Chimney flashing made easy

[@danielstover3029]

Chad, experienced, skilled, talented, responsible, reliable, fair and trustworthy is almost impossible to find anywhere anymore. Hopefully your customers realize how truly fortunate they are to have you in their area and to have been able to choose to hire you! A chimney can't handle very many bandits and bandaids! Always impressed with your work, your transparency and willingness to help educate. Great videos! Thanks for sharing... 😁👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@mattmadden3716]

Exactly, and homeowners just exacerbate the problem by demanding the cheapest price which forces companies to hire the cheapest labor they can, which is usually Mexicans. I know a lot of hard-working Hispanics but their culture is not super conducive to well-thought-out or high-quality building practices.

[@nikond90]

Great video Chad, I appreciate all the details and the quality of your work.

[@robinpeets915]

Sir, You do beautiful work. I have never seen a lead flashing installation. Thank you for a detailed explanation of the how and why of your installations. Wonderful job!!

[@rharrell1]

Beautiful work on the chimney lead flashing. In Great Britain some of the masons cut just once piece of lead for each side of the chimney. They then cut the slots in the top one half part of the lead which is inserted in the mortar joint. Looks like stair steps with a point. The way your lead is cut accomplishes the same thing just a different style. As far as roof underlayment what I have always described it as the water barrier for the roof, what you put on top of it just holds it in place.

[@bryanmason-m3n]

Awesome step by steps man! love the detail. would love to see he measurements, how 2, bends into chimney, and more of that detailed reasoning. Additionally, like you finding what's wrong and why

[@chadvaillancourt]

Hey, thanks! I do have other videos that go into more detail. They are a little longer, though.

[@marcuscicero9587]

great vid. thrilling to watch an experienced guy at work. look forward to more

[@lizzapaolia959]

You're honesty is commendable. So my clowns have no idea what they are doing....... Keeping the business honest 🙏👌

[@lizzapaolia959]

Absolutely fantastic work ethic. Hopefully those in your trade emulate your values and craftsmanship. Thank you again for sharing your videos 🙏

[@davechap7819]

I love this video and your honesty and I’m not even 5 mins in.tropic thunder reference was the best so far😂

[@chadvaillancourt]

Such a great movie 😂

[@efrentroncoso6471]

I Appreciate your craftsmanship, great discussion regarding money

[@GeoffreyLawrence-et1yk]

You’re obviously intelligent and very good at what you do. I have a 100+ year old cabin on an island, off grid, with a brick fireplace and chimney. We do all of our own maintenance and repair because it is impossible and or prohibitively expensive to get others to do it. Chimney flashing is daunting to me and our chimney is a leaky, tarred-up mess. Is there any product or method you can recommend to DIYers to make reflashing easier, less expensive and more practical? I could never do the kind of work you do. I’d value your advice. Thanks.

[@marcbacon6457]

Great video! Grew up in masonry taught by masonry contractor father. Wife received estimate under 75 to relay for $2600 😬. I’ll do a complete tear down, replace and sleep well! Thanks

[@danilberzin3556]

Great job I’ve been doing roofs for 30 years and I know when I see professionalism this is it

[@gregsidel3557]

A beautiful skilled job, very, very good. I really appreciate your video because someday soon. Here, I'm gonna have to fix my chimney. And your videos can really help unexperienced person like myself. Thank you for thank you. Thank you for the video.

[@phoenixsurvivor31]

Great instructional video and superb craftsmanship, Chad! Love how you keep your jobs in perspective of the bigger world. I'm trying to figure out how to do chimney flashing for my soon to be new metal roof. Do you have video dealing with flashing for metal roofs to help me along?

[@chadvaillancourt]

Thank you! Not really, I did a video with a block chimney that had a metal roof. Usually, the metal roof guys bend a piece of metal made from the same metal to match the roof.

[@Cooldaddio2]

I love watching you work

[@muhammadqazi2358]

I am in northeast Connecticut….I liked your work. How can I get in touch wit you to fix mine

[@slydog7131]

I'll do it for 200 bucks.

[@chadvaillancourt]

@slydog7131 😂

[@williamdyckman9704]

Your video is so professional and your work is so top notch !!

[@cavecity6645]

Great video - can you clarify the terms for each layer? Is it step flashing > iceshield > shingle/counterflashing interlay ? Thanks

[@bigrome83]

Good work

[@jbweb]

Wish I could find someone to do this nice of a job for mine. Here I am trying to learn and DIY 😅. What material is your counterflashing? Is it bad to use galvanized?

[@guymcneill1711]

To watch you work it is amazing I noticed that you’re very meticulous. You do not cut corners. And you do not quit until the job is completely done correctly. There are not many people like you that will get up on the roof and do the job correctly without being watched by the owner my hat is off to you.

[@chadvaillancourt]

Thank you.

[@maxa969]

I loved watching your work can you share how you set up your decking?

[@chadvaillancourt]

Thanks. I’m not sure what you mean by decking? If you mean the scaffolding, I do show that in other videos.

[@jamesmlavelle5891]

A really good video,a lot of truth in what you said.

[@GlobalThirtyseven]

Those gashes open up over time. Sometimes not noticeable at first, but thermal expansion/contraction works them open bigtime.

[@GeorgeWilcox-cv7mh]

Ok this is off topic but: do block divider blocks strengthen the structure of a chimney and what about steel rebar in the web of the blocks. The historic method is to support a chimney after 5' of hight. My theory is the support can be built in with block dividers and rebar.

[@chadvaillancourt]

They would certainly add to the overall strength, especially in seismic zones, where they fill the cores with rebar and concrete.

[@bkoz319]

this is craftsman like work. thanks for caring

[@chadvaillancourt]

Thanks!

[@merbesfield]

Do you have any video on a job like this but on a stone fireplace? I have a job coming up with a 100 year old chimney and we are installing 5V old school metal roofing. The prior work is a mess and the stone is very rustic as this is an old cabin. Want to do it right. Thx

[@albluthe410]

I watch all your videos. It’s great seeing a true professional at work. All the time watching I could have probably done my chimney flashing by now! I have a question, you mentioned the Lexel silicone. Is that better than the “ Through the Roof” stuff? Thanks

[@chadvaillancourt]

Thank you for your continued support! Both products are made by the same company. I have a suspicion that they are identical. They feel and act the same. I just buy whichever I can get my hands on at the local hardware stores.

[@SheenaRea]

Is that stainless steel at 9:20 ? Thank you for these helpful videos. I love how thorough you are. My roof was botched several years ago and I'm playing catch-up to try fixing them as best as possible. (Roofing company went out of business.) Very much appreciate your work and the excellent videos! Thank you!!

[@chadvaillancourt]

Just Galvanized metal, it’s cheap and does the trick. Thank you, you’re very kind. Im really glad you’re enjoying the videos.

[@mickmac3360]

Beautiful job. Lead is always the best for flashing but I dont see it being used. Can I get lead in California.

[@chadvaillancourt]

Thanks. You could probably get it anywhere if you're willing to pay shipping. I don't understand why it's hard to get in certain regions.

[@Oldhouseguy]

Looks great - just watched a video where they cut right through the brick and used one piece of flashing instead of step flashing. Looks so cheap. I do have a question. I have seen step flashing overlap the roof shingles on top not underneath the shingles. Why is that done?

[@chadvaillancourt]

Two different methods. Both are good, in my experience. Although I don't like it when they use aluminum for step flashing.

[@zackzander425]

Excellent job. Made me nervous at first with that chalk line; I thought you were going to grind a reglet right through the bricks 😂. All the hacks do it that way. Ever do copper flashing? Do you think lead is the best?

[@chadvaillancourt]

Thanks. I don't really know how to solder, so I don't use it. It just doesn't bend like lead, so I just stick to what I know.

[@bobtouchette5308]

A craftsman at work!!

Great work ethics👍🏻 thanks for taking time to work and record details! What is your contact info if you serve western Mass?

[@jfox11000]

How much do you charge for that job right there ?

[@Spring_27_84]

Too much lol

[@Dragonlord9]

you mentioned "roofers" screwed up the flashing and etc. I do have similar leak with my chimney and flashing. Who do I call for help instead of roofer? thanks

[@finders-keepers1518]

I love your videos buddy. I am that guy you mentioned that has been a bricklayer for 25 yrs in production. Where I Iack knowledge is exactly what you just did in this vid! Couple of questions for you. What are those clips you had on the very bottom and top pieces of lead? Also what kind of metal is that on top of the I&W shield to fill in the initial void between plywood and brick?

[@chadvaillancourt]

The clips are just 1.5” wide strips of lead that I nail on face down, then I bend them around to hold the apron. The metal is just mill finished drip edge for rubber roofing.

[@thebrickandstoneguy]

Beautiful work!!

[@Oldhouseguy]

I have seen step flashing overlap the roof shingles on top not underneath the shingles. Is this correct? Why is that done?

[@carlandrews5810]

Excellent video! Would love to see a little more detail on how you did the last piece if possible. I have never done this and ordered a roll of 12" lead before watching the video. Besides it costing more is there anything I should know about using the wider stuff or should I exchange it?

[@chadvaillancourt]

Thanks! I think I cover the back detail a little more in the “Shadow-box chimney rebuild” The cost shouldn’t change if you order 8” 10” or 12”, it’s all 50lb rolls and most everyone sells it by the pound. I’ve only seen that pricing structure at Lowes, so I won’t buy from them. I rarely use 12” lead, mostly I use 8” and 10” and it usually is dictated by the roof pitch. 8” is very good for steeper roofs and 12” would be for very low pitches. Some jobs I show up with three different size rolls and use some of each, but if I had to choose one, 8” would be my choice.

[@carlandrews5810]

I watched this video again and figured out what what you did. I'll check that video out to though. Thanks! This is a real life saver!

[@chadvaillancourt]

Good luck!

[@TheKittenpuppy]

Would have been nice to see the work being done, such as the cutting of the chimney and the lead.

[@MartinRodriguez-gx9cs]

How much does a job like this run?

[@morganmichel7290]

Beautiful work Chad! I am just starting out and have a upcoming chimney project. Do you have any pointers for flashing a chimney on a gable end with a cricket on it? Any advice would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

[@chadvaillancourt]

Thanks! I wish I could help but I’ve never seen or dealt with a cricket on a chimney going up a gable wall. Keep in mind you aren’t required to have a cricket until 30” wide, on the side parallel to the ridge.

[@morganmichel7290]

@@chadvaillancourt Thanks for responding so quickly! Currently there is no cricket. I was just thinking of adding one because there’s about a 2’x8’ section above the chimney and I was trying to be extra safe and divert that water. Would you forgo a cricket altogether then? Since the roof stops about a third back from the edge of the chimney due to it being a gable end do you run your flashing past and then do a vertical and horizontal cut to let in the lead? What is your typical procedure? Thanks for your help!

[@davidscalli1701]

Nice video. What type of staging is that? Is that just chimney brackets with like a single brace across the front? Instead of cross braces?

[@chadvaillancourt]

Vanguard chimney brackets with a straddle brace.

[@ChrisZomboid]

Wish I could have seen you make the lead pieces

[@mattmadden3716]

In CA, that’s easily an $2,000 job for that quality of work, and people would be happy to pay it if it fixes the problem.

[@themoonsbluelight]

Chad, what kerf thickness is the blade you cut the slots for the lead? Thanks!

[@chadvaillancourt]

Probably around 1/8”, it’s just the thickness of a regular blade.

[@adsaccuracy]

The problem with that chimney is there are no lead safes with in it, No flashings will sort the water problem out.

[@daisychain3222]

Chad, we watched this video and learned a lot! We are trying to find the right person to mitigate our chimney leaking. We have a zero clearance fireplace and the “chimney” is decorative but it is leaking; we had a new roof installed and the roofers did not help us out! We can’t find the person to even call. We called a roofing company and they said we need new siding, new roof, etc. After watching this we need a new “chimney”. How do we find such a craftsman?

[@chadvaillancourt]

Probably call a carpenter, they can do everything necessary for that type of project.

[@daisychain3222]

I was very impressed with your scaffolding too! Perhaps a video on how you get that platform up on the steep pitch.

[@chadvaillancourt]

Thanks! I have scaffolding setups in most of my videos. I show the roof scaffold setup in one of my recent videos, DIY chimney and roof scaffolding, or something to that effect.

[@agentgringo1996]

Hey Brother...it's me again. Having watched a lot of your videos, I'm able to ask knowledgeable questions to potential local chimney/mason guys but i feel like they give me wishy-washy answers and sometimes i feel like i know more than them only by watching your content. i still don't feel right about contracting them. I know quality work when i see it and i know you're the guy and worth every dollar....i really need your expertise to fix/redo my chimney.

[@chadvaillancourt]

I’ve been so busy lately, getting pulled in every direction. Sorry I haven’t gotten back to you. I will revisit your email when I get home tonight.

[@agentgringo1996]

@@chadvaillancourt cool man. I’m heading back to California for a week. Maybe we can touch base when I return to NH week of 7/24. 💪🏽👍🏽

[@agentgringo1996]

@@chadvaillancourt I get it. You’re in high demand. I’m in California right now but heading back to NH on Tuesday. Hope to hear from you soon. Thx!!!

[@chadvaillancourt]

I called and left a message last week. I was hoping to hear back.

[@agentgringo1996]

@@chadvaillancourt sorry man…missed your calls. I’m not flakey just been busy here on the west coast. Call you today 100%.

[@albluthe410]

My roof looks like they weaved the shingles with the flashing on top. Yours are on top. I’m assuming that’s a better way. Is that correct?

[@chadvaillancourt]

Both methods are good if done correctly.

[@WrenchHead]

Can aluminum flashing be installed in the same manner, or would that need to be an entirely different process? Thanks.

[@chadvaillancourt]

Could do it the same way but it’s easier to do step flashing and counter flashing method with aluminum.

[@ngz6749]

Great work

[@cindyk4145]

When they reshingle do they havecto tear off that front piece to shingle under it, or do they shingle around that piece?

[@chadvaillancourt]

Yes, they should gently remove and install in the exact manner they found it.

[@mb748]

Any chance you're in NJ?

[@jeffenoch1871]

Hi Chad, I'm curious where you purchased your flushing? I contacted they company you mentioned, and they are charging $146 per roll plus $250 shipping charge. I'm wondering if where you buy it, they would ship cheaper? Thanks man

[@chadvaillancourt]

$146 seems to be the going rate for retail, so that's not terrible. I buy mine through a local lumber yard. We can buy at any lumber yard, masonry supply, home depot or Lowes up here.

[@williamdyckman9704]

Do you advocate spraying water sealer on chimney ?

[@chadvaillancourt]

Not really. In certain situations, it may be the only option. In my opinion, blocking the pores of the masonry can be detrimental and should be avoided if possible. If you need to seal it, just use the smallest amount to cover. You definitely don't want to overdue it.

[@sxealex]

Out of curiosity, if one uses regular copper step flashing under the lead counter flashing, do you and if so what is your reasoning for running the lead significantly past the roof line under the shingles?

[@chadvaillancourt]

Sometimes I install lead step flashing under the shingles, just depends on the situation. I don’t use copper but it works just fine. The method that I used here works great, but does have certain limitations, for instance, if this was a brand new log cabin built and I had to account for 3” of vertical shrinkage as the logs dry I would use the step flashing method. This particular house isn’t shrinking anymore so it’s convenient to do the step flashing and counter flashing with one piece.

[@sxealex]

@@chadvaillancourt makes sense got it

[@wrenchboostboi8994]

Would this lead flashing hold up well up north?

[@retiredperson4054]

Will you come to Tennessee for me?

[@UKNOWMESCP]

Hey Chad Im a chimney sweep and also have 5 years experience of doing installations. I just went and looked at a job up through a quaonset hut roof and have never done one. Do you have any tips for me on the flashing and hole im to cut out this oddly shaped roof?. thank you

[@chadvaillancourt]

It may be easier to use step flashing as you go and counter flashing over the top. I cut my step flashes out of a roll of sheet lead, they bend real nice.

[@UKNOWMESCP]

@@chadvaillancourt Hey Good morning. Thank you for the quick response/reply. I’ve watched and learned a lot from watching your videos. Keep doing what you’re doing.👍💯✌️

[@kevinlane7555]

With all due respect to your abilities, the money is not irrelevant when you're the one paying it

[@ibfrosty08]

Really letting the roofers have it 😂

[@Yoyosforever]

I don't see signs of a leak on any decking anywhere around that chimney?????? You say it had been leaking a long time?

[@chadvaillancourt]

Almost all the chimney leaks I repair don't really have any damage to the sheathing, just damage to drywall and insulation. There is usually a gap between the sheathing and the chimney allowing water to gain entry. Also, the plywood doesn't rot because it gets plenty of ventilation from the attic to dry up moisture after it happens. I do see rot when they have multiple layers of shingles or lots of tar trapping the moisture in.

[@abbotroofing94]

Why didn’t you do step flashing?

[@j.d.1488]

Really like your commentary. Whats your opinion on how those Brits do the lead soakers then the cut in flashing on top. They seem to have a lot of slate and tile roofs.

[@chadvaillancourt]

Thank you! I like how they do the soakers. However, I'm not a fan of how they do the counterflashing in one piece with those ugly angled cuts. It seems like a really cheap way to do it, in my opinion.

[@j.d.1488]

@chadvaillancourt Yes, I was expecting that. Stepping in following brick joints is aesthetically, so much nicer. Thank you for your comment.

[@markpelrah3636]

Lol...exactly what I say..u just lay 2 cards down....there are so many decisions and actions that make a roof awesome ..some of these jokers are making over 30 bucks an hour doing stuff however they want without trying to make it boss. No experience.

[@abcertweld]

Great video. Last part about money is so true. Between safely crap and unskilled labor is so true, it is killing the construction trades. Then people wonder why they can't find good work anymore. The hiring of illegals is keeping prices and wages down, and is one reason why many have left the trades. Where people could work and provide for the family it has become increasingly more and more difficult. Seen this ramping up in the early 90's in the DMV area, and is why I decided to leave the trades.

[@peep39]

I had to get a whole new roof deck put on, including new rafters. for the whole house. and I knew the guys were lazy amateurs at best, so I had them knock the top of the chimney off (no longer used) because I knew there was no way they'd seal it right. Ended up with only one protrusion - the cast iron soil pipe vent. And guess what - they didn't even put the vent flashing on it. so that was a callback for them.

[@freetolook3727]

@34:15 Don't forget your hammer! 😂

[@LaoZi2023]

Are you using tar under your shingles?

[@chadvaillancourt]

The shingles come with a tar strip from the factory.

[@LaoZi2023]

@@chadvaillancourt Nice work.

[@howardrickert2558]

Would you be interested in building a chimney for me? I am starting my retirement house this fall, and I can’t find a mason that will help me. I have some experience with block, many years ago. I, and my two sons will assist you.

[@finders-keepers1518]

Most contractors don't like hearing that last sentence!

[@howardrickert2558]

@@finders-keepers1518 I know, but the are young and very strong.

[@finders-keepers1518]

@@howardrickert2558 Still will just slow him down.

[@mickysponaugle5952]

Cutting into the mortar joint weakens the chimney. Cut into the brick.

[@chadvaillancourt]

Bro... what? 🤯 NO

[@udfx]

Watching a roofer's vid recently, he was cutting things with a knife right on the roof (IDK if it was other shingles or underlayment), I'm just sitting there going, what the fuck is he doing

[@GeorgeWilcox-cv7mh]

Buttons of lead

[@Dude10271]

Nobody wore dust masks while cutting the brick and mortar.

[@chadvaillancourt]

I checked the box “no” when they asked if this video was for children. I’m not sure why you’re getting it in your feed, I’ll contact KZbin and try to get it sorted. Please don’t be a detective when you grow up, it’s not your forte.

[@Whokilledkenny1223]

Sorry friend you've been dressing or bossing lead wrong for 8 years watch some UK leadworking videos

[@chadvaillancourt]

Give me a little credit bud. I've been doing it wrong for way longer than that! 😆

[@rafaelrodriguez5719]

Buen. Trabajó. Jefe. Perfecto. Buen. Día. Jefe

[@travisedwards9983]

To be fair, felt does next to nothing. Also does not direct water out of house. Once its under the shingle, even on synthetic underlayment.. water will simply travel until it reaches one of the 60,000 nail holes. But yea, they jacked this flashing up.

[@velonico]

What is a bond break? Ill google it now.