Santa Maria case study: stucco chimney leak fixed on S-tile roof
Quick share from a recent job in Santa Maria, CA. 1960s ranch, S-profile clay tile (~5:12). Homeowner saw staining at the living-room ceiling after west-wind rain. The chimney had painted steel apron, no real reglet (just mortar), and clogged weep paths.
*What we found*Water tracking under tiles at the downhill side of the chimney Hairline cracks in the stucco where “surface” flashing was buried Wet sheathing around the cricket; underlayment brittle from UV
*What we did (2 days, start to finish*)Cut a clean 3/4" reglet in stucco and installed a 16-oz copper counterflashing (soldered corners) New copper pan + 2:1 cricket, hemmed edges; HT peel-and-stick underlayment under the assembly Re-set tiles battenless at the pan, opened weep paths, and sealed reglet with a polyurethane rated for stucco Photo doc + hose test (10 minutes, west-side), then first storm verified—dry ceiling
*Result & takeaways*Passed a 0.9" rain week with west wind—no moisture on thermal camera Typical cost in our area for this scope lands around $1.8k–$3.2k, depending on access/chimney width If your chimney flashing is just mortar-smeared metal with no reglet, plan for a proper cut-in counter + pan/cricket and real weeps. It’s the difference between a patch and a fix.
read more and respond »Posted 10 months ago by Christopher Miller in Home Repair
