Chimney Chase Repair in Seattle, 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 Seattle and nearby Shoreline and Lake Forest Park.
Before
AfterChase rebuilt with new sheathing
Why chimney chase repair comes up so often in Seattle
Most older Seattle homes have brick chimneys, but many newer townhomes and remodeled houses have wood-framed chimney chases wrapped in siding with a metal chase cover on top. Flat or poorly sloped covers rust and hold water, and once they leak the framing inside the chase rots quietly for years. We replace the cover with a sloped, sealed one, rebuild rotted chase framing and sheathing, re-side the box to match, and flash it properly where it meets the roof and the main wall.
Most of the Seattle homes we work on are north of the Ship Canal. Ballard, Wallingford, Greenwood and Ravenna are full of Craftsman bungalows and foursquares from the early 1900s, along with brick-and-stucco Tudors from the 1920s and 30s. Many still wear their original old-growth cedar lap siding or shingles, nailed straight to board sheathing with no house wrap behind. Farther north, Lake City, Northgate and Maple Leaf filled in after the war with ramblers and daylight basements. Narrow city lots, alleys and tight side yards are the norm, and newer three-story townhomes with rooftop decks and mixed siding have replaced many older houses near the commercial streets.
Seattle’s winters are long, gray and drizzly rather than stormy, so exterior wood rarely gets a full drying day from October into spring. On homes near the water, wind off Puget Sound or Lake Washington pushes rain sideways into the exposed walls. Tight lot spacing works against drying too, because a wall that faces a neighbor five feet away almost never sees direct sun. The result is slow, steady decay at window sills, siding butt ends, deck ledgers and porch floors rather than one dramatic failure.
Our crew comes out from our Woodinville office, and we also work in nearby Shoreline, Lake Forest Park, Edmonds and Kirkland.
When to call about chimney chase repair in Seattle
- Paint peeling only on the chase
- Stains or rust streaks running down the chase
- Gaps at the roof-to-chase flashing
- Soft or bulging siding on the chase
- A rusted, flat or dented chase cover
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 Seattle
What we do in Seattle
Chase framing
Rotted studs and plates replaced inside the chase.
Roof flashing
Step and counter flashing where the chase meets the roof.
Chase cover
Sloped, cross-broken cover that sheds water off the top.
Sheathing and wrap
New sheathing and weather barrier on all sides.
Cricket
A small diverter behind wide chases so water does not pond.
Siding and trim
New siding and corners matched to the house.
Neighborhoods and permits in Seattle
Conditions change block to block. Magnolia and the Ballard bluffs take open wind off the Sound, so west and south walls weather fastest. Laurelhurst and View Ridge face Lake Washington with similar lake-driven rain. Ravenna and the Thornton Creek corridor through Lake City sit under big trees in damp ravines, where moss and shade keep siding wet. Phinney Ridge and Queen Anne get more sun but more wind, while dense Fremont and Wallingford blocks shade each other.
Small like-for-like repairs often don’t need a permit, but structural work, new decks, and larger siding or window replacements usually do. The City of Seattle handles permits through its Department of Construction and Inspections, and homes in historic districts may need extra review. We check with the City of Seattle before starting and tell you up front if a permit is part of the job.
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 Seattle
| 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 Seattle 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 Seattle: 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.
No cricket behind wide chases
Water and debris pile up behind the chase on the uphill side of the roof.
Siding without a barrier
Many chases were sided without house wrap, so any leak reaches the sheathing.
What drives the price in Seattle
Chimney chase repair in Seattle 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 Seattle 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…”
“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!”
5.0 average from 106 reviews on Google, Thumbtack, Angi, HomeAdvisor and Yelp. Read our reviews on Google.
Questions Seattle homeowners ask about chimney chase repair
Can you repair original cedar siding on my old Seattle house instead of replacing it?
Why does my chimney chase rot in Seattle?
How long does a chase rebuild take?
Do you replace the chase cover?
Should the chase cover be replaced every time?
More from our crew in Seattle
Chimney chase repair near Seattle
Tell us about your chimney chase repair project in Seattle
- Licensed, bonded & insured
- Free on-site estimates
- 24-month workmanship warranty
Book a free chimney chase repair inspection in Seattle
We inspect the damage on-site, show you photos of what we find and give you a written price before any work starts.