Look for water stains on ceilings or walls near the chimney, rust or wear on the flashing, loose or missing flashing pieces, and water dripping in the fireplace when it rains. If you see any of these, get your chimney flashing checked and fixed soon to avoid more damage.

Check your chimney flashing yearly as part of regular maintenance. Good flashing can last 15-20 years, but this varies based on the material and weather. Regular checks help catch problems early and make your flashing last longer.

While you might want to fix small issues yourself, it's best to let professionals handle big repairs and installations. Proper installation needs special skills, tools, and knowledge of roofing and masonry. Doing it wrong can cause water damage, which costs more than hiring a pro. Also, working on a roof can be dangerous without the right safety gear and experience.