Repair & Maintenance · FAQ

When does a chimney need a cricket?

Chimneys 30 inches wide or wider on the up-slope side need a cricket — a small ridged structure behind the chimney that diverts water around it. Without one, water dams up behind the chimney and finds a path through the flashing seam.

Most Madison County chimneys built before 1990 lack crickets entirely; many built since are undersized. Trill installs or upgrades chimney crickets on roughly 40% of chimney-flashing repairs. The cost runs $300 to $700 depending on chimney width and pitch. It’s not optional on wide chimneys; the flashing will leak again within 2 to 4 years if the cricket isn’t installed. Inspectors flag missing crickets as a code issue on newer construction.