Summer Storm Damage

Summer in Western New York is about spending time with family, enjoying the abundance of outdoor activities, and relaxing on the beach. However, the high humidity across the Great Lakes region during the summer can trigger powerful thunderstorms, some of which can produce gale-force winds, intense lightning, torrential rain, and even localized tornadoes and hail throughout the Buffalo and Rochester areas. These summer storms can leave a trail of damage, impacting homes and chimneys. After a severe weather event, it is a good idea to walk around your house and chimney and look for any visible damage. 

Does Your Chimney Have Storm Damage?

After a severe summer storm rolls in, inspecting your chimney for any signs of visual damage is essential. Look for:

Visible Cracks

Inspect bricks, mortar joints, and the chimney crown (the concrete slab on top). Even hairline cracks can cause a leaky chimney.

Missing or Spalling Bricks/Mortar

Strong winds and hail can crack bricks or cause them to “spall,” where the brick face peels or flakes off. Missing chunks of mortar are also a clear sign of impact and erosion.

Damaged Chimney Cap or Chase Cover

Check if your chimney cap is bent, detached, or missing. Look for dents, punctures, or rust if you have a chase cover for a pre-fabricated chimney.

Compromised Flashing

High winds often bend, lift, or tear the metal flashing that seals the chimney to the roof, creating direct entry points for water intrusion in your attic, ceiling, and walls around the fireplace.

Debris Around the Base

Another sign of damage is finding significant brick, mortar, or chimney cap pieces on your roof or around the base of your chimney.

Leaning Chimney

A severe event like a hurricane or tornado could cause an already compromised structure to lean or tilt, indicating a severe risk of collapse.

Why You Shouldn’t Delay Repairing Chimney Damage

Discovering chimney damage after a storm might not seem immediately urgent, but delaying repairs can lead to much more significant and costly problems when the next storm hits.

Structural Integrity

Small cracks can expand, loose bricks can fall, and minor flashing damage can worsen with subsequent storms. What starts as a minor issue can quickly escalate into a significant structural hazard, potentially compromising the stability of your entire chimney and even your roof.

Water Damage

Water intrusion can wash away mortar joints, cracked  flue liners, and rot adjacent wooden structures. This moisture can also travel into your home, causing ceiling stains, mold growth, and damage to drywall and insulation.

Safety Hazards

A compromised chimney is also a fire and health hazard. For instance, cracks in the flue liner allow hot gases and sparks to ignite nearby combustible materials, leading to a chimney and house fire. Deadly carbon monoxide gas can also leak into your home with chimney damage.

Chimney Collapse

Although rare, several chimneys in Buffalo and surrounding areas have collapsed in the summer over the years. It is typically due to neglecting annual inspections and failing to make chimney repairs.  A chimney collapse can cause extensive property damage to your home and even injure those in the area of falling debris.

Waterproof Your Chimney To Prevent Moisture Intrusion

After making necessary repairs, waterproofing your chimney can significantly reduce its vulnerability to moisture intrusion, especially given our humid summers and subfreezing winters. Felgemacher uses a high-quality, professional-grade water repellent that is specifically designed for masonry applications. This advanced product not only forms an invisible shield against rain, snow, and ice but also allows trapped moisture to evaporate, preventing further water damage to the masonry structure.

Call Felgemacher for Storm Damage Repairs in Western New York

Noticing cracked bricks, eroding mortar, or a damaged chimney crown after a storm? Contact the certified professionals at Felgemacher for expert masonry inspections, repairs, and rebuilding. We are dedicated to ensuring the integrity and longevity of your home’s masonry features. Homeowners from West Seneca in Erie County to Palmyra in Wayne County, NY, and everywhere between Greater Buffalo and Rochester trust Felgemacher for expert storm damage and masonry repairs. To schedule an appointment, visit us online at https://www.felgemachermasonry.com/contact-us/.