I would say this is over 30” wide and would require a cricket. Can’t really prove it since the picture was taken with a drone and wasn’t measured.just eyeballing it I’m thinking that has got to be more than 40” wide
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If the bricks are standard (8 inches long x 3 5/8 inches wide x 2 1/4 inches high) then it’s over 30" wide.
You got other problems there as well.
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It will be very interesting to build a cricket that close to the ridge, but I suppose anything is possible. Also, I would steer away from “required” and just recommend. That is an older home, cricket “requirements” likely not a factor.
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Next time I’d drop the drone down a little lower for it to appear as though you were actually on the roof 
. But it does appear though there could be a water trap and will need a cricket based on the rusted flashing. I’d call it out to be on the safe side, and the rusted flashing is there to help support that theory especially since you were not able to physically measure it.
Don’t forget your rain cap as well
Non-issue!!
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If the cricket intersects with the ridge line then it is not required. Found in IRC 2012 R003.20
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Crickets are not “required” when the house you are inspecting is not a new construction or wasn’t required when the house was built. How do you know if a cricket was required when the house was built? Is it there right now? No? then very likely not required. Unless you want to go down to the city building department, look up the building code in effect at the time of construction, find out if the building inspector 30-40 or however many years ago passed it without a cricket, and say that it doesn’t meet code. Remember, you are not a code inspector and you sure as hell don’t want to open up that can of worms.
Since you aren’t inspecting for code, a cricket is not “required”. You can always recommended a cricket for improved leakage protection if there are problems observed.
Also, why the hell would you need a damn cricket for that? A cricket is used to divert rain water coming down from higher up on the roof to go around a chimney and prevent leakage. Do you actually have any roof area on the high side of the chimney? NO, THE RIDGE IS LIKE 2 shingle courses(13ish inches) away. There is little to no flowing water to divert and very little potential debris/snow accumulation possible.
Use your head before you go straight to 30" wide = cricket.
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Use your head before typing a long critical response about things that were already covered in post above yours.
Yeah, how hard I hammer the lack of a cricket depends a lot on how close to the ridge they are and, or course, how wide the chimney is. I never knew there was a code exception (thanks Ray!). I’ve seen many different width “requirements” over the years. So many that I don’t keep any one in mind.
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Here it comes…drum roll please
Maybe you should read the response fully before making a quip for the heck of it. I just reinforced what several people said and then directed all of that to the why the cricket is not needed. Just pointing out that the chimney is:
- at least 30 inches wide
- crickets not “required” on an older home
- non-issue
- IRC exception for crickets that intersect ridge
These are all great points, but does not help the newer inspectors understand how it all works. The important thing is understanding the why. You have to direct them to the why even if it may seem obvious to you.
Here is your drum roll
I did, hence my reaction.
Good thing he had you to hammer it home…
And no masonry liner!
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Dustin, you can approximate width by counting.
NOTE: A standard US brick size, which these look like, damn, I use to know the name of the brick but forgot at the moment, got it!, St Laurence Smooth, is 8" inches long by 3" 5/8 inches wide and 2 1/4 inches in height. So, multiply four bricks wide, the 2 half batts = one length of 8" inches, 4 x 8" = 32". As well, add the 5/8" mortar bonding at each brick butt intersection which would be 4 x 5/8th per long side or width = 2.5 inches. Approximate total width in inches, 34.5".
Observation: The chimney is missing a crown and flue liners as well as a cricket you where wondering about. The flashing looks suspect as well.
Morning, Yu.
Hope this post finds you well.
Roofing - IBC 1507.2.9.4. Crickets and saddles. A cricket or saddle shall be installed on the ridge side of any chimney or penetration greater than 30 inches (762 mm) wide as measured perpendicular to the slope. Cricket or saddle coverings shall be sheet metal or of the same material as the roof covering.
ICC - R903.2.2 Crickets and saddles. Chapter - 9.
A cricket or saddle shall be installed on the ridge side of any chimney or penetration more than 30 inches (762 mm) wide as measured perpendicular to the slope. Cricket or saddle coverings shall be sheet metal or of the same material as the roof covering.
Exception: Unit skylights installed in accordance with Section R308.6 and flashed in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions shall be permitted to be installed without a cricket or saddle.
That hypothesis is not wise, and I think a Liability. Statutes are created and updated to improve functionality and safety continually. Just because a component was not a statute when a home was erected does not mean that the statute is not compliant today.
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Count shingles.
Measure shingles from the roof edge, or just see what’s at the Big Orange Store.
Bill’s got the measurements on the cricket need pretty close.
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I would definitely recommend a cricket, rain cap, spark arrestor. There appears to be some mortar deterioration inside the chase, the crown, or whatever that is also has cracks. I just call out what I see. GIve my thoughts(recommendations) and move on.