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Certified crew
Manufacturer-trained installation to spec.
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Licensed & insured
Fully licensed and insured. Verify on L&I
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5-star rated
Trusted by homeowners across Greater Seattle.
Ceiling stains that track to the brick
The stain often shows on the ceiling next to the fireplace, or in the attic along the masonry, while the firebox itself stays dry. That pattern means water crossed the roof-to-brick joint and traveled down. We match the stain to a corner, a back pan, or a lifted shingle before we talk about metal.
1
Match the stain to a corner
Inside, we note which side of the fireplace is wet and how high the mark sits. On the roof, that usually lines up with one corner, the upslope face, or a course of shingles that no longer covers the step piece. Photos of both sides go in the scope so the repair is tied to the stain, not to a guess from the yard.
2
Read the old cement
A thick smear of roof cement over the brick is a clue that someone already chased this leak. Cement can bridge a gap for a season. It does not rebuild the lap. We look for metal that is buried, rusted through, or nailed flat against the masonry with no counter piece above it.
3
Split roof work from mortar
If the mortar joint is soft, a cut-in for the counter piece will not hold. We mark that as masonry, not as roof metal, and we do not tuckpoint it. Active dripping is a different clock: call (425) 758-9982 and we stabilize first, then return for the metal on a dry window.
What we reset at the brick
The work stays on the roof side of the masonry. We are not selling a full tear-off unless the field shingles around the brick are already brittle.
Sidewall step pieces
new metal woven with each shingle course along both sides
Counter piece
upper metal that covers the steps and is let into a sound mortar joint
Apron at the downslope face
the lower pan that kicks water onto the shingles below
Upslope saddle
a small cricket when the brick is wide enough to pond water on the back
Shingle weave
courses replaced only where they no longer cover the metal
Deck check
soft or stained sheathing noted where a leak has been open for years
Cement removal
failed roof cement scraped back so the laps can shed water
Active-water stop
a temporary cover when the ceiling is dripping, then permanent metal later
For non-urgent inspections or planned work, see roof inspection & estimate or contact us to schedule at a time that works for you.
Roof cement hides the lap
Water needs a shingle covering the top of each step piece, and a counter piece covering those steps. A smear across the brick skips both. It can look sealed until the next wind-driven rain finds the same path.
We scrape cement only where it blocks the new laps. The estimate names roof metal separately from any mortar that a mason has to cut or repoint. If the sheathing is soft, that shows up as its own line, not as a surprise after the metal is on.
From the stain to the new laps
Photograph both sides
We shoot the ceiling or attic mark and the same corner on the roof. The two photos have to agree before we order metal.
Open only the failed courses
Shingles come off where they no longer cover the step pieces. Sound courses next to the brick stay if they still shed water.
Set the laps and stop
Steps go in with the courses, the counter piece covers them, and the apron kicks water below the brick. We do not coat the joint with cement and call that finished.
Written terms on qualifying metal work
Qualifying labor carries a 5-year workmanship term, and eligible materials can carry up to 30 years from the manufacturer. Both are written on the estimate before you approve the work. Our Washington contractor license CONSTEL785OR is on the L&I verify page.
5
Year labor warranty
30
Year material warranty
FAQ · Contact us for terms on your project.
Why homeowners choose Construction Elite LLC
- Free inspections & written estimates — clear scope before you approve work
- Master Craftsman certified crew — repairs to manufacturer standards
- Licensed and insured in Washington
- Serving Greater Seattle since 2021 — King, Snohomish, and Pierce Counties
- Written estimates before permanent repair or replacement begins
5-Star Rated on Google
Homeowners call after a fireplace-adjacent stain, a failed cement smear, or dripping that shows up only in wind-driven rain.
Brick corners and the metal beside them
Sidewall pieces, aprons, and counter metal on asphalt shingle roofs. The photos show the joint, not a whole-house reroof.
Service area for this brick detail
Chimney flashing repair in Seattle is scheduled from our Bothell shop across King, Snohomish, and Pierce Counties. Say which city you are in when you call so we can be straight about drive time.
Questions after a fireplace stain
Why is the ceiling wet beside the fireplace but the firebox is dry?
What does a thick smear of roof cement usually mean?
Can the metal be replaced without tearing off the whole roof?
Do you repoint cracked mortar or loose brick?
When does a wide chimney need a saddle above it?
Should dripping wait for a dry day?
What gets photographed before any shingles come off?
What warranty is written for this metal work?
Related roofing services
If the shingles well away from the brick are brittle or the deck is soft in the field, the scope says so before we price anything larger.
Nearby detail repairs
These are separate jobs. Open them when the wet spot is not at the brick.
Water active beside the fireplace?
If the ceiling is dripping, call (425) 758-9982. If it can wait for a dry day, send a photo of the stain through the contact form and we will schedule the metal work.
Construction Elite LLC · 4405 153rd Pl SE, Bothell, WA 98012
For a related scope, shingle roof installation in Edmonds walks through what we check and photograph on the roof before anything is quoted.
Before work is scoped in Kenmore, we inspect and photo-document the deck, flashing and ventilation — see shingle roof installation in Kenmore for the next step.
Homeowners comparing options in Lake Forest Park can start with Lake Forest Park shingle roof installation, where the inspection-first process is laid out before any work is recommended.