If you are wondering why anyone would want a cricket, as in a little insect, behind the chimney then you have never learned, or heard, that third meaning of the word cricket.
A cricket, also called a saddle flashing, is a device that should be put behind a wide chimney. You can see that, while not perfect perhaps, it does help guide leaves, debris and water around the chimney instead of it all collecting across the chimney in back. At the above chimney that moisture had lead to damage of the roof sheathing at that location. That much was clear, despite limited visibility. Recommended widths vary -- that is when is the cricket needed, depending on whom you talk to, but certainly this chimney needs one. A photo of a cricket is below.
Some people believe a cricket should be installed on any chimney that is two feet or more across. Others go with 30 inches and wider.
Steven L. Smith
Bellingham WA Home Inspections
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Ahhhh, That is a good idea. I've seen homes back in Kentucky that regularly had water leaks down the chimney and this would probably have saved them. Thanks for the info.
Sean Allen
Sean,
Thanks for dropping by. Usually the best time to change this, unless it is a real issue, is when the new roof goes on. In the meantime, they need to keep crud out of there. Leaves and debris make it worse.
"At least this "Cricket" makes more sense than the English game:)"
Please give me a break. This widom comes from a guy in shorts, pasty white legs, running up and down the field chasing after a white ball and a bunch of other pasty guys running in the rain.