Chimney bracing question

You don't need a brace unless it extends more than 5' from the roof according to code. If it feels secure, I would leave it.

I was going to ask a question about this too. Mine actually moves. So if I bump my stovepipe or something a little I know the whole chimney will move a little and I get some water coming back down the chimney. I haven't done anything with it yet but if my chimney is not rigidly installed do you think that will be a problem? I am not saying the pieces together aren't secured ... I figured the water that came in was because the top of the chimney jiggled when the bottom did.

I will take some pictures and provide an explanation in a few days ... it's got strapping supporting it basically. I had someone else do the work he was just putting it back in after it had been removed a few years ago. I figure I need to fix this but it's OK for now. chit that's "put together" can't really move around the joints eventually pay a price....it's got screws in each connection and then is taped properly.

If you don't want to pay the high price for the chimney mfg bracing, here's some photos of what I just did. My chimney was 5' 6", so bracing was required by code but not really required for strength. I already had some 3/16" aircraft cable, the bolts, etc, so my only cost was about $10 for the metal strapping at HD. I formed it into 3 sections to go around the chimney without any tools other than pliers and vice grips. You should only need to have adjustment on one of the cables but you can do all 3 if you really want to. The cable ends still need to be taped. I ran out of time that day.
Do you think I could get any closer to the ridge???