Don’t Let A Leaky Chimney Dampen Your Spirits!
Water is your chimney’s worst nightmare and, unfortunately, it sees a lot of it! Chimneys are exposed to the worst of the worst when it comes to weather, as it sits atop your home. Rain, snow, and even humidity can wreak havoc on the masonry, causing extensive damage to your home and even rendering your fireplace unusable. At Brickliners, we have the knowledge and experience to help you protect your chimney from water damage.
How We Handle & Prevent Leaky Chimneys
Start At The Top!
One of the first things to look at when protecting your chimney from water damage is the top of your chimney structure. There are several necessary components that should be at the top of your chimney to protect it from costly water damage:
Chimney Cap – A chimney cap sits at the very top of your chimney and protects it from water, debris, and animal intrusion. This is usually a metal fixture with a grate around it to allow the heat and smoke to escape, without letting water or debris in. While inexpensive, these are incredibly important components for combating potential water damage.
Chase Cover – A chase cover is similar to a chimney cap except it is for prefabricated chimney systems. Prefab chimney systems usually have an exposed metal tube instead of a masonry chimney. A chase cover performs the same function as a chimney cap when installed on a prefab unit.
Chimney Crown – A chimney crown is the concrete slab at the top of the masonry structure. This helps direct water away from the base of the chimney and the masonry so that it flows harmlessly off the roof and into the gutter system. We can waterproof your crown for added protection!
Flashing – The flashing is the guard that protects the area where the chimney meets the roofline. This area is extremely susceptible to leaks and requires an extra layer of protection to keep water from seeping into the cracks and getting into your home. Flashing is frequently installed improperly, but we can make sure yours is serving its purpose or install new flashing.
How Can I Tell If I Have A Leaky Chimney?
While the best way to tell if you have a leaky chimney is to have it regularly cleaned and inspected by a CSIA-certified chimney sweep, there are some telltale signs that could let you know you have a problem:
- Water leaking from your ceiling or walls (this is not always near your fireplace or chimney as the water can move before exiting your ceiling)
- Stains on your ceiling or walls around your fireplace and chimney
- Musty, moldy odor coming from your fireplace
- A dripping sound in your fireplace
- Water in your firebox
- Stained masonry
- Crumbling Masonry
Call Us Before It Gets Worse!
When it comes to water damage and your chimney, time only makes things worse. The sooner we can address a problem, the less likely it is to require large-scale repairs. If you suspect you have a leaky chimney, give us a call today at 802-872-0123 or click here to request an appointment online!
Whenever you need chimney repairs, think of Brickliners…we have years of experience with every kind of fireplace and chimney service.