As purchased by the Leons, the back side of the chimney was flashed with metal to prevent water running down the roof from penetrating the brick.
After 50 years, it’s time to approach this problem differently — because water got into the brick and ran down the brick and down the interior framing. Mold grew against the tar paper sheathing inside the walls. As we discovered when Ranserve opened up the walls during demo.
As a first line of attack, the roofer built and installed a metal “cricket” at the back of the chimney, inserting the metal under roof tiles. Instead of water cascading down the roof, slamming into and through the chimney brick, the V shape of the cricket diverts water away from the brick.Inside bedroom 4 upstairs, Matt from Ranserve steps back to examine the tar paper sheathing he tore away from the backside of the brick. After 50 years, the tar paper rips easily and is dried out; it crumbles, actually. Water stains run down the brick and paper. Ron will spray the brick and lumber with bleach to kill any mold.After applying the bleach, and letting it evaporate, Ron and Matt stapled Tyvek sheathing to the studs and up against the chimney brick. Two of the foam insulation installers suit up for the next step.One of the installers sprays a light coat of foam against the corners of the Tyvek and studs. This pushes the Tyvek tightly into the corners and seals the joints.With the joints sealed, the installer begins spraying the entire stud bay.
