How to Seal Around a Chimney

A chimney that is left untended for years will often leak and become a serious headache for any homeowner. With a small project each year, however, you can ensure that the seal between the roof and chimney remains strong over time. For those unfamiliar with sealing a chimney, the process is fairly straightforward with a basic roofing cement and only a few hours of actual work.

Wire brush
Caulking gun
Roofing cement
Utility knife
Putty knife

Instructions

- 1
  Sweep a wire brush over the roofing cement already present on the chimney and remove all dirt and debris. Brush off any loose bits of the cement.
- 2
  Identify large cracks which are wider than 1/4 inch all around the base of the chimney. You can also lift up the surrounding shingles slightly to check for cracks in the cement.
- 3
  Fit a tube of roofing cement into a caulking gun so that the tip points outward. Use a utility knife to slice the plastic tip of the tube at a 45-degree angle.
- 4
  Press the tip of the roofing cement tube onto the cracks in the old cement. Pull the trigger on the gun to apply a thick bead of the cement along the length of the cracks.
- 5
  Smooth the cement with the tip of a putty knife and spread it so that it extends a few inches in each direction from the crack.

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