A roof replacement changes the materials around a chimney, so it is a natural time to ask who will handle the weatherproof transition. Homeowners can assume that “the roof is new” includes every chimney detail, while a roofer's proposal may say something more limited. A chimney professional may assume the roofer is handling flashing. In Parkland, as anywhere, get the scope in writing before work begins.
Flashing is the weatherproof integration at the roof-to-chimney junction. The chimney cap sits at the top of the flue, while a crown or chase cover protects another surface higher up. Replacing the roof does not automatically repair a cracked crown; replacing a cap does not install correct flashing. CSIA's water-protection guide describes these as separate components.
A handoff checklist for two trades
Before the roof job: Photograph accessible interior stains and exterior roofline from the ground. Give the roofer any prior leak report, chimney inspection or repair invoice. Ask what the roofing contract says about removing and replacing step/counterflashing or other components for your particular roof and chimney. Ask whether a chimney specialist needs to evaluate the masonry or chase before the roofer starts.
During planning: Establish who supplies material, who installs which part, how the two crews coordinate, and whether any chimney-top defect is outside the roofing contract. If there is already a leak, ask how the source will be investigated rather than assuming the new roof alone addresses it. The answer may depend on access and construction uncovered during work.
After completion: Request photos showing the completed junction, keep product/work records, and note what parts were not included. If water later appears, the written scope helps identify who needs to inspect it. The purpose of this record is coordination, not assigning legal liability from a blog post.
A property owner should also ask the contractors which permits or inspections are required for the actual Parkland work. That depends on the scope and current local authority; do not rely on a blanket internet answer. For a managed property, confirm roof access and notice requirements.
If a chimney inspection identifies a separate flue or firebox defect, include it in the overall project plan without conflating it with roofing. A sound chimney flashing repair recommendation describes exactly where water protection is being restored and which adjacent roofing details belong to the other contractor. The clearest jobs are the ones in which the two trades know where one scope ends and the other begins.
Photograph the interface before it disappears
If the roofer is removing old materials around the chimney, ask for images of the existing junction before new layers cover it. This can reveal whether metal was corroded, counterflashing was loose or masonry at the joint was deteriorated. Do not direct workers on the roof yourself; ask the project lead to document the condition and flag anything outside their agreed scope. An unexpected defect is easier to discuss while the junction is accessible than after the roof has been completed.
For a framed chase, the visible siding and metal top may belong to a different trade from the roofing. For masonry, the counterflashing may be integrated with joints that a mason must assess. A written plan can name who restores which component and who takes the final photos. If a team proposes caulk as the entire interface solution, ask for the intended design and manufacturer details rather than relying on a tube of sealant as a universal answer.
After the roof job, check whether the chimney service history should be updated. Did the roofing team replace flashing, reuse it, or leave that portion untouched? Were any unrelated cap, crown or chase defects noted? Put the answer in one shared record with the roof warranty and chimney inspection. If an interior stain later appears, the date and exact scope will make the investigation more focused.
Do not assume that a new roof automatically makes a previously unused fireplace ready for operation. Roof weatherproofing and vent condition are separate questions. If the fireplace has been idle or has an unknown inspection history, schedule an appropriate chimney evaluation before use even if the roof looks excellent.
Further reading: CSIA on chimney flashing and water damage.