Replacing Flashing Around Chimneys On Older Kellogg Houses

Replacing flashing around chimneys on older Kellogg houses typically requires removing existing step and counter flashing, installing new 26-gauge galvanized or lead-coated copper pieces, and sealing with compatible caulk, with the full process taking one full day on a standard two-story home when access is straightforward.

Why Flashing Fails Faster Near the Bunker Hill Mine Site

Homes built in the early to mid-1900s around the Bunker Hill Mine site in Kellogg often feature brick chimneys with original lead step flashing that has oxidized after 60 or more winters. Cold snowy winters cause repeated expansion and contraction that cracks solder joints and lifts edges, allowing meltwater to enter during mild summer thaws. Terrain around Silver Mountain Resort funnels wind-driven snow against north-facing roofs, accelerating wear on the uphill side of chimneys. Wallace and Osburn homes share the same pattern because they sit at similar elevations in Shoshone County where freeze-thaw cycles occur more than 80 days each year.

Signs Replacement Is Needed on Mining-Era Homes

Check for rust streaks below the chimney, missing pieces of step flashing, or interior stains on ceilings after spring melt. On homes near Kellogg City Park, pine needle accumulation in valleys often holds moisture against flashing seams for weeks. Lift a few shingles at the chimney corners to inspect for rotted decking; if the original felt underlayment is brittle or missing, the flashing job must include new underlayment up the roof plane at least 18 inches. These conditions appear regularly on properties between Osburn and Wallace because the housing stock shares similar age and construction methods.

Materials and Sequence for Local Conditions

Use 26-gauge galvanized step flashing in 5-inch by 7-inch pieces for most asphalt-shingled roofs common in Kellogg, or switch to copper when the existing roof is metal. Begin at the bottom of the chimney, weaving each step flashing course with the shingles so the lower piece overlaps the one above by 3 inches. Install a cricket or diverter on the uphill side when the chimney is wider than 24 inches to shed the heavy snow loads that accumulate near Lookout Pass. Preparing Metal Roofs For Heavy Snow Loads Near Lookout Pass explains additional reinforcement options that pair well with new flashing.

Coordination With Related Roof Work

Flashing replacement is often performed at the same time as Roof Repair when leaks have already damaged decking around the chimney. A Roof Inspection beforehand identifies whether the entire flashing system needs updating or only the counter flashing at the masonry joint. Similar leak paths appear around skylights after heavy rain, so homeowners can review Repairing Small Leaks Around Skylights After Heavy Rain In Kellogg for parallel sealing techniques. All work should be scheduled between 10am and 5pm when crews can safely access roofs before afternoon winds pick up in the valley.

Closing the Job and Preventing Future Issues

After installation, run a bead of polyurethane sealant along the top edge of the counter flashing where it meets the masonry and tool it smooth. Re-check the seal the following spring once snow has melted to confirm no movement occurred during the winter. On homes in the Kellogg and Osburn corridor, scheduling this work before the first heavy snow in November prevents most chimney leaks through the following season.