If your home has an old chimney that no longer serves a fireplace or heating appliance, replacing your roof may be the perfect opportunity to remove it. At 570 New Roof, we often recommend considering chimney removal when installing a new shingle roof, especially if the chimney has become a recurring source of leaks or is showing signs of age.
For homeowners throughout Wilkes-Barre, Scranton, Hazleton, Bloomsburg, and Northeastern Pennsylvania, removing an unused chimney can provide long-term benefits while creating a cleaner, more attractive roof.
Why Remove an Unused Chimney?
Many older homes in NEPA have chimneys that once vented coal furnaces, wood stoves, or fireplaces that are no longer in use. Even if the chimney isn’t being used, it still penetrates your roof, creating multiple areas where water can enter.
Over time, chimneys commonly develop problems such as:
- Cracked mortar joints
- Deteriorated bricks
- Rusted flashing
- Loose counter flashing
- Water leaks around the chimney
- Freeze-thaw damage from Pennsylvania winters
Instead of investing money into repairing an unnecessary chimney, many homeowners choose to remove it during a roof replacement.
Why Roof Replacement Is the Best Time
Removing a chimney after a new roof has already been installed means disturbing brand-new shingles and potentially creating additional labor costs.
During a roof replacement, the roofing system is already being removed down to the decking. This allows our crew to:
- Safely remove the chimney to the roofline.
- Install new roof decking where needed.
- Rebuild the framing correctly.
- Install ice and water shield.
- Install underlayment.
- Continue the new shingles seamlessly across the repaired area.
The finished roof looks like the chimney was never there.
Prevent Future Roof Leaks
Chimneys are one of the most common leak locations on shingle roofs because they require multiple flashing components working together.
By removing an unused chimney, you eliminate:
- Step flashing
- Counter flashing
- Cricket flashing (if applicable)
- Multiple roof penetrations
Fewer penetrations generally mean fewer opportunities for future water intrusion.
Improve Curb Appeal
Old chimneys often become stained, crooked, or damaged after decades of exposure.
Removing an unused chimney creates a cleaner roofline that many homeowners prefer. It can also make future roof maintenance easier since there are fewer obstacles on the roof.
Hire an Experienced Roofing Contractor
Removing a chimney isn’t simply a demolition project. It requires proper framing, decking installation, waterproofing, and professional shingle installation to ensure the roof remains structurally sound and watertight.
At 570 New Roof, we carefully inspect each home to determine whether chimney removal is appropriate and complete the work according to local building requirements and roofing best practices.
If you’re planning a roof replacement in Northeastern Pennsylvania, ask us whether removing an unused chimney makes sense for your home.
Contact 570 New Roof today at (570) 332-1223 or email office@theroofrepairguys.com to schedule your free roof replacement estimate.