Garland's mid-century chimneys take a beating from hail and freeze-thaw swings — proper step and counter flashing is how you stop the leaks for good.
Drive through Firewheel, Duck Creek, or the historic downtown Garland blocks and you'll see the same story on rooftop after rooftop: 1960s-1980s brick chimneys where the flashing has quietly failed. In neighborhoods like Camelot, homeowners often notice a ceiling stain near the chimney chase long before they think to look at the roofline itself. That stain is almost always a flashing problem, not a roof problem — and in Garland, where hail, high wind, and freeze-thaw cycles hammer these joints year after year, it's one of the most common repairs we handle.
Flashing is the metal barrier that seals the joint between your chimney and the roof deck. On a properly done job, step flashing is woven into the shingles course by course, and counter flashing is cut into the mortar joint above it, locking out water permanently. On many Garland homes built decades ago, that original flashing has thinned, rusted, or was never let into the mortar correctly in the first place — it was just caulked or tarred over.
Garland sits squarely in a stretch of North Texas that swings hard between summer heat, sudden hailstorms, and winter freezes. That freeze-thaw cycle is brutal on mortar joints — water gets into a hairline crack, freezes, expands, and widens the gap a little more each time. Once the mortar joint that holds the counter flashing loosens, the flashing works free and water finds its way behind it. Add in Garland's exposure to high wind events, which can lift shingles and stress the flashing's seal, and it's easy to see why so many established neighborhoods here — from Duck Creek to the streets around historic downtown Garland — are dealing with chimneys that are simply reaching the age where crowns and flashing need real attention, not another temporary patch.
A lot of companies will offer to caulk over failing flashing or apply a sealant coating. That can buy a little time, but it's not a fix — it's a delay. A full flashing replacement removes the old metal entirely, cuts a fresh reglet into the mortar joint, and installs new step and counter flashing woven properly with the roofing material. This is especially important if you're already coordinating a reroof or roof replacement, since flashing should always be replaced at the same time as new shingles go on — reusing old flashing on a new roof is one of the most common causes of early leaks. If your chimney also needs crown repair or tuckpointing on the surrounding mortar joints, we can address that in the same visit so the whole system is sealed properly.
Serving Garland homeowners from Firewheel to Camelot, 7 days a week including Sundays.
(214) 225-8874Our technicians inspect the chimney from both the roof and the attic side to confirm flashing is actually the source of the leak rather than a cracked chimney crown or damaged chimney cap. Once confirmed, we remove the old flashing, prep the mortar joint, and install new step and counter flashing sized correctly for your roof pitch and chimney dimensions. We're certified and insured, and every job is backed by a 5-star service standard whether you're in a Firewheel split-level or a bungalow near downtown Garland.
Homeowners who've had recurring leaks after a previous patch job often find that a full replacement is the first time the problem actually goes away. If you're unsure whether your issue is flashing or something else, our guide to chimney leak causes can help you narrow it down before you call.
Flashing replacement pricing depends on a handful of real factors: the chimney's height and roof pitch, how much of the surrounding mortar joint needs to be cut and repointed, whether the work is being coordinated with an active reroof, and the type of flashing metal used. Chimneys on steep Firewheel roofs or older homes near downtown Garland with deteriorated mortar sometimes take more time to prep than a straightforward reseal-and-replace job. Services start at $99, and we won't give you a number over the phone that isn't grounded in an actual look at your chimney. Every estimate comes with a Free Online Quote and a clear explanation of what's driving the cost before any work begins.
"Very pleased with the professionalism and promptness of service. The chimney sweep was done quickly and efficiently at significantly less cost than the first quote I got from another company. Happy to recommend Lowes Chimney Sweep to anyone in Plano!"
"Outstanding chimney sweep service from start to finish. They were punctual, courteous, and left our chimney spotless with no mess in our home. I won't use anyone else for chimney services in Dallas TX!"
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The clearest sign is a stain that appears specifically along the wall or ceiling closest to the chimney, rather than spread across the roof deck. Rusted streaks on the brick just below the roofline are another strong indicator. We check both the attic side and the roof itself before recommending flashing work, since a cracked crown can cause similar symptoms on Garland's older masonry chimneys.
Many Garland neighborhoods, including Duck Creek and areas near historic downtown Garland, have masonry chimneys built in the 1960s through 1980s that are now old enough for original flashing and mortar joints to break down. Add Garland's freeze-thaw winters and hail-prone storms, and the metal and mortar holding flashing in place simply wear out faster than newer construction.
Yes, flashing replacement can be done on its own if the surrounding shingles are in good shape. That said, if you're planning a reroof in the near future, it's smarter to coordinate the two so the new flashing is woven into new shingles rather than reused on old ones.
We select flashing metal and finish to blend with your roofing material as closely as possible, and step flashing is always tucked under the shingle courses so it's largely hidden from view. Counter flashing along the mortar joint is the visible part, and we keep that clean and properly sealed rather than caked in tar or caulk.
Most single-chimney flashing replacements on Firewheel or Camelot-style homes are completed in a day, though homes with deteriorated mortar joints that need repointing before the counter flashing goes back in can take a bit longer. We'll give you a realistic timeframe after inspecting your specific roof and chimney.
Straight answers from our DFW chimney pros before you book.
