimney, fooling homeowners into thinking the masonry is leaking.
The short version: diagnose the real cause first — then fix that, not a guess. We start every job with an inspection.
What causes it
Caulk-only "repairs"
Tar or caulk smeared over flashing fails in a few seasons and traps water behind it.
Improper step/counter-flashing
Flashing not woven into the shingles or set into the mortar joints leaves an open path for water.
Rust & storm damage
Old galvanized flashing rusts through; wind lifts poorly fastened pieces.
Why it matters
Flashing leaks rot roof sheathing and framing, stain ceilings, and feed mold — often well away from the chimney itself, which makes them deceptively expensive to chase if misdiagnosed.
How we fix it
We strip the old flashing, cut fresh reglets into the mortar joints, and install woven step flashing with counter-flashing set into the masonry and sealed for our freeze-thaw climate. Done right, a flashing repair ends a chronic leak for a fraction of the interior repairs it would otherwise force.
Local, licensed, and inspection-first
Chimney Goat is a family-owned, licensed and insured, CSIA-certified chimney company based in Quincy, MA. We take an inspection-first approach — we look (often with a camera) and show you photos before recommending anything — and we offer same-day service when available plus 24/7 emergency support. It's how we've earned a 5.0★ rating across the South Shore.
Inspection-first
We diagnose the real cause with photos before any work or quote.
Licensed & insured
Massachusetts-licensed, fully insured, CSIA-certified craftsmen.
Local to Quincy
Family-owned and based in Quincy — the South Shore is our home turf.
We fix this across Quincy & the South Shore
We diagnose and repair this problem for homeowners throughout our service area. Pick your town for local detail:
Related chimney problems
See more in our common chimney problems guide, browse real projects, or read the chimney blog.
Damaged Chimney Flashing — frequently asked questions
How do I know if it's the flashing or the chimney leaking?
If the ceiling stain is right where the chimney passes through the roof, flashing is the prime suspect. A proper inspection confirms the water path before any work.
Is caulk a permanent flashing fix?
No. Caulk and roofing tar are temporary at best — they fail in a few seasons. Proper stepped and counter-flashed metal is the lasting fix.
Can you repair flashing without redoing the whole roof?
Yes. Flashing is repaired at the chimney-to-roof joint independently of the rest of the roof.
Dealing with this right now?
Book a free inspection or send us a few photos. We'll tell you the real cause and a clear, honest fix — Quincy & the South Shore.