WHAT IS A ROOF CRICKET?

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Did you recently come across the word roof cricket?  It may come up when you call a roof inspector to check for leaks, and they reveal that you need a new chimney cricket.  A roof cricket is a tiny peak that redirects water away from the leak-prone areas of your roof, such as chimneys and dead valleys.  A roof cricket is a two-dimensional construction built behind a chimney to channel water away from it.  

Roof Cricket

Roof Cricket

A roof cricket is a small but highly useful part of a roof that is designed to protect your home from water damage.  A cricket is a small peaked structure that is built on the leeward or backside side of a roof accessory, like a chimney, skylight, or vent.

  • The origin of the name for a roof cricket is not entirely clear, but it is speculated that it may have been derived from the resemblance of the peaked structure to a cricket’s back.  Another theory is that the name comes from the cricket-like chirping sound that water can make as it flows over the peaked structure.
  • The function of a roof cricket is to deflect water around the bumps and protrusions along your roof to prevent water from pooling around this area and causing leaks.  Crickets divert the water into the roof valleys and down to the gutters. This protects your home from structural damage, mold, algae, and roof failure.

But what happens if you don’t have it?  Isn’t the metal flashing on your roof enough? 

IS A ROOF CRICKET NECESSARY FOR YOUR HOME?

When it comes to protecting your home from water damage, every detail counts – and that includes the often-overlooked roof cricket.  While metal flashing is an important part of a roofing system, it’s not a substitute for a cricket structure. 

  • Flashing is designed to seal the edges of the roofing materials around the leak-prone areas of the roof, but it doesn’t always necessarily divert water away from those areas. 
  • A roof cricket, on the other hand, is specifically sloped to guide water around the high and low points of a roof rather than allowing it to collect and cause trouble.
  • Without this vital structure in place, water can collect around the low-lying areas of the roof, slowly damaging the shingles and slipping behind them.  When a strong gust of wind comes along it can easily reach the inner layers of the roof.
  • It’s also worth mentioning that roof crickets not only serve a functional purpose but also enhance the aesthetic appeal of a roof.  They are designed to blend seamlessly with the rest of your roofing system, which gives the home a clean and polished look.

WHY ARE CHIMNEY CRICKETS SO IMPORTANT?

Chimney crickets play a crucial role in protecting the back of a chimney and creating a harmonious look around it.  That’s because chimneys have an entirely different vertical profile and composition.  They are also the longest part of your house and go all the way from the ground floor up to the roof and above. This is why it becomes more critical to cover it at a perfect angle using a cricket structure. 

Other than a chimney cricket, there are many other types of crickets you can find at several other locations along a roof:

  • Dead valley roof cricket
  • Skylight cricket
  • Roof cricket between two gables
  • Flat roof crickets

Roof crickets are sloped in the same direction as the main roof so that water is channeled in the right direction.  The choice of design depends on the location in which the cricket will be built. 

PEAKED ROOF CRICKET

This is the most traditional and recognizable design, featuring a peaked shape that slopes in the opposite direction as the main roof.  It is often used on chimneys and skylights and effectively diverts water away from projections.

SADDLE DESIGN

This design features a peaked shape that is wider than it is tall. It’s often used on protuberances that are wider than they are tall, such as dormers and bay windows. This design effectively diverts water around the protrusion and also provides a more aesthetically appealing look.

WALL CRICKET

This design is used when a roof feature is small and extends above the roofline, for example, a tubular skylight.  A wall cricket resembles a low wall that’s built around the feature and also provides structural support to it.

WHAT ARE ROOF CRICKETS MADE OF?

A roof cricket is typically made of the same materials as the roof itself.  However, if you have a specific theme and purpose in mind, you can customize or choose a different material for your roof crickets.

ASPHALT SHINGLES

If you have an asphalt roof, then you can choose asphalt shingles to cover your roofing crickets.  The structure will be made of mini, rafter-like beams, followed by an ice and water shield and shingle layer.

METAL CRICKETS

WOOD, CLAY & SLATE 

Clay tile cricket

Clay tile cricket

If you are looking for an invisible and seamless appearance, roof crickets can be covered by the same material as your roof regardless if the material is wood shakes, clay tiles, or slate slabs.  However, skylight crickets are factory-made and are attached to its frame. So you need to ask your roofing contractor for a matching shade.

PVC OR TPO

PVC or TPO roof crickets are a synthetic option.  These are some lightweight but sturdy options that are flexible and easy to work with.  They may be visible on the roof, but their watertight and insulative nature makes them a great choice.  It’s always best to consult with a professional roofer to determine the best material for your roof cricket.  A professional will be able to take into account the specific needs of your home, the climate, and your budget. 

ROOF CRICKET REQUIREMENTS

When you look for a reliable roofing contractor, the first thing is to ensure they are from around the same area as you.  Research online and read their reviews to shortlist the best ones in the area.  After that, schedule a consultation and ask whether they provide a free quote for their services.  During the consultation, you can also ask about their license, references, and experience in installing roof crickets.

What’s the Purpose of a Roof Cricket?

The purpose of a roof cricket is to provide drainage for any roof that has no gutter system or whose gutters are clogged with debris.  It works by diverting water away from your primary structure (the house) and toward another destination (usually an empty field).  This diversion saves the building from water damage, which occurs when it is unable to drain properly.

If you have ever seen a huge puddle of water sitting on your roof, then you know what happens next.  The weight of the collected water can warp or even collapse roofs that are not constructed well enough to handle this added weight.  Staying away from this problem is the main and most important benefit of cricket.

What’s the Difference Between a Roof Cricket and a Chimney Cricket?

The difference between a roof cricket and chimney cricket lies in their location.  A roof cricket is typically found on top of any roof with no guttering system, while the chimney cricket is placed as an extension of the flue of a chimney.  In addition, roof crickets are usually made out of wood, while chimney crickets are usually constructed out of metal or masonry.

Two Types of Roof Crickets

Roof crickets come in two basic types: canted and inverted roofs.  The type you need depends on your structure’s design elements.   A canted cricket is a triangular structure that starts at the top of your roof and slopes down away from your house.   An inverted roof, on the other hand, simply looks like a triangle-shaped roof that has been flipped upside down.

Canted Roof Crickets

Canted roofs are the most commonly used roof crickets. This is because they offer a compromise between water drainage and durability.  They can be made cheaply using basic tools, but they drain away from your home just as well as inverted crickets.  Building a canted cricket is generally more difficult than building an inverted roof cricket, though both require some carpentry experience.

Inverted Roof Crickets

An inverted roof cricket is usually the best choice for a homeowner with high water drainage needs.  They can drain away from your house just as well as a canted cricket, but they are more resilient to wind and ice damage.  This is because of its triangular shape which helps it withstand strong winds that might be found in your particular area.  At the same time, inverted roof crickets are more difficult to construct than canted crickets because they require complex carpentry techniques that are usually only used by experienced builders.

What’s the Best Material for a Roof Cricket?

The best material to use for construction of a cricket is wood.  This is because it is durable and can be created much more cheaply than other materials.  Also, this material will naturally blend into the surrounding environment, which makes it environmentally friendly.

Avoid using metal for construction of your cricket if at all possible.  Metal crickets are usually quite expensive compared to wooden ones.  They also tend to rust over time due to exposure to the elements. Lastly, metal crickets are not environmentally friendly because they will rust and stain your roof.

Benefits of Having a Roof Cricket

The benefits of having a roof cricket are numerous, but they ultimately boil down to preventing water damage.  This is the most important benefit because it prevents your home from falling victim to mold growth and other types of damaging fungi.

By diverting water away from your house, you can stop any sort of wood rot that might occur due to excess moisture.  A cricket will also keep ice from accumulating on your roof, which can cause any number of problems ranging from damaged shingles to broken gutters.

How do I Know if My Roof Needs a Cricket?

You will need to know whether or not your roof needs a cricket if you are concerned about water damage.   If your home is prone to leaks, then it will probably need a cricket in order to prevent future problems.