<p>I have had a minor roof leak for years that I thought was fixed by finally replacing the roof 2 years ago. Over the last year we have come to realize that the water might be coming from the chimney. One handyman thought it might be coming from the chimney cap which he thought was not put on properly. I wonder if the chimney being made of stucco might also be an issue.</p>
<p>In order to get to the top of the chimney, the repair person would need to have 30 ft. or so ladder, so I want to call the correct repair person from the start; someone who will really be able to figure out where the water is coming from and also be able to fix the problem. That said, what type of repair person do I call? the roofer that replaced my roof is no longer available, and I am not sure he would be the correct person. I have access to a decent handyman, but I am not sure he will be able to solve the problem. Is there a specialist that does this kind of work?</p>
<p>If you want a new chimney cap, to reinstall the cap, or your stucco inspected, you may want to search under masonry. It looks like there are brick masons and stucco masons. A chimney sweep may also do that type of work, or could refer you to someone.</p>
<p>Are you sure it’s the cap, or the metal flashing that SHOULD be surrounding the chimney at the base, protruding to the roof sheathing, and UNDERNEATH the roof shingles?</p>
<p>When you had your roof replaced, did the quote include inspection and replacement of existing flashing? It should have.</p>
<p>I would not overlook this, it is a major cause of roof leaks. Lo-ball roofing quotes also don’t mention any flashing replacement or inspection, so I hope you chose your roofer wisely.</p>
<p>Flashing material is typically copper, on occaision in older homes can be lead. A good roofing contractor will either have one or two craftsmen in the crew who are flashing specialists, or “tin-knockers”, while others sub this out to independent sub contractors.</p>
<p>It is not the flashing, which was replaced with the new roof. When we are in the attic, we can see water coming down the chimney; I am just not sure how high the leak is. Water is only visible during a heavy rain, which we have had more than our share of this winter!</p>
<p>The handyman that was here felt the chimney cap was not placed correctly. He was not able to get to the top of the chimney, he just looked from the base of it. In order for him to get a better look, he was going to have to rent a taller ladder, and I didn’t ask him to do so.</p>
<p>They’re really both specialties - roofing is one and chimney repair another one.</p>
<p>I had my chimney cap replaced prior to a reroof. I contacted a chimney repair company. It’s important that they know what they’re doing and that they have some experience. They knew right away what kind of fireplace I had and knew that the cap I had was incorrect for the fireplace which I readily believed because it didn’t work very well. Furthermore, they knew which was the correct cap and were able to get one and install it. My fireplace now works much better (it vents better). </p>
<p>For the reroof, those people took care of the actual flashing where the chimney meets the roof. Mine’s a little bit of a pain because the chimney’s in the middle of the steeply sloped roof rather on an edge like most. They did a good job though as there are no leaks.</p>
<p>An incorrectly done chimney cap can be dangerious in not allowing your fireplace to vent properly which could be a carbon monoxide and smoke issue, and could even cause a fire.</p>
<p>An incorrectly done roof/flashing can cause damage and rot.</p>
<p>In both cases it’s best to get a specialist. For the fireplace search for a fireplace company that specifically states that they do chimney repairs. Don’t use a handyman, a roofing company, or a regular chimney sweep as they don’t have the training. Here are some links to chimney certification groups -
[NFI</a> Certified](<a href=“http://nficertified.org/pages_consumers/consumers-1.html]NFI”>http://nficertified.org/pages_consumers/consumers-1.html)
[Chimney</a> Safety Institute of America](<a href=“http://www.csia.org/]Chimney”>http://www.csia.org/)</p>