A cricket is a ridge structure that is used in order to move water on a roof from one area of the roof to another. The cricket typically is the same pitch as the rest of the roof, but this isn’t always the case. Smaller crickets may be installed that are covered with metal flashing materials.
Chimneys are known for leaking and the reason is most often the metal flashing used during construction. If this is the case, a professional home inspector can look for water-stained ceilings or other signs of leaking near a chimney. This should be done once every few years to look for loose or missing flashing material or any cracks in the masonry itself.
For existing homeowners, a roof cricket can be installed to prevent moisture from penetrating the home. A professional can repair the chimney so that it has the required three layers of rubberized material, step flashing and counter flashing. All of these components are important to protect the home from mildew or mold damage.
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