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The purpose of your roof is to get water off of it by allowing the water to flow down but when a chimney is present, there is a chance of the flow of water being restricted thus causing potential leaks. A chimney cricket allows such conditions to be avoided by allowing the water to flow around the chimney and off your roof instead of being trapped behind the chimney. This is why is is important for a chimney to have a cricket.
WHAT IS A CHIMNEY CRICKET?
A chimney cricket is a roofing structure designed to divert water away from the chimney on a sloped roof. It is typically a peaked structure that sits behind the chimney and directs water flow away from the chimney and down the roof. The cricket is made of various materials, such as metal, asphalt shingles, or wood. But the roofers prefer installing a cricket that matches the roof’s appearance and withstands the same weather conditions as the rest of the roofing material.
A chimney cricket aims to prevent water damage to the roof and chimney. Without a cricket, water can pool behind the chimney and seep into the roof, causing leaks, rot, and structural damage over time. A cricket also helps to prevent debris and snow from accumulating behind the chimney. Additionally, a properly installed cricket can improve the energy efficiency of a home by preventing air leaks and reducing heat loss.
What does a chimney cricket do?
A chimney cricket is a tent-shaped structure that redirects water on a roof around the chimney system. It is made out of materials like steel or aluminum that are resistant to water. If your chimney is made out of wood or brick, touching the roofline, or slanted towards your roofline, you will need a chimney cricket.
Many people struggle with roof leaks due to not having a chimney cricket to divert hard rain away from the walls of their chimney system. When water flows down the slant of your roof, it can quickly pool and absorb through the porous surfaces of your chimney. When you add a cricket, water parts over the slant of the cricket and shoots down the sides, away from your chimney, and into your gutters.
Unfortunately, the bigger the chimney, the more vulnerable it is to water damage. Any chimney, over 30 inches wide, is highly recommended to have a cricket installed. The good news is, once you get a cricket, you can avoid years of roof leaks and costly repairs from damage caused by overflowing water.
Types of Chimney Crickets
BUILT WITH THE HOUSE
It is typically easier and more cost-effective to build the cricket at the same time you are building the rest of the chimney structure. This set up will give the cricket rafters, a ridge board, and roof decking while functioning as a small wall leaning against the chimney itself.
The edge of the cricket that lays flush against the chimney receives flashing, to ensure the seal is tightly fastened and there is no room for water to enter. The cricket is covered with the same roofing material as the rest of the roof and blends in beautifully, like one solid structure.
METAL
If you don’t get a cricket made with the house, then you will need a galvanized steel or aluminum-based addition made from a local shop. Steel is less expensive but also less durable. It can rust and won’t last nearly as long as aluminum. Aluminum does not corrode and can easily last a lifetime, though it is more expensive. Depending on your budget and needs, either option can do the job well and give you great protection against rook leaking.
