Cricket (Roof)
A peaked structure built behind a chimney or other roof obstruction to divert water around it. Prevents water and debris buildup that can cause leaks.
A peaked structure built behind a chimney or other roof obstruction to divert water around it. Prevents water and debris buildup that can cause leaks.
Why Crickets Matter for Insurance Claims
Crickets are a code-required feature behind wide chimneys, and their absence or deterioration is a frequent cause of water damage. When a roof is replaced due to storm damage, the cricket should be inspected and replaced if damaged. If the original roof lacked a cricket and current code requires one, the cost of adding it can be included in the claim under ordinance or law coverage. Documenting whether a cricket existed before the loss is important for supplement justification.
Cricket Components in Xactimate
A cricket is a small framed structure with its own decking, underlayment, flashing, and shingle covering. In Xactimate, each of these components is estimated separately. The framing is typically a few pieces of lumber, the decking is plywood or OSB, and the flashing ties into the chimney counter flashing and surrounding roof flashing. Properly estimating a cricket requires measuring the chimney width and the pitch of the diverter structure.
Construction and Maintenance
Crickets are built with a small peaked frame that sheds water to both sides of the chimney rather than allowing it to pool behind the masonry. The metal flashing that covers the cricket is soldered or sealed at the chimney face and integrates with the step flashing on each side. Over time, the flashing joints can crack, and the cricket structure itself can deteriorate. During a re-roof, replacing the cricket flashing and inspecting the structure beneath it prevents future leak problems.
Frequently asked questions
The International Residential Code requires a cricket behind any chimney wider than 30 inches that sits on the downslope side of the roof. If the existing roof did not have a required cricket, adding one during a re-roof may be covered as a code upgrade.
A cricket includes framing (small rafter structure), decking, underlayment, flashing, and shingles. Each component is a separate line item. The complexity of the cricket determines whether it is estimated as a few line items or a more detailed build-up.
Without a cricket, water and debris collect behind the chimney, accelerating deterioration and causing leaks at the flashing intersection. This is one of the most common causes of chimney-related roof leaks on older homes.
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