How to Make a Roofing Cricket

Building a roofing cricket may seem like an unnecessary detail when a large roofing job looms. This small pitched-roof structure, however, makes a large contribution to overall job success. Stretching from one side of the chimney to the other, between the chimney and upper slope of the roof, the cricket redirects water that can cause severe indoor leaks. Incorporating a cricket into your roofing work prevents accumulations of water, ice and snow that can cause future problems.

Measuring tape
Scrap 1/2-inch plywood (3 to 4 square feet should do most jobs)
Hand or power saw
2 1 1/2-inch L-shaped brackets, screws and screwdriver
Roofing membrane or shingle
Metal flashing
Flashing adhesive and applicator
Paper and pencil for pattern-making (optional)

Instructions

- 1
  Measure the full back width of the chimney (points A to B). Mark a point in the center of the chimney 6 to 12 inches above where the chimney meets the roof (point C). Holding your measuring tape level, extend it from point C to where it meets the upward roof slope (point D).
- 2
  Measure the following two triangles and cut them out of the plywood: A-C-D and B-C-D. Line up triangles with sides C-D facing, and attach them with L-shaped brackets. Tighten screws enough to let you handle the cricket as one piece but loose enough that you can make minor adjustments in fitting when you place the cricket behind the chimney.
- 3
  Cover the cricket with leftover shingles or roofing membrane, leaving extra flaps of shingle or fabric that can be layered with other joining and flashing materials. Tuck flaps under shingles or metal flashing and cover with additional membrane before applying flashing adhesive. This process may be a bit different from one chimney to another, depending on materials previously used, but it best resembles the steps needed to re-cover and secure the roof of a dormer.

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