Chimney Inspection
Cap, crown, brick, flashing and the flue inside, checked and written up.
Chimney leaks and flashing
Chimney Leak Repair in Ottawa, ON
For chimney leak repair in Ottawa, ON, Ottawa Precision Chimney Sweep starts by finding out where the water is coming from. It could be the flashing where the chimney meets the roof, the crown, the cap, the brick or the flue itself. We fix the cause we find, not the one that is cheapest to guess, and the result is a dry ceiling by the next thaw.
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Where the Water Gets In
Four things leak around a chimney: the flashing at the roofline, the crown on top, the cap over the flue and the mortar in the brick. Flashing is the most common, because it is thin metal that the roof moves against all winter. A fix aimed at the wrong one will not stop the drip.
Ottawa Precision Chimney Sweep also provides flashing replacement, crown sealing and cap installation to Ottawa and nearby towns, including Barrhaven, Kanata, Orleans, Nepean and Stittsville. Most leak repairs take a day or less, and the fix has to be proven wet before it counts.
Contact UsTypes of Chimney Leak Repairs We Do
Tell us where you see the stain, and when it shows up. A leak that only appears in a thaw points somewhere different from one that shows up in every rain.
Flashing Repair and Replacement
Flashing is the metal where chimney and roof meet. We replace failed pieces with step flashing under the shingles and counter flashing let into the brick, instead of smearing tar on them, which does not hold.
Crown and Cap Fixes
A cracked crown or a missing cap sends water straight down the stack. A sealed crown and a new cap are quick fixes that cost far less than the damage the water does inside.
Brick and Mortar Sealing
If the brick has gone porous or the joints have failed, we repoint first. A water repellent coat then helps keep rain out of the brick, but only after the mortar is sound.
Chase Cover and Siding Leaks
On a siding-covered chimney, the metal lid on top and the flashing at the sides are the weak points. We replace the cover and reseal the joints before the siding rots.
What Chimney Leak Repair Costs in Ottawa
- Resealing minor flashing: $350 to $650
- New flashing, one chimney: $700 to $1,500
- Crown seal or patch: $350 to $1,000
- New cap or chase cover: $150 to $1,400
- Leak search with a water test: included with the repair
Prices are before HST. We write the price after we find the source.
What Every Leak Job Includes
- A hunt for the true source, not a guess
- A water test where it helps
- Flashing layered into the roof and brick instead of a smear of sealant
- Photos of the problem and of the fix
- The attic side looked at for damage
- Debris cleared from the roof
How Much Does Chimney Leak Repair Cost in Ottawa?
Chimney leak repair in Ottawa costs $350 to $1,500 in 2026, depending on the cause. A resealed flashing or a crown patch sits at the low end, and new flashing around a tall chimney sits near the top. The price covers the roof visit and the repair.
| Leak fix | Typical price | Common cause |
|---|---|---|
| Reseal minor flashing | $350 to $650 | A small lifted edge |
| New flashing | $700 to $1,500 | Rusted or pulled-away metal |
| Crown seal or patch | $350 to $1,000 | A cracked top |
| Cap or chase cover | $150 to $1,400 | A missing or rusted cover |
Why Does Water Leak Around My Chimney?
Most chimney leaks come from the flashing, the thin metal strip where the chimney meets the roof. Roofs move with the weather, the metal pulls away, and water finds the gap. Cracked crowns, missing caps and failing mortar are the other usual causes, and many leaks have more than one. We've found flashing as the cause on about two of every three leaks we have traced.
Why Do Leaks Show Up in a Thaw?
Because a thaw sends meltwater running down the roof against the chimney, and frozen flashing may have pulled away overnight. Ice can also back up under the shingles, and water then flows into a gap it would never reach in the rain. Many Ottawa leaks only show up in March.
Can Chimney Flashing Be Repaired or Does It Need Replacing?
Small lifted edges can be resealed, but old, rusted or tar-patched flashing should be replaced. Done right, flashing has two layers: step flashing woven into the shingles and counter flashing cut into the brick. Sealant alone is a patch and will fail again. We replace with metal, not tar.
Is Tar a Good Fix for Chimney Flashing?
Tar and roofing cement stop a drip for a season or two. Then the sun dries them, the roof moves and they crack. We have pulled out layers of old tar to find flashing that never sat right. Metal flashing sealed into the brick lasts decades, and tar mostly hides the problem. We have pulled out layers of old tar on about 20 roofs since 2015.
How Do You Find Where a Chimney Is Leaking?
We start in the attic if we can, looking for a stain trail up to the chimney, then climb up and check the cap, crown, brick and flashing in turn. When the source isn't obvious, we wet the chimney section by section with a hose and watch for the drip inside. It takes patience.
Condensation sometimes gets blamed for a leak. We have ruled it in on about 10 jobs since 2015. A cold, unlined flue sweats in winter and the moisture runs down the inside, which looks a lot like a roof leak. We rule it out first, because no amount of flashing will fix a flue that sweats.
Can a Chimney Leak Damage My Attic?
Yes. Water that runs along a rafter can rot it and soak the insulation long before the ceiling shows a stain. If we see damp insulation or dark wood in the attic, we tell you, and a roofer or a drywall repair may be the next step. We fix the chimney side so the damage stops.
A Written Price First
We climb up, look, and send you the price in writing. If a chimney needs nothing but a sweep, that is all you pay for.
Contact UsWETT Reports, Arranged for You
Insurers and buyers sometimes ask for one on a wood stove or insert. We arrange it with a partner inspector.
Contact UsQuestions we hear
Chimney Leak Repair FAQs
How do I know if my chimney is leaking?
Look for a brown ring on the ceiling or wall near the chimney, a damp smell in the attic, rust inside the firebox or white stains on the brick. Check after a thaw or a heavy rain, because a dry spell hides the leak. Photos help us decide how urgent it is.
Can you fix a chimney leak in winter?
Often yes. Flashing, caps and chase covers can be replaced in cold weather if the roof is safe to climb. Mortar and concrete work has to wait until the temperature stays above about 5 degrees C. We will seal what we can now and plan the rest for spring.
Is a chimney leak covered by home insurance?
Sometimes, but it depends on your policy. Many policies cover sudden damage and not slow leaks from wear. We take photos of the cause and the repair and provide an invoice, and your insurer decides on the claim. We can't promise coverage.
Who should I call first, a roofer or a chimney company?
If the leak is beside the chimney, call a chimney company first. We know the flashing, crown and cap, and we can tell you quickly whether a roofer is needed. If the roof itself is failing across the house, we'll tell you that too.
Our Other Chimney Services
Chimney Liner Installation
A new pipe inside the old flue for stoves, inserts and furnaces.
Chimney Cap Installation
Caps, rain caps and chase covers that keep water and animals out.
Chimney Crown Repair
The concrete lid on top of the brick, sealed or rebuilt.
Chimney Repointing
Crumbling mortar chiselled out and replaced before the brick fails.
Chimney Rebuild
Partial and full rebuilds, and chimney removal when it's time.
Free estimate
Tell Us About Your Chimney
Leave your name, number and a line about the chimney. We call back to set up a look, and the written price follows.
- Written price before any work
- Free estimates around Ottawa
- Drop sheets and a tidy finish every visit