As homeowners there are so many different maintenance items to track, that unfortunately, our chimneys don’t always get the care they need. When minor chimney damage is not repaired timely, it can accelerate into more extensive repair work requiring chimney re-pointing or rebuilding. Chimney rebuilding and re-pointing are repair processes that restore the chimney’s structural integrity and appearance. While they both may seem similar, they are entirely different techniques. Here is the difference between chimney rebuilding and re-pointing:

Chimney Repointing

The chimney is constructed with motor joints to keep the structure in place. As years go by, the mortar joints can begin to decay and create voids in areas of your chimney, such as in between the bricks. This is typically the result of exposure to the elements, including the freeze and thaw cycle during brutal Boston winters.

If your chimney’s bricks are in good shape, repointing might be the best option. This option helps repair the appearance and structure of your chimney. It also prevents further damage and moisture from entering the bricks. This can ultimately lead to your chimney experiencing significant structural damage to the point where it needs rebuilding.

The process of repointing involves grinding out the mortar joints between the brick within by 1/4″ to 1/2″. The joints are then filled back in with new mortar, and the excess is removed for a smooth and beautiful new look for your chimney!

Chimney Rebuilding

There are some circumstances where a chimney’s repair goes beyond repointing. Rebuilding a chimney is often the result of years of neglect. The chimney can be unsafe to use until it is rebuilt.

There are several types of chimney rebuilding:

• Partial chimney rebuild: This is performed on smaller sections on a larger chimney or a small chimney. It sometimes includes a chimney crown rebuild.
• Roofline up rebuilds: This is when a new chimney is built up from the roof flashing. A roof line-up rebuild is the best option when pointing won’t sufficiently repair the damage.
• Complete rebuild: A complete rebuild is needed when the entire chimney structure is damaged. Example scenarios that require a complete rebuild include spawning, leaning, and severe mortar deterioration.

Maintenance Helps Avoid Rebuilding and Repointing

The good news is that you can delay the need to rebuild or repoint your chimney by working with professionals. Yearly chimney sweeps and inspections ensure that your chimney is properly performing, and its structure isn’t compromised.

Best Chimney has served the Boston area for over 30 years with state-of-the-art chimney cleaning and masonry services. If you’re unsure if your chimney needs repointing, rebuilding, or some other type of repair, our professional team can guide you in the right direction. We also offer chimney inspections and chimney sweeps, essential to keeping your chimney in proper working order.

Contact us to discuss these services.

The post Is Your Chimney Showing Signs of Wear? Rebuild or Repoint? appeared first on Boston's Best Chimney.

Chimneys are designed to remove harmful gases from your home while your fireplace is in use, but they also work to help other harmful gases escape even when the fireplace is not in use. However, it can only do so when it is properly cleaned. Whether you use your fireplace regularly or not, you should have your chimney professionally cleaned and inspected at least once a year.  

As you know, spring is the best time to clean your chimney, so you might be ready to get out there and do it yourself. At first thought, just removing everyday build-up from your chimney appears to be something you can do on your own. It might seem easy, but it’s not just a simple sweep!  

So, what do chimney cleaning professionals do that you can’t?  

Chimney cleaning is more than just cleaning; it is a full-service inspection of the entire chimney and fireplace system for any damage, debris, or build-up that poses potentially hazardous concerns for you and your family. Our certified experts complete this process by first performing a full sweep of the fireplace and chimney, followed by a thorough camera scope of the interior of the system, and then an 18-point inspection analyzing every component of the chimney and fireplace which is documented and conveyed over to you via professional and organized report.

Identify & Repair Potential Damages  

Our technicians can identify standard damages that can occur whether you frequently use your fireplace or not. Whether it is routine build-up, missing caps, damaged flues, or bad flashing, we are trained to identify these issues at the very beginning and help homeowners avoid more invasive problems. Any recommended repairs are unique and prevalent to your specific setup, aiming to prevent you from having more significant and more costly issues later.  

Recognize Deterioration  

There may be underlying problems that only a trained technician can discover, such as deterioration. If an excessive amount of water enters the chimney, it can damage the liner or flue and cause deterioration to occur more quickly. This is something that is more difficult for the average person to identify, yet it can cause major issues.   

Discovering Unwanted Chimney Visitors  

Cleaning can also require the removal of rodents or birds and their nests. Most people would not want to spend their weekends handling wildlife from their chimneys. Professionals are trained to handle various types of wildlife situations and advise specific caps or adjustments to keep these pesky visitors out of your chimney.  

Cleaning with Less Mess and Less Stress 

If you use your fireplace, a coating and debris can form throughout your chimney and, if left untreated, can cause more severe damage to the chimney and to your health. Professionals clean all of this out to give you peace of mind and help you rest and breathe easily. They can also handle the cleaning in a less invasive way than most do-it-yourself options might provide. If you think about the mess all of this can make, it can definitely be overwhelming if you are not accustomed to it.   

For any Atlanta-area homeowners who are considering cleaning their own chimneys themselves, we’d highly recommend considering these reasons above for leaving the cleaning to a team of trusted professionals. If you have more questions about hiring a chimney and fireplace team to inspect and clean your chimney, give us a call! We’re here to provide the best service available and answer any questions or concerns you may have.  

The post Why Chimney Cleaning Should Be Left to Professionals first appeared on Southern Chimneys.

This post first appeared on https://southernchimneys.com

The chimney brick is one of the most important building elements, the construction, and repair of it are incredibly difficult and expensive. Therefore, you do not have to save money during this part of the construction.

When it comes to building a chimney using bricks, it is important to carefully analyze the features of ordered materials. Solid and hollow bricks are popular for chimney construction. During a chimney inspection, you need to know which types of bricks are best if you want to have a new one built. You have to know that chimneys do not last forever, but you want one that will last a long time.

You must read this article until the end if you want to find out more.

Chimney Constructed with Solid Bricks

You must use normal-quality solid bricks. Bricks must not contain a lot of marl and it needs to have a straight and smooth side surface. Thankfully, the manufacturer should be well chosen because most of them save on solid bricks production, and that is why people tend to buy those that are not of high quality. Right now, a lot of manufacturers consider buying hollow ceramic bricks and chimney blocks as their main products.

Do Not Choose a Hollow Brick Chimney

Unfortunately, hollow bricks are normally used during chimney construction. This mistake is serious and often appears because of how ignorant investors are, especially in a contract for chimney construction with materials that are supplied by a general contractor.

The chimney’s entire length must be made using solid bricks. It is dangerous to build on top of the chimney over hollow brick roofs. When you look from the outside, the brick looks like a solid one, and a lot of investors do not realize what chimneys are made of.

The chimney execution from hollow bricks can lead to water penetration into the water, which means stormwater penetration under the roof covering and thermal insulation wetting can happen. If your entire chimney is made of hollow bricks, it can cause dampness on the wall surfaces at the chimney location.

Engineered Bricks

This type is created by the use of high temperatures. It leads to a strong and dense brick, that can withstand water absorption. Engineered bricks are best for load-bearing because it is very strong, resistant to moisture, and can withstand chemicals.

Burnt Clay Bricks

This kind of brick is made by pressing it into molds and then you fire it in a kiln. They are used for function than aesthetics. When they are used, they need plastering or rendering.

Sand Lime Bricks

Sand Lime bricks are created with sand, fly ash and lime. They are formed using a chemical process to form a brick shape. They are normally grey and not red.

Concrete Bricks

Concrete bricks have a great aesthetic appearance so they are normally used in facades and fences. Concrete bricks can be made in different colors because pigments are used in the production process.

Fly Ash Bricks

Fly ash and clay bricks are best for this kind of brick. They are 1,000 degrees Celsius. When they get water and moisture, they expand, which is something that you should consider before using.

Whatever kind of brick you choose, you are going to enjoy the strength, porosity, fire protection, and sound insulation. For chimneys, most people go for red ones because of their aesthetic appeal, but it depends on what you want.

If you have a hard time choosing which bricks to choose for better maintenance, you can always ask chimney contractors Bowie to help you make a decision.

The post How to Choose Chimney Bricks first appeared on First Class Chimney Services.

This post first appeared on https://www.firstclasschimneyservices.com

According to the National Weather Service, the Kansas City metropolitan area experiences approximately 38 inches of rain annually, which is on par with the national average. However, frequent periods of heavy rain are not unusual. For example, in 1961, Kansas City recorded over 60 inches of rain in a single year! The freezing rain, snow, and ice in the winter and hot and humid summer weather can eventually damage the masonry allowing water to get inside the chimney. One of the first warning signs of masonry damage is efflorescence.

What is Efflorescence

Have you ever noticed a white powdery stain appearing on portions of your chimney? That’s efflorescence. It occurs when moisture penetrates deep within the brick’s layers drawing the salts to the surface. When the masonry is wet, like after rain, it appears that the white surface stains have been washed away, only to reappear after the chimney dries.

Ways to Remove Efflorescence

There are several ways you can remove the efflorescence, such as brushing the affected areas of the chimney with a water and vinegar solution or mild detergent. There are chemical masonry cleaners too. Unfortunately, however, these are not a permanent fix. The efflorescence will reappear when the absorbed moisture in the brickwork draws the salts back to the surface during the next precipitation event. Therefore, it’s highly recommended you consult with an experienced chimney professional to avoid further damage to the masonry.

How to Prevent Efflorescence

The first step in preventing efflorescence is to maintain your annual chimney inspections. A yearly chimney inspection is critical for detecting early signs of moisture intrusion and other issues before more significant problems occur. When a CSIA-Certified Chimney Sweep like Fluesbrothers performs a level I visual inspection, the entire chimney system is inspected, including the interior and exterior masonry for signs of water damage, such as efflorescence, cracking, spalling, and decaying or missing mortar. We also climb on top of the stack to ensure your chimney cap is secure and there are no cracks or storm damage to the chimney crown. The chimney cap and chimney crown are essential components for deflecting rain and snow away from the chimney, helping to prevent moisture intrusion like efflorescence that leads to more severe masonry damage, including spalling bricks.

Waterproofing Your Chimney

Since efflorescence indicates moisture is getting inside the bricks, waterproofing your chimney is the most effective way to prevent further masonry damage, such as cracking, flaking, and spalling that can result in severe structural issues. We use a water-permeable sealant that repels rain and snow while allowing the masonry to breathe. This is important so that trapped moisture can dissipate, preventing further masonry deterioration. A Certified Chimney Professional® should apply waterproof sealants to the chimney. It will also need to be reapplied every few years to maintain effectiveness.

Certified Chimney Sweep in Kansas City MO/KS

The Certified Chimney Professionals at Fluesbrothers provide expert chimney inspections, cleaning, and repair in Atherton, Blue Springs, Olathe, and communities in the KCK/KCMO region. Call 913-236-7141 or contact us online to schedule a chimney inspection today!

The post Facts About Efflorescence on Chimneys & What Homeowners Should Do appeared first on Fluesbrothers Chimney Service.

Your fireplace is built to provide beauty and warmth. You can expect to not have any smelly odors coming into your home through the fireplace. However, bad smells can happen, and there are several reasons why. You can contact a chimney sweep to inspect your fireplace, but you must be aware of where these bad smells could be coming from. A lot of the issues that cause odor to get resolved when you contact professionals.

If you cannot really smell the odor, but other people in your home can, then you probably have to pay attention as well. You do not want your guests to smell something unpleasant when they come over to your place. Read on to know what those reasons might be.

Buildup of Creosote

In general, if your chimney has a tar or asphalt smell, it probably comes from a creosote buildup on the chimney walls. This is among the most common causes of a chimney odor, and creosote-related smells will normally get worse during the summer because people often turn on the air conditioner to fight humidity.

Animals

The sharp, sudden, rotting smells coming from your chimney could often be because of trapped animals. Birds, squirrels, raccoons, rats, and other small animals could end up in your chimney cap or other gaps. Unfortunately, when there are many animals that are unable to back out, they are left trapped inside.

While the live animals cause odors from their feces, urine, food, or nesting materials, a dead animal’s smell is overwhelming and it affects air quality. You must have them removed as soon as you find them to avoid bacteria exposure.

There is Negative Air Pressure

One of the main reasons odors go into homes is because of the fireplace’s negative air pressure. This problem mostly happens during the summer, after you have made improvements, like weatherizing, changing the vents, or after installing new windows, roof, kitchen exhaust fans, or bathroom exhaust fans. When you sell your home too tightly, even mild chimney odors could escape and go into your home instead of going up the chimney.

Excess Moisture and Water Intrusion

Do you notice musty odors? This is most likely an indication that there is water intrusion. The excess moisture and water leaks could be damaging to the chimney linings, cause rot and rust, and trigger decay and deterioration throughout the entire masonry, so if this causes chimney odors, you must address the problem right away.

The solution could be as simple as using a chimney cap or an installation of a top-mounter damper, but it could be a bigger problem.

Drafting

If your chimney is not drafting properly, gas, smoke, and chimney odors tend to linger inside your home. Smoky odors caused by drafting are normally there even long after you used the fireplace, especially during hot or windy days. Drafting issues are normally caused by a flue with an improper size; in case you installed a new fireplace or changed the source of fuels, the flue might need to be resized to prevent drafting.

Leaves

Leaves that fall inside your chimney and are left there can produce a rotting smell because they will decompose over time. Other debris can also end up in your chimney, which is another reason why you need a chimney cap, and it is a great accessory as well.

Water

Water can cause serious damage to the chimney’s masonry exterior and can cause odors as well. There will be a dank or damp smell that will come from your chimney.

You can contact chimney inspection Upper Marlboro to check what is causing the bad odor.

 

The post Main Causes of Chimney Odor first appeared on First Class Chimney Services.

This post first appeared on https://www.firstclasschimneyservices.com

Chimney inspections and maintaining your chimney is vital to it being able to function long-term, so you don’t want to entrust it to just anyone. Someone who installs cabinets or garage doors isn’t qualified to take care of your chimney even if they try to convince you they are. It can be confusing, so here are some signs you’ve partnered with a trustworthy chimney sweep.

Look for a Certification

Unfortunately, no regulatory agency oversees the activities of chimney sweeps. Because of that fact, almost anyone can claim to be chimney sweeps, including scam artists who know nothing about the trade. The good news is that there is a gold standard of certifications when it comes to being a chimney sweep. The Chimney Sweep Institute of America (CSIA) is the premier chimney sweep educator in technical aspects and ethical behavior. If a chimney sweep is certified by the CSIA, you can count on their knowledge and professionalism. Another trustworthy certification is from the National Fireplace Institute, which is on par with CSIA.

Are They Insured?

Accidents happen, but you don’t want to be left holding the bill when they do. This point is crucial if you are about to sell your home. If damaged caused by a disreputable chimney sweep isn’t found before the sale, it could mean you will have to pay for the damage, possibly as the result of a lawsuit. A trustworthy chimney sweep will always be insured. In some areas, insurance may be required to operate as a chimney sweep and a sure sign that they are trustworthy.

Are They Licensed?

Another red flag is when a chimney sweep is not licensed, especially in an area where it is required. It’s another hallmark of a scam artist who may try to convince you to hire them from other services as well. Other times service companies who mean well, such as landscaping companies, will offer to clean your chimney but have neither the licensing of the training. Using an unlicensed chimney sweep could cause long-term damage to your chimney and put you and your family in danger from a fire.

Are They Experienced?

It’s not an automatic disqualifier if a chimney sweep is new to the field, as long as they are certified and licensed. The issue with new chimney sweeps is that they don’t have the experience to deal with unexpected or unusual chimney issues, and they may end up taking more time to figure out the problem, which will bring additional costs. An experienced chimney sweep will have dealt with most chimney issues and be able to resolve them quickly and efficiently. This fact is especially true for chimneys that have been around for fifty years or longer. They will be able to understand the chimney’s construction and if it requires hard to get parts. A new chimney sweep will take much longer to deal with old chimneys.

Do They Have a Good Reputation?

In the past, you would have to ask for references from a chimney sweep to find out how good they were, and most of those were assured to be good references. It is easy to find out if a chimney sweep is trustworthy in this day and age. Websites such as Yelp or reading a Google review for a company tell you everything you need to know about a chimney sweep. There will always be a certain number of negative reviews from people who like to complain, but if the majority of the reviews are complaints, you know it’s best to avoid that chimney sweep. Conversely, if most reviews are positive, it’s an indicator that you can hire the chimney sweep. You could use the old-fashioned method of asking for references, but it is unlikely that a chimney sweep even keeps customer references anymore.

You Can Trust Fluesbrothers for the Maintenance of Your Chimney

Fluesbrothers is a licensed, insured Chimney Sweep that is CSIA and National Fireplace Institute certified. We are also members of the National Chimney Sweep Guild and the Hearth, Patio, and Barbecue Association. We also have over a decade and a half of inspecting, servicing and repairing chimneys. So when searching for a chimney sweep in the greater Kansas City area, Fluesbrothers is a company you can depend on and trust.

The post Signs You’ve Partnered with a Trustworthy Chimney Sweep appeared first on Fluesbrothers Chimney Service.

Every homeowner, regardless of the size, location, or age of their home, faces one universal problem: moisture. A single incident of water damage can cause thousands of dollars worth of repair costs. This also applies to a home’s chimney. Ward off moisture damage with chimney sealant. A much-debated topic, today we’re going to address whether or not you should use a chimney sealant on your chimney system.

The moisture problem

As with any other part of your house, moisture can create a wide variety of problems including mold and algae growth. Specific to your chimney, moisture that makes its way into your masonry can also lead to a variety of structural issues. The freeze-thaw cycle magnifies this problem as water fills cracks, expands during a freeze, and then leaves larger cracks during a thaw.

Signs you need a chimney sealant

Moisture damage will present itself in several ways, including:

• Efflorescence: This is a leftover, white material that essentially is made up of mineral salts. When moisture is present and evaporates, it leaves behind this substance.
• Cracks: Cracks in your brick, mortar, and concrete all point to the freeze-thaw cycle.
• Spalling: A little rarer of a term, this is essentially peeling or flaking bricks.
• Physical damage: This includes damaged mortar joints, loose or missing bricks, as well as a leaning structure.

Repairing moisture damage

Before applying a sealant to your chimney, you should first repair the damage. Masonry cracks can be repaired via repointing or tuckpointing. Some water damage occurs due to a broken cap or crown; replacing or repairing those can prevent further damage.

In some extreme cases, you may need to replace some or all of your physical flue. In addition, rusted metal components such as flashing and your chase should also be replaced.

Should you use a chimney sealant?

We encourage all of our Northeastern Chimney, LLC customers to apply a sealant to their chimneys. We believe that this layer of protection can help prevent water damage and significantly extend the life of your chimney — sometimes upwards of 25 years.

Once you’ve mitigated existing problems, the next step is to apply sealant. We recommend a vapor-permeable sealant. This prevents water from penetrating your masonry while, at the same time, allowing the pores within the structure itself to physically “breathe.”

However, we also encourage homeowners to leave this particular task to the professionals. Certified chimney technicians understand how to properly apply sealant while keeping themselves safe in the process.

Why you should use a chimney sealant

In short, chimney sealants protect your chimney’s masonry from moisture. It helps to prevent cracks, reduces the likelihood of leaks, and extends the life of your chimney’s physical structure.

If you don’t know if your chimney has had sealant applied to it, or would like to schedule an inspection, let us know. It’s easy to get in touch with the team at Northeastern Chimney, LLC. Call us at 860-233-5770 or contact us through our website.

This post first appeared on https://www.mychimney.com

Clean and check the chimney is a common spring-cleaning item on many homeowners’ list. Spring cleaning the chimney can take on different meanings. Sometimes it means repairing the chimney like tuckpointing. Other times it may mean checking and getting rid of critters and debris left over from the Fall and Winter seasons. However, sometimes, a unique situation presents itself.

Unique Situation

There are times that you may find something unexpected during the chimney clean and check. Here’s a good one for you. A story in the Washington Post on January 8^th, discussed a possible home invasion. The police came to the home, checked everywhere and could not find the perpetrator. After they left the scene and the home quieted down, the homeowners could hear restless noises coming from the chimney located just above the fireplace, right behind the wall. Yup, you guessed it. The perpetrator hid by going up the chimney from the fireplace. Unfortunately for him…and the homeowner, he got stuck trying to escape. The fire department had to tear apart the wall and fireplace in order to get him out.

Critter Check

Most often, it isn’t a person that’s living in the chimney flue, its small critters searching for a warm place to stay during the cold winters. They build a nice warm home from debris found outside in order to build warmth. Now that Spring is coming our way with the warmer temperatures, our critters are emerging leaving a mess behind. One of the main reasons the critters make their way into the chimney is either a missing chimney cap or the chimney cap shifted leaving a gap for your neighborhood critters to crawl inside and live in the chimney.

Debris is Left Behind

If you didn’t use your fireplace over the winter, then be sure to get a clean and check on your chimney to get rid of any debris. Leaves, dirt and dust can settle in your chimney. If you start your gas or wood burning fireplace, you can get a bit more action that you were hoping for. So let’s keep flammable materials to a minimum and get it cleaned out.

Spring Rains

Spring rains are slowly making its way to Chicago. This is the perfect time to get the chimney clean and check done. Why? When the spring rains begin, sometimes rain doesn’t always come straight down. Most times in Chicago, it’s a combination of wind and rain. The wind allows the rain to change direction making sure it finds every opportunity possible to find a small crack in either the chimney concrete slab that sits on top of the chimney or the bricks and mortar. When this happens, waterproofing and/or tuckpointing is the best solution to stop water from entering in your home.

The last thing you need is a chimney leak. Chimney leaks can cause plenty of damage in the home. Maybe even as much as the guy stuck in the chimney…if left too long. Chimney leaks can show water mark stains on ceilings and walls. When this happens, it’s already begun to mature. So get the clean and check done now on the chimney to avoid chimney leak problems.

Call Superior Chimney Let’s get your home ready for spring and warm temperatures. We’ll do a clean and check with a complete 14 point inspection by a certified chimney sweep. This way you’ll avoid costly repairs. Call us today at 877-244-6349. We’ll get you scheduled today.

This post first appeared on https://www.superiorchimney.net

It is difficult to believe that you are allowed to feel a draft inside your home with a fire that goes into your fireplace. When the chimney is efficiently performing, it draws inside the fireplace the same way. However, if there is an imbalance, there will be a draft. There are different issues that can cause a fireplace or chimney draft. Sometimes, it can be as simple as replacing a faulty damper or chimney cap. In some cases, your chimney might require repairs. Fortunately, there are a couple of things you can do to keep cold air from coming down your chimney.

Sometimes, the chimney cleaning services will give you some tips, but it is also good to know them for yourself.

Top-Sealing Damper

A chimney damper is among the various parts that are in a chimney. A chimney damper is found in the chimney’s flue and it helps control ventilation. The damper comes with a chain that can be used for opening or closing. The first defense of a chimney against cold drafts in your home is a damper. However, after a long time, the damper can wear down, corrode or it simply does not properly seal. This allows cold air to go in and out.

In case your damper does not work, then you can repair or replace it. However, you can also use a top-sealing damper.

Chimney Plug

This is also known as the chimney balloon, and it fits up inside the chimney as well. It is inflated, which creates a solid barrier against the incoming air. Chimney plugs are useful any time that you are not burning fire as another layer to protect you. In case you forget about the plug and fire, it will deflate, allowing smoke to exit through the chimney.

Flue Liner

A flue liner will insulate the chimney and protects your masonry from intense heat in your fireplace. However, a lot of older homes were built before building codes needed flue liners. An unlined flue with exterior facing chimney compounds can draft the issue. In addition, your flue liner should be annually checked. Damages or cracks in the liner cause draft problems and increase fire risk, so they should be repaired or replaced if they get damaged. You can also consider installing a UL stainless-steel flue liner. They do not need a lot of maintenance, are durable, and help in preventing cold drafts even when there is no burning fire.

Fireplace Door Installation

The fireplace door is among the most important fireplace accessories. Aside from blocking the cold air from coming down your chimney, a fireplace door can also add safety and improves the fireplace décor. With the fireplace doors, there are plenty of available options that you can install to compliment the décor in your home. Whether you are choosing classic, modern, rustic, or trendy, you can be sure they are going to serve the purpose of blocking cold air.

Seal it Permanently

This is only a last resort you must consider if you want to keep cold drafts of airflow down your chimney. Before you consider this option, you should look at any solutions and see which ones are good for you.

However, you can also decide to seal your chimney permanently. Make sure it is properly done to avoid any future problems. If your chimney is poorly sealed, it will cause leaks that lead to damage to your home’s interior or destroy the chimney’s structure.

You can contact chimney inspection Bowie to check why cold air is blowing down, and if there are any other issues that need to be addressed.

The post How to Keep Cold Air from Coming Down Your Chimney first appeared on First Class Chimney Services.

This post first appeared on https://www.firstclasschimneyservices.com

Just when we start to feel the relief of winter being behind us, we are faced with often rainy Springs. Many New Englanders love the change of season, and each one does bring its own set of joys and challenges.

If you’ve been hearing a dripping sound coming from your chimney after a heavy rain or noticed moisture and stains on the wall near your fireplace, you likely have an issue, and it should explored further.

It is very common for chimney systems to have leaks, and it is imperative to stay on top of this. If a suspected leak is not addressed, it can lead to much more significant damage.

Further, if your home was built before 1970, and you haven’t had any preventative maintenance on your chimney’s masonry yet, it’s probably time to think about it. Chimney leaks that go unnoticed lead to potential hazards and costly repairs if not addressed early on.

The chimney is a much more complicated structure than most people realize. For this reason, pinpointing the exact source of the leak can be challenging.

How Does Water get Into My Chimney and What Are the Dangers of It?

Water is the mortal enemy of a chimney. If rainwater penetrates the chimney, the materials that make up the structure can deteriorate rapidly. Chimneys are regularly exposed to severe, changing weather conditions like heavy rain, wind, and snow. Over time, these elements can create cracks in the system, leaving the chimney more susceptible to damage from water and moisture.

A leaky chimney can lead to moisture damage, and left untreated, cause bricks to collapse into the chimney resulting in an obstruction.

If your chimney becomes clogged, you may experience airflow problems that affect the heat and hot water in your system. An even bigger concern is that a clogged chimney can cause dangerous carbon monoxide leaks in your home that put you and your family at risk.

How Does Rain Get Into the Chimney?

There are several issues that may cause leaks in your chimney system, including:

• Cracked or damaged chimney crown
• Faults throughout the chimney lining
• Excess water absorption through brick
• Flashing separations

Cracked or Damaged Chimney Crown

The chimney crown is the first line of defense from harsh weather conditions. It covers the top of the chimney and slopes downward to accommodate water runoff. The chimney crown also keeps water from getting into the flue, while preventing the masonry from experiencing further damage due to deterioration.  A chimney that has a damaged or missing crown is vulnerable to damage from the water issues that arise from storms and heavy rainfall.

Relining the Chimney

Chimney relining helps reenforce the structure of your chimney and deters water from entering through holes and cracks. The chimney relining process involves inserting a stainless-steel sleeve or coating the interior portion of the chimney cavity with Cerfractory sealant.

Excess Water Absorption

Constant exposure to the weather elements affects the chimney’s ability to prevent water penetration.   Hey, it happens to the best of us as we age.  A waterproofing application is a less expensive yet effective way to prolong the life of the chimney structure.

Flashing Separations

Gaps between the roof and chimney are a standard culprit for water leaks.  Applying an elastomeric sealant or replacing the lead flashing rules out this entry point

What Should You Do If You Suspect a Leaky Chimney?

A leaky chimney should be evaluated and repaired. Because there could be multiple areas of the chimney that have been damaged by rainwater, an inspection or water test may be needed to try to determine the entry location.

Schedule your chimney inspection today or call us at 781-893-6611 to discuss your concerns.

The post With Spring Comes April Showers: Is It Normal for Rain to Come Down My Chimney? appeared first on Boston's Best Chimney.