Chimney Chase Repair in Martha Lake, WA
Rotted wood-framed chimney chases rebuilt, sided and flashed so they stay dry. It is a tall box exposed to weather on every side, and a rusted cover or missing roof flashing can let water run inside it for years. We strip the chase, rebuild the framing and sheathing, and finish it with new siding, flashing and a sloped cover that sheds water. We serve homeowners across Martha Lake and nearby Mill Creek and Lynnwood.
Before
AfterChase rebuilt with new sheathing
Why chimney chase repair comes up so often in Martha Lake
Wood-framed chimney chases are common on the 1980s and 1990s homes around Martha Lake, and many still carry the flat sheet-metal cap the builder installed. After enough wet winters that cap rusts or sags, rainwater collects on top and drips straight into the chase. Inside, we typically find blackened plywood, soft studs and occasionally water stains on the ceiling near the fireplace. Repair means stripping the chase siding, rebuilding the framing and sheathing, fitting a pitched cap with a hemmed drip edge, renewing step flashing where the chase passes the roof, and re-siding to blend with the house.
Martha Lake is an unincorporated community wrapped around a small lake between Lynnwood and Mill Creek. Housing ranges from 1960s and 1970s ramblers and split-levels close to the water to 1980s and 1990s two-story subdivision homes farther out, plus newer townhomes and infill along the 164th Street corridor. Common siding includes cedar lap, hardboard, T1-11 on older homes and vinyl on some updates. Most houses have a back deck, often built of pressure-treated lumber, and lakefront lots usually add a lower deck or dock path stepping down toward the shoreline.
Morning fog and still air off the lake keep the neighborhoods closest to the shoreline damp, especially in late fall and winter. Homes facing the water catch light wind and spray from the lake surface, and north-facing walls in the area can go weeks without real drying. Large evergreens around older parcels add shade and needles. Away from the lake, newer homes deal with more standard Puget Sound weather, but tight lot spacing between houses limits airflow and keeps side walls wet longer than you would expect.
Our crew comes out from our Woodinville office, and we also work in nearby Mill Creek, Lynnwood, Bothell and Lake Stickney.
When to call about chimney chase repair in Martha Lake
- Water stains around the fireplace inside
- Gaps at the roof-to-chase flashing
- Paint peeling only on the chase
- A rusted, flat or dented chase cover
- Stains or rust streaks running down the chase
Our chimney chase repair process, step by step
Inspect top and sides
We check the cover, flashing, siding and probe the framing.
Strip the chase
Siding and sheathing come off so all rot is visible.
Rebuild framing
Rotted studs, plates and blocking are replaced.
Sheath, wrap and flash
New sheathing, wrap, roof flashing and chase cover.
Side and finish
New siding and trim, caulked and ready for paint.
Recent chimney chase repair projects near Martha Lake
What we do in Martha Lake
Cricket
A small diverter behind wide chases so water does not pond.
Chase framing
Rotted studs and plates replaced inside the chase.
Sheathing and wrap
New sheathing and weather barrier on all sides.
Chase cover
Sloped, cross-broken cover that sheds water off the top.
Siding and trim
New siding and corners matched to the house.
Roof flashing
Step and counter flashing where the chase meets the roof.
Neighborhoods and permits in Martha Lake
Lakefront homes on Martha Lake face the most moisture, with lower decks and walls that rarely dry out. Neighborhoods near Martha Lake Airport Park and the subdivisions east toward Mill Creek have newer homes on tighter lots. Streets near Interstate 5 and the 164th Street corridor include a mix of older ramblers and recent townhomes, while the areas north toward Alderwood Manor have older homes on larger wooded parcels.
Because Martha Lake is unincorporated, the permitting authority is Snohomish County Planning and Development Services, not Lynnwood or Mill Creek. Patching trim or siding with matching material is often exempt; framing repairs, new decks and full re-siding normally are not. Lakefront projects can raise shoreline questions, so we check with the county before starting.
Chimney chase cover options
| Cover | Shape | Lifespan | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Galvanized flat cover | Flat | Often rusts within 10 years | The most common cause of chase leaks |
| Galvanized sloped cover | Cross-broken | Around 15 years | Sheds water, still needs paint over time |
| Stainless steel sloped cover | Cross-broken | 25 years or more | Will not rust, our usual choice |
| Powder-coated cover | Cross-broken | 20 years or more | Color-matched to roof or trim |
What chimney chase repair typically costs in Martha Lake
| Project | Typical scope | Price range | Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| New chase cover | Remove old cover, install a sloped stainless cover | $800 – $2,500 | 1 day |
| Flashing and siding repair | Roof flashing plus a section of chase siding | $2,500 – $6,000 | 2–3 days |
| Partial chase rebuild | One or two sides opened and reframed | $5,000 – $10,000 | 3–5 days |
| Full chase rebuild | All sides reframed, sheathed, flashed and sided | $10,000 – $22,000 | 1–2 weeks |
These are typical 2026 ranges we see for chimney chase repair in Martha Lake and nearby cities. Your price depends on what we find once the area is open, access and height, and the materials you choose. Every estimate is free, in writing and based on an on-site inspection with photos.
Chimney chase repair in Martha Lake: cost and timing
Most common causes
Flat or rusted chase cover
Water pools on top and leaks into the chase through rust holes and seams.
Missing step and counter flashing
Where the chase meets the roof, water runs into the framing.
No cricket behind wide chases
Water and debris pile up behind the chase on the uphill side of the roof.
What drives the price in Martha Lake
Chimney chase repair in Martha Lake depends on the height of the chase, roof pitch and access, how much framing is rotted and whether a new cover and cricket are needed. You get a written price after the free inspection.
Typical timeline
Most chase rebuilds take a few days to a week, depending on height, weather and paint.
Backed by a 24-month workmanship warranty
Written scope
You know exactly what is included before work starts, with photos of what we found.
Our own crew
The people who quote your job are the people who do it, start to finish.
Clean site daily
Debris is hauled away and your yard is left the way we found it.
24 months covered
If our workmanship fails within two years, we come back and make it right.
What homeowners near Martha Lake say
“We're extremely pleased with the work Alex and the team completed on our home. They gave the entire exterior a fresh new look with new siding, renovated our front porch, and built an additional side porch and back deck. They also replaced several of our…”
“Alex and his team did a great job fixing our siding and bottom door frame which had some rotting. They were professional, competitive in pricing and responsive. Highly recommend Eco Home Repair!”
“I hired Eco Home Repair to fix my front steps and landing, which had become badly rotted and unsafe. Alex was fantastic to work with from start to finish with great communication, clear expectations, and always responsive. The project included decking…”
5.0 average from 106 reviews on Google, Thumbtack, Angi, HomeAdvisor and Yelp. Read our reviews on Google.
Questions Martha Lake homeowners ask about chimney chase repair
Who issues permits for exterior repairs in Martha Lake?
Why does my chimney chase rot in Martha Lake?
What is a chimney chase?
Do you replace the chase cover?
Is a wood chimney chase a fire risk?
More from our crew in Martha Lake
Chimney chase repair near Martha Lake
Tell us about your chimney chase repair project in Martha Lake
- Licensed, bonded & insured
- Free on-site estimates
- 24-month workmanship warranty
Book a free chimney chase repair inspection in Martha Lake
We inspect the damage on-site, show you photos of what we find and give you a written price before any work starts.