Is Your Chimney Ready for Rain?
We gather our umbrellas, raincoats, and protective footwear when rain is expected, but we often forget that our chimneys also need a little protection from wet, stormy weather.
Keeping a chimney leak-free isn’t difficult. Felgemacher of Rochester, NY, and Buffalo, NY, would like to tell you how to do it.
W
hy do chimneys leak?
Chimney companies and technicians consider a “chimney leak” to be any instance where water is penetrating a chimney system. This can happen because of:
- A warped, rusted, or damaged chimney cap or flue cover
- A damaged chimney chase top
- Cracks in the concrete chimney crown
- Cracked or deteriorated masonry bricks
- Crumbling mortar joints between the bricks
- Unseated, rusted, or warped chimney flashing
The four most common causes of this kind of damage are:
- Lightning, earthquakes, and hailstorms
- Chimney fires
- Poor-quality materials and shoddy workmanship
- Old age and season after season of harsh weather
The possible results of a leaky chimney
Water entering small cracks in the masonry or into areas where mortar is missing between the bricks can cause widespread brick and structural damage over time.
Compromises in the chimney crown will allow water to start a cycle of damage in the chimney’s uppermost bricks. Crown issues will also allow water to spill into unseen areas of the chimney and damage the masonry, the chimney liner, the fireplace damper, and other parts of the system. Interior moisture can also start a dangerous mold growth.
A damaged or missing chimney cap, flue cover, or chase top invites water (and debris and animals) into the chimney flue. This can start to deteriorate the liner, cause mold to grow, and create some very unpleasant chimney odors.
When chimney flashing becomes unseated, warped, or severely rusted, rain and melting snow can pour down into areas of the home beneath the roof. The result is often chimney masonry damage, mold growth, and rotting in nearby walls, ceilings, and flooring.
How to keep rain and snow from affecting your chimney
If it’s been more than a year since your last proper chimney inspection, this is the place to start. Your inspector will examine all readily accessible areas of the chimney and let you know whether components need replacing and whether the chimney structure needs repair.
Should you be dealing with an active leak, don’t delay in scheduling an inspection. The longer a chimney leak continues, the more damage that can happen throughout the chimney and fireplace system.
After necessary repairs and component replacements are made, the final step is to have your chimney waterproofed. One of the best ways to do this is with a product called ChimneySaver Advanced Water Repellant. When applied correctly, it creates a solid barrier across all areas of your chimney’s masonry, keeping rain from the bricks.
Is your chimney leaking?
Watch for these signs:
- Damp patches on the walls and ceiling near the fireplace
- Strong musty odors coming from the chimney
- White stains (efflorescence) on the masonry – it means water is penetrating the bricks
- Water on the floor of the firebox
- A squeaky damper that’s hard to operate
- Obvious deterioration in the chimney masonry
Call Felgemacher
No matter why or where your chimney is leaking, the Felgemacher team knows how to resolve the problem. Reach us by phone in the greater Rochester, NY, and Buffalo, NY, regions. You can also get in touch by using our contact form.
