Leaky Chimney Repair
Water can wreak havoc on a masonry chimney and you can be left with unusable fireplace.
Water can wreak havoc on a masonry chimney and you can be left with unusable fireplace.
Leaks in chimneys can sometimes be difficult to resolve. Sometimes, the “L” shaped flashing that protects the joint between the roof and chimney can sometimes pull away from the chimney, especially if it is only held in place by roofing cement. This can allow rainwater to get into your house. If you do not have a cap/spark arrestor on your chimney, the first thing you should do is install one. Caps can prevent most of the rain from going down your chimney, although they do not prevent all driving rain from getting in.
While we live in a very dry climate, it is still important to protect your masonry chimney from water damage in the years when we have heavy rains. Water can wreak havoc on a masonry chimney and you can be left with unusable fireplace.
One of the best steps you can take to protect your chimney from water damage is to have a waterproofing sealant applied to the outside of your chimney. This compound will help keep water from seeping into the pores of the brick and mortar while still allowing vapor to exit.
Absolutely not! Chimney waterproofing sealant is very different from a sealant you might use to seal a driveway. Most readily available sealant is designed to be a complete moisture barrier and forms a film on the service of the brick and motor. These chemicals not only prevent water from entering but prevent it from escaping. With a chimney, trapped moisture can cause damage.