What is a Roof Cricket?

Roof crickets, which are also known as “chimney saddles,” are designed to deflect water, snow, and debris around your chimney in order to minimize pooling around the base of the structure. The cricket is a custom-built home improvement addition that has been installed on the uphill roof slope behind the chimney (on the high-side) of your dwelling. They are essentially a small roof that is constructed of a wooden frame and a flashing made of aluminum, stainless steel, or galvanized steel that matches the frame.

The crickets have a gable roof design, which prevents water from collecting at the bottom of the structure. A little ridge sits above it, and its two lower parts descend in opposite directions from one another. In addition to that, they frequently install step and counter flashing on the chimney in order to supplement the cricket. It is purposefully installed to go below your shingles, and after it is covered with the suitable roofing material, it ensures that your chimney will not leak from the region.

Is It Necessary to Have a Roof Cricket?
The lifetime of your chimney and roof depends heavily on the presence of crickets. They make it possible for water and debris to properly drain down the roof and into the gutters of your home. Chimneys have a tendency of drawing water due to the vast mass that makes up its structure. Your chimney will invariably get surrounded by a pool of water if there is an excessive flow of water down your roof, and this will occur whether the water enters the roof from the interior or the outside. After that, it finds its way beneath the shingles, which speeds up the degradation of the flashing and the brickwork. Additionally, it enables water to enter your property, which can result in a variety of problems that can’t immediately be noticed. Repairing the damage can cost homeowners hundreds or even thousands of dollars in some cases. A lot of homeowners try to execute fast remedies for the water that pools around the chimney, such as applying roofing tar. Sadly, this simple remedy will just postpone the inevitable, which is thousands of dollars’ worth of damage to your chimney and house, for a little while longer.

However, a damper is not required for every chimney. As was indicated previously, crickets are only required on your roof if your chimney is positioned on the slope of the roof and is at least 30 inches wide on the side that is facing the slope. There is a possibility that a roof saddle is not the best answer for the leak in your chimney and the water penetration you are experiencing. There are a number of different factors that might lead to water and chimney penetration. Several of these other factors include the following:

-Brick and mortar joints that have developed cracks
-Chimney crown with cracks in it.
-There is not a cap or cover on the top.
-Flashing or pursuit cover that has been damaged

How much does it cost to have a roof cricket mounted on the top of a chimney?
Crickets often have installation prices that run anywhere from $3,000 to $6,000. The price may change based on the dimensions of the chimney, the materials used for the roof, the degree of accessibility, and the hourly wage of the workers. The state of the brick masonry is another another variable that must be taken into account. Let’s say the standing water did a large amount of harm to it. In such situation, we will need to reconstruct the chimney before we can move forward with the installation process.

Nevertheless, you should not undertake a roof cricket installation on your alone, regardless of the circumstances. Putting shingles on top of two pieces of sloping plywood is not an adequate representation of the roof cricket’s design. It requires careful construction, accurate dimensions, and in-depth understanding of chimneys and the applicable safety regulations.