Chimney Crickets: Small Structure, Big Protection

When it comes to keeping your chimney safe from water damage, most homeowners think about caps, crowns, or flashing. But there’s another crucial part that often goes unnoticed - the chimney cricket.

A chimney cricket might be small, but it plays a big role in protecting your home from leaks, rot, and structural damage. If your chimney sits on the downhill side of your roof and you don’t have one, you could be one heavy rainstorm away from serious water problems.

What Is a Chimney Cricket?

A chimney cricket (also called a saddle) is a small, peaked structure built on the uphill side of your chimney - the side facing the slope of your roof.
Its purpose is simple but vital: to divert water and debris away from the back of the chimney.

Without a cricket, rainwater and melting snow collect at the base of the chimney where it meets the roof. Over time, that standing water seeps under shingles, damages flashing, and penetrates the masonry, leading to leaks and rot.

A properly built chimney cricket prevents all that by splitting the flow of water and directing it safely down both sides of the roof.

When Is a Chimney Cricket Needed?

Not every chimney requires a cricket - but for larger or wider chimneys, it’s absolutely essential.
As a general rule, if your chimney is 30 inches or wider, it should have a cricket installed.

However, even smaller chimneys benefit from one if they sit on a steep or high-water-flow section of the roof.
Our professionals assess your chimney’s location and roof design to determine whether a cricket is needed to provide full protection.

Keep Water Flowing Away, Not In

The chimney cricket might be a small structure, but it’s one of the most important defenses against roof and chimney leaks.
When properly designed and installed, it keeps water moving in the right direction - away from your chimney and your home.

Our professional team has the experience and skill to build, repair, and maintain chimney crickets that last - protecting your home from water damage season after season.

and let our experts make sure your chimney stays dry, strong, and leak-free.

Problems Caused by Missing or Damaged Crickets

When a chimney lacks a proper cricket, water can pool and slowly work its way into the roof and chimney materials.
This can lead to:

Roof leaks and interior water stains

Rotting wood and damaged shingles around the chimney

Cracked or crumbling masonry from repeated moisture exposure

Rusting flashing or dampness inside the chimney

Mold or mildew growth in the attic or ceiling

These issues often go unnoticed until major damage has already occurred - which is why prevention is so important.

How Our Professionals Build and Repair Chimney Crickets

Our team specializes in custom chimney cricket installation and repair, designed specifically for your roof’s pitch, material, and chimney size.

When building or replacing a cricket, our professionals:

Inspect the roof and chimney junction for signs of leaks or wood damage.

Construct a properly pitched cricket using durable materials that match your roof.

Install new step flashing and counter flashing around the cricket for a watertight seal.

Apply protective waterproofing and sealants to ensure lasting performance.

We make sure every detail - from slope to shingle alignment - is done precisely, so your chimney stays protected for decades to come.

Maintenance and Inspections

Even a well-built cricket needs occasional inspection. Over time, roof shifts, heavy snow, or debris buildup can cause wear or separation around the flashing.
During our routine chimney inspections, we always check the cricket area to ensure water is flowing properly and no leaks are forming behind the chimney.

Catching early signs of wear here can prevent costly roof and masonry repairs later.

Keep Water Flowing Away, Not In

The chimney cricket might be a small structure, but it’s one of the most important defenses against roof and chimney leaks.
When properly designed and installed, it keeps water moving in the right direction - away from your chimney and your home.

Our professional team has the experience and skill to build, repair, and maintain chimney crickets that last - protecting your home from water damage season after season.

and let our experts make sure your chimney stays dry, strong, and leak-free.

Book an Appointment Today!