Welcome New Customers to ECC Chimney Service: Expert Lead Repair for Your Chimney

At ECC Chimney Service, we’re thrilled to open our doors to new customers across Connecticut and Rhode Island! If your chimney’s lead flashing, aprons, or gutter backs are showing signs of wear, our team brings top-tier expertise to keep your home dry and secure. Here’s how we tackle lead repairs with precision and care:

Why Lead Matters for Your Chimney

Lead is the gold standard for sealing where your chimney meets your roof. Components like the lead apron (front), soakers (sides), step flashing (overlaps), and gutter back (rear) protect against leaks. When cracks, lifts, or damp spots appear, it’s time for a fix—and we’ve got you covered.

Our Lead Repair Process

1. Thorough Inspection: We assess your chimney’s lead—whether it’s a small split or a full replacement job—using advanced tools like video inspections.
2. Expert Removal: We carefully remove damaged lead, clearing old mortar from brick joints for a solid fit.
3. Precision Installation:
   • We use Code 4 lead (1.8mm) for aprons and flashing, and Code 5 (2.24mm) for gutter backs to handle heavy water flow.
   • Soakers go in first, followed by step flashing secured with lead clips, then a neatly folded apron and a custom-shaped gutter back—all sealed with flexible lead sealant for lasting protection.
4. Quality Finish: Every piece overlaps perfectly, ensuring no leaks sneak through.

Why Choose ECC Chimney Service?

• High-Quality Materials: We stick to British Standard lead (BS EN 12588) for repairs that last 30–90 years—or more!
• Safety First: Our team handles the heights and hazards, so you don’t have to.
• Trusted Pros: Serving Thompson, CT, and beyond, we’re known for detailed work and customer satisfaction.

Ready to Get Started?

Call us at 860-336-1517 to schedule your inspection today. Let ECC Chimney Service bring our expertise to your home—because your chimney deserves the best!

Definition of A gutter back (sometimes called a “Cricket”, “back gutter” or “chimney back gutter”) is a specific piece of flashing used in chimney construction to manage water runoff at the rear of the chimney where it meets the roof. It’s typically made of lead, copper, or another durable, waterproof material and is installed behind the chimney stack, where the roof slopes upward toward the chimney base.

Purpose and Function:

• Water Diversion: The gutter back channels rainwater and snowmelt away from the chimney’s rear, preventing water from pooling or seeping into the roof structure or chimney masonry.
• Protection: It protects the vulnerable junction between the chimney and the roof, which is prone to leaks due to high water volume, especially on pitched roofs where water flows down toward the chimney.
• Design: It’s shaped with raised edges (often curled or folded) to form a shallow trough, directing water to the sides, where it’s then handled by step flashing or soakers.

Why It’s Important:

• Without a properly installed gutter back, water can infiltrate the roof deck, leading to rot, mold, or damage to the chimney’s brickwork and mortar—especially in freeze-thaw climates where trapped water expands and cracks materials.
• It’s often thicker (e.g., Code 5 lead, 2.24mm) than other flashing due to the heavy water exposure at the chimney’s uphill side.