In April 2026, Loudoun Roofing fixed the flashing at two problem spots on a home in the Potomac Crossing neighborhood of Leesburg, Loudoun County, Virginia: a vinyl-sided chimney chase where the shingles were butted against the siding with no proper flashing, and a brick wall where the front porch roof meets the house. The crew installed new step flashing at the chimney and new apron and counter flashing at the brick, and matched the existing GAF Timberline shingles in Charcoal.
Project at a glance
- Location: Potomac Crossing, Leesburg, Loudoun County, Virginia
- Project: Chimney and wall flashing repair
- Areas: Vinyl-sided chimney chase and the brick wall over the front porch roof
- Fix: New step flashing and drip edge at the chimney; new apron and counter flashing at the brick, caulked
- Also: Rusted metal chimney flue painted
- Shingles: GAF Timberline, Charcoal, matched to the existing roof
- Inspection: April 6, 2026
- Completed: April 17, 2026
- Contractor: Loudoun Roofing HIC
About Potomac Crossing
Potomac Crossing is one of Leesburg’s larger neighborhoods, with about 930 single-family homes and townhomes, according to Loudoun County’s residential community data.
About Leesburg
Leesburg is the county seat of Loudoun County, with a historic downtown and neighborhoods that range from older brick homes near the town center to newer subdivisions on the edges of town. Learn more from the Town of Leesburg.
The challenge and how we solved it
The April inspection found two places where water could get behind the roof. At the chimney chase, the shingle edges were simply butted against the vinyl siding with no proper flashing, and rust was running down the metal chimney flue. Over the front porch, the sealant where the porch roof meets the brick wall had cracked, and there was a gap in the flashing.
The crew opened up both areas. At the chimney, they removed the shingles on the low side, added drip edge and installed new step flashing and shingles on the high side, then painted the rusted flue. At the porch, they installed new apron flashing and counter flashing correctly against the brick and caulked it.
Before
What we did
- Inspected the chimney chase and the porch wall and documented the problems.
- Removed the shingles at the low side of the chimney and around the antenna, and added drip edge.
- Removed siding at the chimney chase and installed new step flashing and shingles on the high side.
- Painted the rusted metal chimney flue.
- Installed new apron flashing and counter flashing along the brick wall over the front porch.
- Caulked the new flashing at the brick.
- Matched the existing GAF Timberline shingles in Charcoal and checked the repairs.
The finished project
Why these materials
Step flashing at the chimney chase. Step flashing is woven in with each course of shingles and tucked behind the siding, so water running down the chase lands on top of the shingles.
Apron and counter flashing at the brick. Apron flashing runs along the bottom of the wall over the shingles, and counter flashing covers its top edge so water can’t run behind it.
Matching shingles. The repair shingles match the existing GAF Timberline roof in Charcoal. See our GAF Timberline page for more on the line.
Keeping your roof in good shape
- Check your attic a couple of times a year for water stains, and keep attic vents clear so moisture can escape.
- Clean your gutters after the fall leaf drop and again in spring. Clogged gutters push water back under the edge of the roof.
- After strong storms or wind warnings from the National Weather Service Baltimore/Washington office in Sterling, look over your roof from the ground for missing or lifted shingles.
- Check where your roof meets a chimney or brick wall. Cracked caulk, gaps or rust stains there are early signs the flashing needs attention.
Frequently asked questions
Most chimney leaks come from flashing, not the chimney itself. On this Leesburg home, the shingles were butted against the chimney siding with no proper step flashing.
It is a strip of metal that covers the top edge of the apron or step flashing against a wall, so water can’t run down behind it.
Often, yes. Here the crew matched the existing GAF Timberline shingles in Charcoal.
Paint slows further rust and keeps the flue looking clean. On this repair, the crew painted the rusted flue black.
Planning a roof project in Leesburg?
Planning a roof project in Leesburg? See our Leesburg roofing page, learn about roof replacement and roof repair, browse more completed projects, or contact us for a free estimate.