A roof cricket is a raised, pitched structure installed behind a chimney to prevent water from sitting on the backpan.
In this case, the cricket creates a pitched roof with two valleys that guide water around the chimney. From there, the water is directed toward the diverter and kicked off the roof instead of collecting in one spot.
This kind of drainage detail is especially important because standing water and debris can lead to deterioration over time.
A roof isn’t just about the shingles you see. The way every part of the system handles water matters.
If you have an area on your roof where water seems to sit instead of drain, it’s definitely worth having it inspected.