Chimney Chase Repair in Mill Creek, WA
Chimney chase rot repair: framing, sheathing, siding, flashing and a new chase cover. 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 Mill Creek and nearby Everett and Bothell.
Before
AfterChase rebuilt with new sheathing
Why chimney chase repair comes up so often in Mill Creek
Plenty of Mill Creek houses have a wood-framed chimney chase on an outside wall, wrapped in the same siding as the rest of the home and topped with a sheet-metal chase cover. Those flat covers rust through after a couple of decades and let water pour into the framing. We commonly find soft studs, rotted plywood and wet insulation inside the chase. We replace damaged framing and sheathing, install a new sloped stainless or galvanized cover with a drip edge, re-flash where the chase meets the roof, and re-side it to blend with your existing walls.
Mill Creek grew as a planned community starting in the 1970s and filled in through the 1980s, 1990s and early 2000s, so most houses are builder-designed two-story homes and daylight ramblers on modest lots that back onto greenbelts or the golf course. Original siding is usually cedar lap, hardboard lap or panel siding, with fiber cement showing up on later phases and on homes that were re-sided. Attached cedar or pressure-treated decks off the kitchen are standard, and many were built at the same time as the house. Townhomes and newer homes cluster near Town Center and in the eastern annexed areas.
The defining exposure here is shade and moisture from the protected creek corridors and wetlands that wind through the city. Back walls and decks facing North Creek, Penny Creek or the native growth tracts may only see direct sun for a few hours on winter days, so wood stays damp from fall into late spring. Fir needles and leaf litter pile up in gutters and deck gaps. Rain here is steady rather than dramatic, and that constant wetting is what slowly breaks down paint, sealant and builder flashing on 30- and 40-year-old homes.
Our crew comes out from our Woodinville office, and we also work in nearby Everett, Bothell, Lynnwood and Snohomish.
When to call about chimney chase repair in Mill Creek
- Soft or bulging siding on the chase
- Stains or rust streaks running down the chase
- Paint peeling only on the chase
- Water stains around the fireplace inside
- 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 Mill Creek
What we do in Mill Creek
Cricket
A small diverter behind wide chases so water does not pond.
Roof flashing
Step and counter flashing where the chase meets the roof.
Sheathing and wrap
New sheathing and weather barrier on all sides.
Chase framing
Rotted studs and plates replaced inside the chase.
Siding and trim
New siding and corners matched to the house.
Chase cover
Sloped, cross-broken cover that sheds water off the top.
Neighborhoods and permits in Mill Creek
Homes around the Mill Creek Country Club fairways get more open sky and afternoon sun, but lower walls near the course irrigation stay wet. Lots along the Penny Creek and North Creek greenbelts are the shadiest we see in town. Mill Creek East, built later on higher ground off Seattle Hill Road, has newer construction where flashing defects matter more than age. Townhomes near Town Center have shared walls and tight balconies that trap water.
Swapping a few rotted boards for identical ones typically needs no permit; framing repairs, new decks and big siding replacements generally do. We confirm what applies with the City of Mill Creek before starting and build the schedule around any review. Many neighborhoods also have community association rules on colors and materials, so we match existing finishes and help you gather what the association asks for.
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 Mill Creek
| 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 Mill Creek 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 Mill Creek: cost and timing
Most common causes
No cricket behind wide chases
Water and debris pile up behind the chase on the uphill side of the roof.
Flat or rusted chase cover
Water pools on top and leaks into the chase through rust holes and seams.
Siding without a barrier
Many chases were sided without house wrap, so any leak reaches the sheathing.
What drives the price in Mill Creek
Chimney chase repair in Mill Creek 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 Mill Creek 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…”
“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…”
“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 Mill Creek homeowners ask about chimney chase repair
Will repairs on my Mill Creek home match the existing siding and paint?
Why does my chimney chase rot in Mill Creek?
What is a chimney chase?
How long does a chase rebuild take?
Is a wood chimney chase a fire risk?
More from our crew in Mill Creek
Chimney chase repair near Mill Creek
Tell us about your chimney chase repair project in Mill Creek
- Licensed, bonded & insured
- Free on-site estimates
- 24-month workmanship warranty
Book a free chimney chase repair inspection in Mill Creek
We inspect the damage on-site, show you photos of what we find and give you a written price before any work starts.