Crickets

A cricket is a small, peaked structure built behind the high side of a chimney. Crickets are designed to guide water away from the chimney and down either side of the roof, allowing water to flow safely into the gutters for proper drainage.

Chimneys naturally interrupt the flow of water on a roof, and without a cricket, water tends to pool in the area where the chimney meets the roof’s surface. In 2012, the IBC (International Building Code) made a code stating that chimneys over 30 inches wide must have a cricket installed perpendicular to the roof’s slope.

Crickets are usually made from wood framing and are then covered in roofing materials such as shingles, aluminium, or copper. If a cricket is not installed, water will pool at the base of the chimney during heavy rain or snow, eventually leading to leaks, rotting wood, damaged flashing, and even interior water damage.

Not having a cricket where one is needed can lead to expensive repairs down the line; if your roof is being repaired or replaced and a chimney or similar structure lacks a cricket, it’s very important to have one fabricated and installed as part of the project.