Your chimney plays a crucial role in maintaining the safety and ventilation of your home by removing smoke and harmful gases. But there’s another key component that often gets overlooked — the chimney cricket. At Chandler’s Roofing, we’ve seen firsthand how this simple structure can prevent costly water damage and extend the life of your roof.
What Is a Chimney Cricket?
A chimney cricket, also called a chimney saddle or diverter, is a specially built ridge structure that sits on the high side of a chimney. Its job? To channel water and debris away from the base of your chimney, where pooling and buildup can cause major issues over time. If your chimney is more than 30 inches wide (measured perpendicular to the slope), the International Residential Code (IRC) requires one — and for good reason.
Why Your Roof Needs One
At Chandler’s Roofing, we always recommend chimney crickets for the following reasons:
1. Prevents Water Pooling
Water collecting around the chimney can lead to leaks, wood rot, mold growth, and damage to roofing materials like flashing and shingles. A properly installed cricket diverts rain and runoff away from these vulnerable intersections.
2. Extends the Life of Your Roof
By minimizing water damage and reducing wear on your roofing materials, chimney crickets help protect your investment and prevent premature roof replacements.
3. Keeps Animals Out
Standing water and open gaps can attract critters like birds, raccoons, or insects. Crickets help eliminate those nesting spots and block off common entry points.
4. Reduces Debris Buildup
Debris like leaves and twigs can easily collect behind a chimney. A cricket redirects that debris, improving airflow and helping your chimney function more efficiently.
Materials & Design Considerations
At Chandler’s Roofing, we build chimney crickets with high-quality materials tailored to your roof’s specifications:
- Framing: Typically wood.
- Body: Aluminum, galvanized steel, or copper — each with their own strengths.
- Aluminum resists rust but can dent easily.
- Galvanized steel is stronger and weather-resistant but prone to rust over time.
- Copper is the most durable and visually striking, though it’s also the most expensive.
We also install matching shingles over the cricket to maintain a seamless look, along with precision flashing to keep water out where the cricket meets your roof and chimney.
The size and pitch of your cricket will vary based on your chimney width and roof slope. For example, a 5-foot-wide chimney on an 8:12 pitch roof should have a cricket that’s about 1.6 feet tall. Our team ensures all sizing and slope guidelines are met for optimal performance and compliance with local codes.
Common Problems — And How to Fix Them
Even the best-built chimney crickets need occasional upkeep. Here’s what we typically see:
- Leaks: Often due to damaged flashing, rust, or structural failure. We can inspect, repair, or replace the cricket as needed.
- Animal Intrusion: Small animals may claw or chew around vulnerable spots. Regular inspections can catch and address these issues early.
- Masonry Issues: For brick chimneys, damaged mortar above the flashing can compromise the cricket’s effectiveness. We always check the chimney structure during any service.
When to Call the Pros
If you’re seeing water stains near your chimney, hearing animals in your attic, or simply aren’t sure if your home has a cricket, now’s the time to call Chandler’s Roofing. We’ll inspect your roof and chimney, identify any problems, and provide tailored solutions that protect your home for years to come.
And if your chimney doesn’t yet have a cricket? It’s one of the smartest investments you can make to prevent water damage and maintain a long-lasting, efficient roofing system.
Ready to Schedule an Inspection?
Contact Chandler’s Roofing today — your local roofing experts with decades of experience and a commitment to quality craftsmanship.