Chimney Flashing Repair in Brentwood: Written Report, Licensed Technicians

Last fall, a homeowner near Point Dume called us after her insurance carrier sent a non-renewal notice. The letter cited "unverified roof and chimney condition" following the most recent wildfire season. She hadn't noticed any leaks. The fireplace worked fine. But when she climbed up to take photos for the adjuster, she saw the step flashing along the left side of her chimney had buckled away from the roof deck. Tar patches from a previous repair were cracked and peeling. Her carrier wanted a licensed inspection report with photos before they'd even discuss continued coverage. That's the call we get two or three times a month from Brentwood homeowners, especially along the PCH corridor where fire risk ratings have pushed insurers to demand documentation they never asked for five years ago.

She didn't need a full chimney rebuild. She needed someone who could inspect the flashing, document its condition with detailed photos, and produce a report her insurance company would actually accept. Her concern was straightforward: if the flashing failed during a heavy rain, water would run behind the stucco and into the wall framing. But the more immediate pressure was the policy cancellation deadline, less than 30 days away. We scheduled her inspection for the following week. Turner Bros Chimney Pros handles these wildfire-insurance-documentation cases regularly for homeowners in Brentwood, where midcentury and 1970s-era homes often have original lead flashing that hasn't been evaluated in decades.

The inspection confirmed two problems. First, the step flashing on the uphill side of the chimney had separated from the mortar joints. This is common on Brentwood hillside homes where thermal cycling from Santa Ana winds and coastal fog expands and contracts the metal at a different rate than the surrounding masonry. Second, there was no cricket installed above the chimney, which meant rainwater pooled against the back wall during SoCal's short but intense rain season. Per NFPA 211 Level 2 inspection standards, we documented everything with interior camera scans and exterior photography. The report included measurements of the gaps, close-ups of corroded counter flashing, and a written assessment of the chimney crown, which had minor cracking but wasn't the source of her water risk. We recommended replacing the old lead step flashing with aluminum, which holds up better against the salt air that drifts inland from Carbon Beach.

Turner Bros Chimney Pros completed the flashing replacement in a single day. We installed new step flashing interlocked with the roof shingles, seated counter flashing into freshly cut reglets in the mortar joints, and added a small cricket behind the chimney to redirect water flow. Every step was photographed and included in the final report. Her insurer renewed the policy within two weeks. If you're facing a similar situation with your Brentwood home, whether it's a carrier demanding proof of chimney condition or visible flashing damage you want addressed before the next rain, call us to schedule an inspection. We follow CSIA certification standards and NRCA flashing guidelines to make sure the work meets both safety codes and insurer expectations.