Being alert to the signs of a chimney leak is important to protect your chimney from water damage and can save you money in expensive chimney masonry repairs. The tiniest water leak can end up deteriorating the bricks and mortar of your chimney to the point of the collapse of the entire structure if the leak continues for months without being repaired. This is why the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) calls water the biggest enemy of masonry chimneys. The worst damage can happen during the winter when moisture inside the bricks and mortar freezes and expands. As this water thaws out when the weather gets warmer, its force can make the masonry materials crack and break apart. Ace Chimney Sweeps wants to protect your chimney from water damage this winter, and we would like to share with you some of the signs of a leaky chimney and how we can repair and prevent water leaks.
What are the signs of a chimney leak?
Of course, seeing water on the floor of your firebox is an obvious sign of a water leak, but not every sign is that clear. You may notice rusted metal parts, such as the damper, and stains on the ceiling or walls. A musty odor and a dripping sound can also alert you to a chimney leak. You should also check the exterior of your chimney to look for damaged or missing bricks and mortar joints as well as white efflorescence stains on the masonry. If you suspect you have a chimney leak, give us a call at Ace Chimney Sweeps to schedule a chimney leak inspection.
How can Ace Chimney Sweeps help me with my leaky chimney?
Our CSIA-certified chimney technicians have years of experience in finding the sources of chimney leaks and repairing them with expert masonry techniques, including tuckpointing and chimney crown construction. Once we have repaired the leaks, we can make sure your chimney has the ultimate protection against water penetration. We sell and install a wide variety of chimney caps to keep the water from rain and melted ice and snow out of your flue. A chimney cap will also prevent wild animals from invading and can even improve your chimney draft. To protect the vulnerable spot where your chimney meets the roof, we construct and repair customized flashing systems. We take precise measurements of this area to use the proper sized sheets of metal to wrap around your chimney at the roof. In addition to these essential chimney components, Ace Chimney Sweep strongly recommends our waterproofing services to create a barrier against water penetrating the bricks and mortar of your chimney. We use a formula that is 100 percent vapor permeable, which keeps water vapors from becoming trapped inside the masonry materials. That could cause even more damage to the bricks and mortar joints. You can trust us to ensure your chimney is protected from chimney leaks and water damage this winter.
Keep the water out of your chimney! Contact us at Ace Chimney Sweeps to schedule an appointment for our water leak repair and prevention services.