A roof cricket is a raised, wedge-shaped structure built behind a chimney or another roof obstruction. Its purpose is to divide water flow and direct rain, melting snow, and ice toward drainage paths instead of allowing moisture to collect against the uphill side of the obstruction.
For homes in Delmar, NY, a properly designed cricket can be especially useful because roofs must handle rain, freeze-thaw cycles, wind-driven precipitation, and periods of snow accumulation. Although a cricket may be relatively small, it plays a significant role in protecting one of the most vulnerable areas of a roof.
What exactly is a roof cricket?
A roof cricket is a sloped structure installed on the higher side of a chimney, skylight, rooftop equipment curb, or similar obstruction. It usually has two angled roof surfaces that meet at a ridge, creating a small peaked form behind the obstruction.
The cricket works much like a miniature roof. Instead of allowing water and snow to press directly against the vertical wall of a chimney, it splits the flow and sends it around both sides. The roof covering, underlayment, flashing, and supporting structure are shaped to work together as one drainage system.
A cricket may be:
- Framed with wood and covered with roofing materials
- Constructed as part of the roof deck
- Formed with tapered insulation on some low-slope roof systems
- Covered with shingles, membrane roofing, metal, or another compatible material
The word “cricket” is sometimes used interchangeably with “saddle,” although local building terminology and roofing practices may distinguish between them. In everyday residential use, both terms generally refer to a raised structure that helps water move around an obstruction.
Why is a cricket installed behind a chimney?
Without a cricket, a chimney interrupts the natural downward path of water and snow. The uphill side can become a collection point where debris, ice, and runoff gather. This creates several risks:
- Water may remain against the chimney flashing for extended periods.
- Snow can build up in a concentrated pocket.
- Ice dams may form where the roof meets the chimney.
- Leaves and small debris may become trapped.
- Repeated wetting and drying can stress flashing joints and roofing materials.
A cricket changes the shape of the roof so precipitation is directed away from this collection zone. It reduces the amount of water relying on a single flashing line to prevent entry.
The design is most valuable when the obstruction is wide in relation to the roof slope. A broad chimney on a relatively low-sloped roof can block a substantial amount of runoff, making a cricket more useful than it would be behind a narrow chimney on a steep roof.
How does a roof cricket manage rain and snow?
A cricket does not eliminate water from the roof. Instead, it improves the route water takes.
Rain striking the upper roof reaches the cricket and divides around its raised center. The sloped sides guide runoff toward the drainage areas on either side of the chimney. Proper flashing then seals the transitions between the cricket, chimney, and roof covering.
Snow behaves differently. It may accumulate on both the cricket and the main roof, especially during prolonged winter weather. The sloped shape can reduce the size of the snow pocket immediately behind the chimney, but it does not guarantee that snow will slide away. Snow guards, roof pitch, surface texture, temperature, and surrounding roof geometry all affect how snow moves.
During freeze-thaw conditions, water may repeatedly melt and refreeze around the chimney. A cricket, combined with correctly installed flashing and adequate attic insulation and ventilation, can reduce the likelihood of persistent moisture at that location.
Does every chimney need a cricket?
No. Whether a cricket is needed depends on the chimney’s width, the roof slope, the roof design, local construction requirements, and the way water and snow move across that particular roof.
A cricket is more likely to be appropriate when:
- The chimney is relatively wide
- The roof slope is low or moderate
- The chimney interrupts a large drainage area
- Snow commonly collects on the uphill side
- The roof has a history of leaking near the chimney
- The obstruction is positioned where runoff naturally concentrates
A narrow chimney on a steep roof may not need a large raised structure, although it still requires properly designed step flashing, counterflashing, and base flashing.
Building requirements can vary according to the project and the adopted code in effect. For new construction, additions, or major roof alterations, the cricket design may need to be coordinated with approved construction documents and local requirements rather than treated as a purely optional detail.
What materials are used on a cricket?
The visible covering is usually selected to match or integrate with the surrounding roof. On a shingle roof, shingles may cover the sloped surfaces, while metal flashing protects the transitions around the chimney. Some systems use membrane roofing or custom metalwork.
The most critical materials are not always visible. Beneath the surface, the assembly may include:
- Structural framing
- Roof sheathing
- Underlayment
- Ice-barrier material in vulnerable areas
- Step flashing
- Counterflashing
- Metal valley or diverter components
- Sealants used only where appropriate
Sealant should not be considered a substitute for correctly shaped and layered flashing. Sealants can age, crack, or separate from masonry and roofing materials. A cricket that looks intact from the ground may still have concealed flashing defects.
What are common signs of a cricket problem?
Water staining around a chimney is one of the clearest warning signs, but leaks may not appear directly beside the chimney. Moisture can travel along roof sheathing, rafters, insulation, or interior framing before becoming visible.
Possible signs include:
- Brown or yellow ceiling stains near the chimney
- Damp insulation in the attic
- Peeling paint or damaged plaster around a chimney chase
- Soft or deteriorated roof sheathing
- Rusted metal components
- Loose or cracked masonry joints
- Shingle damage on the uphill side
- Moss, leaves, or silt collecting behind the chimney
- Repeated leaks after snow or wind-driven rain
A leak that appears only during certain weather may indicate a drainage or flashing problem rather than a general roof failure. Snowmelt and wind-driven rain can expose weaknesses that remain hidden during ordinary rainfall.
Can a cricket be added to an existing roof?
Sometimes, but the work is more involved than placing a small wedge on top of the shingles. An added cricket must connect correctly with the roof deck, underlayment, roof covering, and chimney flashing. Existing materials may need to be removed so the new structure can be integrated rather than simply layered over a problem area.
The condition of the chimney also matters. Damaged masonry, deteriorated mortar joints, or missing counterflashing can allow water into the assembly even after a cricket is added.
Because this work involves roof access, structural transitions, and potentially hazardous conditions, evaluation and installation should be handled by someone qualified to work safely on the specific roof. Extra caution is warranted on steep roofs, icy surfaces, roofs with fragile materials, or homes with concealed damage.
How should homeowners inspect the area?
A ground-level inspection can identify obvious concerns without creating fall risks. Look for visible debris accumulation, displaced shingles, damaged flashing, or cracks in masonry. After heavy rain or a snow event, check accessible attic areas for damp insulation, staining, or active dripping.
Do not walk onto a snowy, icy, or steep roof to inspect a cricket. Snow can conceal weak decking, and a roof that appears stable may have slippery surfaces or hidden openings. Interior and attic observations are often safer and more useful than an informal rooftop inspection.
A roof cricket is a small architectural feature with a practical purpose: keeping water and snow from concentrating behind an obstruction. Its effectiveness depends on the entire system—slope, framing, underlayment, flashing, roof covering, chimney condition, and drainage. In a climate with winter precipitation and frequent temperature changes, that small diversion structure can help prevent a localized drainage issue from becoming concealed roof or interior damage.
