Protect Your Chimney from Leaks and Water Penetration

You’re not alone if you think fire is the number one concern you will have with a fireplace or wood stove in your home. But the truth is, water penetration is far more likely to ruin your system than fire. That’s why we encourage you to deal immediately with a leaking chimney or get ahead of the game and protect your chimney with a good water repellent. This includes protecting your masonry chimney for your oil or gas furnace as well.

The Weather Is A-Changin’, Everywhere

Beginning each spring and continuing throughout the rainy season, we receive dozens of calls from homeowners noticing a tremendous amount of water in or around their chimneys, fireplaces, or stoves. In the last few years, the storms seem far worse than they have been in the past. And bad weather is bad news for your chimney. But let’s face it, you don’t think about your chimney much before, during, or after a storm unless it’s obvious you should. You are not alone. The chimney is one of the most taken-for-granted parts of a home. Even though it performs several vital functions, its simple appearance belies its complex construction and performance requirements, so it’s easy to overlook. But making regular chimney maintenance a priority in your home is an essential part of preventing system damage and deterioration.

What’s so Bad About Water? The Rest of the Truth:

  • All masonry chimney construction materials will suffer accelerated deterioration as a result of prolonged contact with water.
  • Many homes have problems with their chimneys that turn out to be water leakage. Evidence for this problem includes:
    • Water running down the flue
    • Water noted in the firebox
    • Water running down the brickwork in the attic or inside the home
    • Deposits of white lime on the outside of exposed brick chimney

So what should you do if you already have a water problem? Address it immediately before serious damage occurs! Call on Clean Sweep of Anne Arundel County. Our chimney leak resolution and prevention experts have you covered. There are a number of things we look at when determining the source of the water problem. The first thing we evaluate is where the water is showing up. This gives us an indication of where to begin looking for the water entry point.

We examine:

  • The flashing
  • The roof around the chimney
  • The crown
  • The chimney cap
  • And the condition of the chimney itself (to see whether it is cracked, deteriorated, or missing mortar joints) and surrounding areas.

This comprehensive approach allows us to make a professional evaluation and give you recommendations for addressing the real problem.

Leaking Chimney - Clean Sweep Anne Arundel
Chimney Waterproofing - Clean Sweep Anne Arundel

Why Waterproof Your Chimney

Waterproofing your chimney is a good idea, regardless of the age of the system. All new and existing masonry chimneys are susceptible to water damage. That’s because all chimneys are exposed to the elements and freeze/thaw conditions. If left unaddressed, water penetration can cause severe spalling and deterioration of the chimney’s masonry, which could lead to costly repairs. In other words: waterproofing can prolong your chimney’s life and save you money in the long run. Our years of experience and knowledge of chimneys and water penetration has made us the company to turn to when you are having chimney leaks—and when you want to prevent them altogether. Unlike common waterproofing sealers that remain on the surface, our specially formulated water repellent penetrates deep enough to protect masonry from destructive water penetration, while maintaining the structure’s vapor permeability thus providing a lifetime warranty. Of course a complete chimney protection program should include repairing the crown (if needed), as well as waterproofing the entire chimney. This way you know the entire chimney structure is properly protected from water penetration. Get ahead of the moisture. Call Clean Sweep of Anne Arundel County or request an appointment online today!

 

If your chimney inspection indicates a need for a flue liner repair due to deteriorated or damaged mortar joints or flue liner tiles, you can rely on our experience and knowledge of all chimney services to take care of your needs.