Chimney Chase Repair in Mercer Island, 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 Mercer Island and nearby Bellevue and Seattle.
Before
AfterChase rebuilt with new sheathing
Why chimney chase repair comes up so often in Mercer Island
Wood-framed chimney chases are found on many Mercer Island homes built or remodeled from the 1970s onward. Flat metal caps rust and hold water, which leaks into the chase and rots framing and siding from inside. Trees shading roofs along East and West Mercer Way slow drying and speed decay. Our fix starts at the top with a pitched cover that overhangs the chase walls. Below it, soft framing and plywood are rebuilt, the chase is re-sided to blend with the house, and new step and counter flashing seals the roof line.
Mercer Island’s homes range from 1940s and 50s cottages in East Seattle and the North End to mid-century ramblers in neighborhoods like Mercerwood, and many large newer houses built on the island’s slopes and shoreline. Older homes often have cedar or wood lap siding, while newer ones use fiber cement, stucco or mixed cladding. Lots tend to be sloped and wooded, with daylight basements and decks that step down toward Lake Washington views. Waterfront homes along East and West Mercer Way often have docks, boathouses and multi-level terraces.
Surrounded by Lake Washington, Mercer Island gets wind from almost every direction depending on the storm, and lake-facing walls take wind-driven rain. Steep, wooded slopes keep many homes shaded and damp, and dense trees around Pioneer Park and along the Mercer Ways drop needles that clog gutters. Long wet winters mean wood rarely dries out between fall and spring. Large windows and decks oriented toward the water are the most exposed parts of most homes.
Our crew comes out from our Woodinville office, and we also work in nearby Bellevue, Seattle, Medina and Kirkland.
When to call about chimney chase repair in Mercer Island
- Water stains around the fireplace inside
- A rusted, flat or dented chase cover
- Soft or bulging siding on the chase
- Stains or rust streaks running down the chase
- Gaps at the roof-to-chase flashing
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 Mercer Island
What we do in Mercer Island
Sheathing and wrap
New sheathing and weather barrier on all sides.
Siding and trim
New siding and corners matched to the house.
Chase cover
Sloped, cross-broken cover that sheds water off the top.
Roof flashing
Step and counter flashing where the chase meets the roof.
Cricket
A small diverter behind wide chases so water does not pond.
Chase framing
Rotted studs and plates replaced inside the chase.
Neighborhoods and permits in Mercer Island
North End homes near I-90 and Luther Burbank Park include many older houses with original siding and small decks. East Seattle and the west side face Seattle across the lake, catching weather on west walls. Mercerwood and the central island have mid-century homes under heavy tree cover. The South End and properties along East Mercer Way sit on steep, wooded slopes where tall decks and daylight basements are common.
Patching small areas of trim, siding or decking with identical material rarely needs a permit. Steep-lot deck rebuilds, structural work and larger replacements usually call for one. The City of Mercer Island handles that review, and we confirm the requirements with them up front, submit what is needed, and keep inspections on the calendar.
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 Mercer Island
| 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 Mercer Island 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 Mercer Island: cost and timing
Most common causes
Siding without a barrier
Many chases were sided without house wrap, so any leak reaches the sheathing.
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 Mercer Island
Chimney chase repair in Mercer Island 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 Mercer Island say
“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…”
“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…”
“As a Condominium owner finding contractors that can work with multiple concerns at once is a challenge. The team at Eco Home Repair has been our go-to for several projects including deck and front porch repairs, siding replacement, chimney chassis repairs…”
5.0 average from 106 reviews on Google, Thumbtack, Angi, HomeAdvisor and Yelp. Read our reviews on Google.
Questions Mercer Island homeowners ask about chimney chase repair
Do you serve all parts of Mercer Island, including steep South End lots?
Why does my chimney chase rot in Mercer Island?
Do you repair brick chimneys?
How long does a chase rebuild take?
Should the chase cover be replaced every time?
More from our crew in Mercer Island
Chimney chase repair near Mercer Island
Tell us about your chimney chase repair project in Mercer Island
- Licensed, bonded & insured
- Free on-site estimates
- 24-month workmanship warranty
Book a free chimney chase repair inspection in Mercer Island
We inspect the damage on-site, show you photos of what we find and give you a written price before any work starts.