Details, Details, Details: Stucco or EIFS on Chimney's

In my last entry I talked about columns & pillars and various construction details that are required when Stucco or EIFS is installed.  Today I am going to discuss general chimney construction and how Stucco or EIFS should be installed on them.

Chimney’s come in all shapes and sizes.  Some are constructed in the interior of the building but the most common is for the chimney to be constructed on the outside perimeter of the building.  When this is done, a lot of important construction details must be in place in order for the chimney to avoid moisture intrusion.

Starting with the top of  the chimney, it is extremely important that an appropriate chimney cap is installed.  Chimney caps must be constructed out of a waterproof material (typically sheet metal) and must turn down the sides of the chimney at least 2 inches with a drip edge.  It is also important that the underside of the drip edge is sealed with caulking and that the area around the flume is sealed as well.

Moving down the chimney, the area where the chimney passes through the roof line will typically require kickout flashings to be installed.  You can learn more about the importance of kickout flashings by reading my previous entry (Details, Details, Details: Kickout Flashings),

Other penetrations (side vents, light fixtures, outlets, etc…) that are on the chimney need to be properly sealed as well.

If the bottom of the chimney terminates near or on the ground, specific construction details must be followed.  More on that in my next entry.