Oshkosh roofs in Winnebago County face repeated expansion and contraction from humid continental winters that push snow against chimneys and force water under old step flashing. Homes built before 1970 in the Northwest neighborhood and around the Oshkosh Public Museum often have counter flashing embedded in mortar joints that has pulled loose after decades of freeze-thaw movement. We cut out failed sections, install new 26-gauge galvanized or copper step flashing with proper overlaps, and re-seal the counter flashing without disturbing the chimney crown.
Access on two-story homes near the Fox River requires scaffolding that accounts for narrow side yards and mature trees common in Downtown blocks. We match existing shingle courses so the repair blends on asphalt or cedar roofs typical in the area. Proper cricket installation behind wide chimneys prevents ice dams that form when runoff from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh campus area meets prevailing northwest winds.
We never reuse corroded flashing or rely on sealant alone; every joint receives mechanical fastening and counter flashing tucked into a reglet or saw-cut mortar joint. This approach holds up when spring melt sends water down valleys that empty near chimneys on older Winnebago County stock.
Homeowners in Fond du Lac and Green Bay occasionally call after similar flashing failures, but the heavier lake-effect snow loads here demand thicker metal and steeper cricket angles than those inland markets require.
Technician insight
In Oshkosh the thing that catches most people out with Chimney Flashing Repair is reusing the original counter flashing after the step flashing has already failed; the old metal has already fatigued from decades of snow load and the freeze-thaw cycles that hit Winnebago County harder than areas closer to Green Bay.
Northwest Neighborhood Chimney Leak
Heavy March melt sent water under the flashing on a 1960s home near the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh. We found the original galvanized step flashing had corroded through at the overlaps. We replaced the step and counter flashing with new 26-gauge metal and added a small cricket. The homeowner reported no further attic moisture after the next snow event.
Chimney Flashing Repair Services We Offer
✓Step Flashing Replacement
Remove corroded step flashing and install new 26-gauge metal with correct overlaps to stop leaks where the chimney meets the roof plane.
✓Counter Flashing Reinstallation
Cut fresh reglets in masonry and tuck new counter flashing to create a permanent seal against wind-driven rain and melting snow.
✓Chimney Cricket Installation
Build a new cricket behind wide chimneys to divert heavy snow loads and prevent ice dams common on Northwest Oshkosh roofs.
✓Mortar Joint Sealing
Repoint and seal chimney mortar joints above the flashing line to stop water entry that travels down the flue and appears inside the attic.
✓Copper Flashing Upgrade
Replace galvanized flashing with copper on historic homes near the Oshkosh Public Museum for longer service life in freeze-thaw conditions.
Chimney Flashing Repair Cost in Oshkosh, WI
| Service | Typical Range | What Affects It |
|---|---|---|
| Standard step flashing repair | $450–$750 | Single-story homes with easy ladder access in Northwest neighborhood |
| Counter flashing and reglet work | $350–$600 | Masonry chimneys needing new mortar cuts |
| Cricket addition | $650–$1,100 | Wide chimneys on two-story homes near Downtown |
| Copper upgrade | $800–$1,400 | Historic homes around Oshkosh Public Museum |
Ranges are typical for Oshkosh, WI and confirmed with an exact written quote before any work starts.
How it works
- 1
Roof and Chimney Inspection
We climb the roof from both sides, check flashing condition, and note ice-dam evidence typical after Winnebago County winters.
- 2
Material Selection and Prep
We match existing metal type and color, then cut new flashing on site to fit the specific chimney angle and shingle exposure.
- 3
Flashing Removal and Installation
Old flashing is removed, new step and counter flashing are installed with proper overlaps and mechanical fasteners.
- 4
Water Test and Cleanup
We run a controlled water test, confirm no interior leaks, and restore shingles and attic insulation disturbed during the repair.
Pricing
Most chimney flashing repairs fall into mid-range pricing that rises with roof pitch, chimney height, and whether a cricket is required.