Chimney Waterproofing: It Does More than You Think
We live in a world where just about anything that can be waterproofed gets waterproofed. Thankfully, this includes our chimneys, which can be destroyed by water leaks.
American Chimney & Fireplace of Louisville, KY, would like to share some of the wide-ranging benefits of having your chimney professionally waterproofed.
What is chimney waterproofing?
It’s a spray-on solution that effectively seals the entire exterior masonry surface of a chimney. It keeps rain and melting snow from seeping into porous bricks and cracks within the bricks.
Quality chimney waterproofing products create a “vapor-permeable barrier” that allows the natural moisture that collects on the surfaces of the bricks to escape.
Major problems begin with chimney brick damage
Water damage is a big part of every chimney professional’s business. When the bricks and mortar of a chimney begin taking on water, it can lead to a variety of very serious and potentially dangerous problems.
Structural
A leaky chimney can cause brick and mortar deterioration to the point that the chimney eventually leans or collapses.
Damage beyond the masonry
Water moving into a chimney can harm the chimney liner, fireplace damper, firebox and other parts of the system.
Home materials
Large chimney leaks can spread and cause rotting in parts of the roof, walls, ceilings, flooring and more.
Mold issues
Damp, poorly ventilated spaces are ideal for the growth of mold. A chimney leak presents the perfect environment for mold to grow and spread to other parts of the home.
The chimney waterproofing process
The first step in waterproofing your chimney is a thorough inspection of all readily accessible areas of your chimney system. Your inspector will look closely at the bricks and mortar that make up the masonry, checking for cracks, crumbling and other issues that could lead to a leak or already have.
Damage needs to be repaired before doing the waterproofing. In most cases, this means replacing cracked bricks and filling in areas of missing mortar through a process called tuckpointing.
Remember: chimney waterproofing is designed to keep water out, but it won’t prevent existing damage from getting worse.
Does your chimney need to be waterproofed and repaired?
It’s a smart move to schedule a professional chimney inspection once a year to spot early signs of damage and malfunction and get them resolved quickly.
In between inspections, you can keep an eye on your chimney. Here are some things to watch for that indicate an existing leak somewhere in the system or a situation that could soon lead to a leak.
White stains on the masonry: This happens when water seeps into the bricks and leaches out salts.
Musty odors: If there are damp odors coming from your fireplace or in your attic, likely there’s a water leak somewhere in the chimney or roof system.
Water in the firebox: You should never see water in your firebox. If you do, have it checked out immediately.
Surface moisture: Watch for damp patches or water stains on the walls and ceiling near the chimney and fireplace.
Cracked bricks: Cracked bricks in a chimney’s masonry are open invitations for water to move in.
Crumbling mortar: If the mortar between the bricks is falling apart, a leaky chimney is on the way.
Call for chimney repair and waterproofing
American Chimney & Fireplace specializes in chimney leak repair and preventative waterproofing. If your chimney is damaged and leaking, or if it’s in great shape and you want to keep it that way, give us a call or reach out through our simple contact form.
