Info on Stucco and Plastering-May, 2025-ninetieth issue
Chimney cap causing damage ?
If you zoom in you can see stains and cracks. Cap to be changed to stainless steel . Do you have any thoughts on cracks . I am thinking that the brick / stucco needs a reglet or v groove between them. Thanks
It is obvious the chimney cap, the standing seam part, doesn't extend out far enough to deflect water away from the chimney. A couple inches more all the way around would be better.
It looks to me the chimney cap is leaking, the very top, or the part covering the top of the chimney itself.
This cracking is too extensive to be caused just by water running off the top.
It appears water is coming out of the cracks on the side, indicating water is going in through the top.
You shouldn't need a v groove in between the bricks and the stucco. It doesn't help that the stucco is out past the brick.
You do need kick outs at the gutters.
I can't see the counter flashing on the sides of the chimney, but they may be fine, They may have leaked at one time indicated by the peeling paint below the eave.
My chapter on chimneys can provide more info on flashing chimneys.
