Benbrook homes built from the 1960s onward often feature brick chimneys with step flashing that meets composition shingles. Heavy spring rains and occasional winter freezes in Tarrant County drive water behind the flashing, rotting decking and staining ceilings. Proper repair requires removing shingles, inspecting for rust or separation at the counterflashing, then installing new step flashing with correct overlaps and high-temperature sealant rated for Texas heat.
Wind-driven rain from the west across Benbrook’s flatter terrain pushes water under poorly lapped flashing on ranch-style roofs. Technicians must also check the cricket or saddle behind the chimney on larger homes near Lake Worth, because missing or undersized crickets allow ponding that accelerates flashing failure. Code in Fort Worth requires flashing to extend at least 6 inches up the chimney and 4 inches under shingles; skipping this detail during earlier roof work is a common source of callbacks.
When soil movement from the area’s clay subgrade shifts the chimney slightly, the original flashing pulls away from the brick. Repair then includes re-pointing mortar joints before new flashing is installed so the seal lasts through another decade of summer expansion and winter contraction. Homeowners in neighborhoods like Benbrook Meadows and Westpark see these issues more often on chimneys that have never had the flashing replaced since original construction.
Technician insight
In Benbrook, the thing that catches most people out with chimney flashing repair is how the clay soils along the Camp Bowie corridor shift foundations enough to pull flashing away from brick on 1970s homes; if you only replace the metal without addressing the mortar joints first, the same leak returns after the next freeze.
Westpark Chimney Leak After Spring Storms
Water stains appeared on the ceiling near the fireplace in a 1978 brick ranch. Inspection showed step flashing had separated at the rear corner where the chimney had settled slightly. We removed the shingles, re-pointed the brick, installed new copper step flashing woven correctly, and restored the roof. No further leaks occurred through the summer rains.
How it works
- 1
Site Inspection
Examine flashing condition, chimney lean, and roof slope from the ground and attic to identify water entry points.
- 2
Shingle and Flashing Removal
Carefully lift surrounding shingles and extract damaged step and counterflashing without disturbing the chimney crown.
- 3
Surface Preparation
Clean brick, re-point mortar where needed, and verify cricket integrity on the uphill side before new metal is installed.
- 4
New Flashing Installation
Cut and bend copper or galvanized step flashing, weave it into shingles, and seal counterflashing with high-temp caulk.
- 5
Final Waterproofing and Test
Replace shingles, apply sealant at all joints, and run a water test to confirm no leaks remain.
Pricing
Upfront quotes after on-site inspection; price varies with chimney height, roof pitch, and extent of rotted decking.