Chimney cricket - InspectionNews

John Stephenson · #1 (**permalink**) 06-22-2007, 05:25 PM

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Matt Hawley · #2 (**permalink**) 06-22-2007, 05:31 PM

John,

From the pictures it looks like the water would drain from the cricket, directly beneath the shingles. That's not good.

Couple of exposed fasteners as well. I've never seen a make shift cricket like that before.

dan orourke · #3 (**permalink**) 06-23-2007, 06:46 AM

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Eric Barker · #4 (**permalink**) 06-24-2007, 08:19 PM

John,

How about writing that the installation is non-professional and should be evaluated by a qualified roofing contractor.

I do not recognize caulk as a roofing material. I do not see it in quality installations and would not tell my client to put faith in such conditions. Whenever I see caulk on a roof I comment on it. To me it raises a question - why is it there?

I've seen leaks from roofs that look great. So you can bet that I'm going to question an install that seems anything less.

Kevin Luce · #5 (**permalink**) 06-24-2007, 09:36 PM

Chimney cricket not made of the same material as the roof. Just took a class with the city inspectors and they are teaching this and the city inspectors that I talked to are enforcing it. They were covering the 2003 IRC.

Scott Patterson · #6 (**permalink**) 06-25-2007, 08:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kevin Luce

Chimney cricket not made of the same material as the roof. Just took a class with the city inspectors and they are teaching this and the city inspectors that I talked to are enforcing it. They were covering the 2003 IRC.

Kevin, that just does not make any sense. The best crickets are those that are fabricated from copper or other soft metals.
This is from the 2003 IRC:
R905.2.8.3 Crickets and saddles. A cricket or saddle shall be installed on the ridge side of any chimney greater than 30 inches (762 mm) wide. Cricket or saddle coverings shall be sheet metal or of the same material as the roof covering.

Jerry Peck · #7 (**permalink**) 06-25-2007, 09:21 AM

John,

Are you sure those seam/laps are not "soldered" instead of "caulked"?

Once painted over, excess solder can look like caulk.

BARRY ADAIR · #8 (**permalink**) 06-25-2007, 11:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Stephenson

Any other comments about the crickets/ caulked seams?

Also, does anyone have any good verbiage regarding chimneys located in valley?

There is supposed to be a 36" wide moisture barrier underlayment at all valleys, 18" to either side if installed correctly, therefore no chimney(s), plumbing vent(s), or flue stack(s) shall be placed within 18" of a valley. Penetrations to the moisture barrier may eventually leak and these areas will require further monitoring and sealant application if not relocated and installed correctly.

I just edit out the one(s) that are not present in the valley.

Kevin Luce · #9 (**permalink**) 07-29-2007, 09:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scott Patterson

Kevin, that just does not make any sense. The best crickets are those that are fabricated from copper or other soft metals.
This is from the 2003 IRC:
R905.2.8.3 Crickets and saddles. A cricket or saddle shall be installed on the ridge side of any chimney greater than 30 inches (762 mm) wide. Cricket or saddle coverings shall be sheet metal or of the same material as the roof covering.

I forgot that I responded to this post.

Scott, I agree with you 100% and would never call our a cricket made out metal. That's why I was surprised when I heard this. I have noticed since then that all the crickets on new construction are of the same material. Is this common practice or are they acutally inforcing it? Don't know and really I don't care enough to look into it.

bruce m graham III · #10 (**permalink**) 07-29-2007, 10:20 AM

Kevin,
Most likly a cost thing, not everone can work copper properly and the one's that can charge accordingly plus copper is not cheap either.