New Orleans sits in the flat, low crescent between the Mississippi River and Lake Pontchartrain, where summer downpours dump inches of rain in under an hour and wind-driven storms push water sideways against every seam on your roof. On the Creole cottages and shotguns of the Marigny and Bywater, the raised bungalows of Carrollton, and the rebuilt homes out in New Orleans East, the first place that water finds a way in is the flashing. Our Flashing, Chimney & Skylight Repair in New Orleans service targets that exact failure point with in-house bent metal that fits your roof, not a hardware-store approximation. We fabricate counterflashing, step flashing, valley metal, and skylight curbs on site so the water has nowhere to go but off the roof. If you are already chasing a leak, start with our metal roof leak repair page and we will trace it back to the flashing that failed.
Why Flashing Fails First on New Orleans Roofs
Between the humidity that breeds algae and mildew, the intense summer sun that cooks sealant and rubber boots, and the falling oak limbs that knock chimneys and skylights loose, flashing takes more abuse here than anywhere else on the roof. A chimney on a Garden District Italianate or a skylight on a Lakeview ranch is a penetration, and every penetration is a place where two materials meet and move at different rates. When the sealant cracks or the step flashing pulls away from the masonry, the next afternoon thunderstorm finds it.
- We replace rusted or lifted step flashing where the roof plane meets a chimney wall.
- We rebuild skylight curbs and install new counterflashing so the glass and frame shed water cleanly.
- We re-line valleys on hipped and gabled roofs where two planes dump runoff into one channel.
- We seal and cap parapet walls on townhouses and camelbacks where wall flashing has separated.
- We bend custom drip edge and transition metal for dormers and additions that never had proper flashing.
Every repair we finish gets a water test before we leave, because a flashing job that only looks right is not done.
Key info: A raised center-hall home in Treme with a masonry chimney and a 5V crimp roof had been patched with tar three times. The real problem was the counterflashing had pulled away from the brick and the step flashing underneath was rusted through. We bent new copper counterflashing and replaced the steps in one afternoon. No more bucket in the hall.
Roofing permits and inspection requirements vary by jurisdiction, so always confirm the current rules with the local building department before work starts. The City of New Orleans permitting office publishes its own thresholds and forms at nola.gov.
How We Repair and Fabricate Flashing Around Chimneys and Skylights
We do not order pre-bent flashing and hope it fits. On a New Orleans roof, the chimney is rarely square to the ridge and the skylight curb is rarely level after eighty years of settling, so we measure, cut, and bend the metal on site. That is the difference between a repair that lasts one storm season and one that lasts the life of the roof.
- We inspect the penetration from the roof surface and from inside the attic to find every entry point, not just the obvious one.
- We remove the failed flashing, sealant, and any rotted decking or framing underneath.
- We bend new step flashing, counterflashing, and curb metal to match the actual angles of your chimney or skylight.
- We set the metal in a proper membrane and fasten it so it moves with the roof instead of tearing away from it.
- We water-test the repair and photograph it for your records, which helps if you file an insurance claim.
We bring the same fabrication approach to every roof we touch, whether it is a standing seam metal roof or an older corrugated panel roof that needs new transitions.
Key info: A skylight on a raised bungalow in Broadmoor leaked into the ceiling every time a summer storm rolled through. The old curb was built from wood and covered in tar. We rebuilt the curb in metal, bent new counterflashing to the skylight frame, and tied it into the surrounding panels. The homeowner in Metairie who referred us had the same setup and booked the same repair the following week.
Flashing Repair Methods We Use on New Orleans Roofs
Not every flashing problem calls for the same fix. The right approach depends on the roof material, the age of the penetration, and how much movement the structure sees. Here is how we match the method to the job.
| Approach | Description | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Step and counterflashing replacement | New bent metal where the roof meets a chimney or wall, set in membrane. | Masonry chimneys on older homes |
| Skylight curb rebuild | Frame and curb rebuilt in metal with new counterflashing to the glass. | Leaking or tar-patched skylights |
| Valley metal replacement | New valley pan bent to the actual pitch and tied into both roof planes. | Hipped and gabled roofs with rusted valleys |
| Parapet and wall flashing | Cap and counterflashing rebuilt where the roof meets a parapet wall. | Townhouses and camelbacks |
| Transition and drip edge | Custom bent metal at dormers, additions, and roof-to-wall junctions. | Additions and remodels |
We choose the method after we see the penetration, not before, because the cheapest fix is the one that does not have to be redone next hurricane season.
Flashing, Chimney & Skylight Repair Cost in New Orleans: What to Expect
Most flashing repairs in New Orleans start around $600, which covers a straightforward chimney or skylight re-flash with new bent metal. The price moves up from there based on how much has to come apart. A single valley re-line on a Gentilly ranch is a different job than rebuilding a skylight curb on a three-story Garden District townhouse where the crew has to set ladders and stage materials carefully. Access is often the biggest cost driver, especially on steep or tall roofs and on homes packed tight along the Irish Channel and Marigny blocks.
We always recommend getting two or three estimates so you can compare scope, not just the bottom line. A low bid that only re-caulks the flashing is not the same repair as one that replaces the rusted step flashing underneath it. Our full pricing overview is on the pricing page if you want to see how flashing work fits into a larger repair or replacement budget.
Hiring a Metal Roofing Contractor Near New Orleans for Flashing Work
Flashing is small, cheap metal that decides whether your ceiling stays dry, so the contractor matters more than the material. Ask for proof of licensing and insurance before anyone gets on the roof, and get at least two or three written estimates so you can see what each one actually includes. Call references from jobs in your part of town, and ask whether the crew bent the flashing on site or used a stock piece. If your home sits in a historic district or under an HOA, confirm the design review rules before the work starts, and check with the local building department on whether your repair needs a permit.
If you want to talk through a leak or book a look at your flashing, reach us through the contact page or call (504) 636-6074.
Flashing, Chimney & Skylight Repair in New Orleans: Pricing Guide
| Service | Price | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Chimney re-flash | Starting at $600 | New step and counterflashing bent on site, includes removal of failed sealant and water test |
| Skylight curb repair | Starting at $850 | Curb and counterflashing rebuilt in metal, price moves with roof height and access |
| Valley or parapet flashing | Starting at $750 | New valley pan or wall cap bent to your roof pitch, includes tie-in to both planes |
| Complex or large-scale job | On estimate | Multiple penetrations or steep, tall roofs need an on-site look before we quote a number |
| Travel | Included | in New Orleans and surrounding areas, no separate call-out or mileage fee |
| Estimate | Free | Response within 24h at (504) 636-6074, no obligation to book |
Indicative pricing, the exact cost depends on square footage, finish, and site access. Free personalized estimate within 24h at (504) 636-6074.
