A leaky chimney is nothing to take lightly. Over time, every type of chimney system can begin to experience small leaks and water intrusion for a variety of reasons, and each situation needs to be dealt with quickly.
American Chimney & Fireplace of Louisville, KY, is a family-owned and family-operated company that’s ready to help with your leaky chimney issues. We find and fix leaks, repair damage caused by the leak, and perform preventative maintenance to reduce the chances of future leaks.
What Causes a Leaky Chimney?
Many things can cause a chimney to take on water from rain and melting snow. Here are five of them:
No chimney cap, flue cover or chimney chase top
Without these protective components, water can easily run right down into the open flue. This can lead to damage to the chimney liner, fireplace damper and firebox.
Brick and mortar damage
Cracks in bricks and crumbling mortar are among the most common causes of a leaky chimney. Water is a deteriorating force in porous bricks, particularly when it freezes and expands. Intruding water can cause widespread damage to a chimney’s masonry.
Deteriorated chimney crown
The concrete chimney crown is the slab at the top of a chimney that keeps water out of interior areas of the system. When the crown is deteriorated, water can infiltrate rapidly.
Damaged chimney liner leaking condensation
During combustion, condensation forms inside the chimney liner. If there are cracks and breaks in the liner, this moisture will move onto the interior surfaces of the chimney’s masonry and to other parts of the system.
Issues with chimney flashing
Flashing seals the gap between the roof and chimney. If the flashing is warped, rusted or unseated, water from rain and melting snow can spill down into unseen areas of the home.
Damage From a Chimney Leak
Leaky chimneys can cause damage to many parts, components and areas of a modern chimney and fireplace system, including:
- Chimney masonry
- Flue liner
- Drywall, wood framing, ceilings and flooring
- Roof shingles and the roof foundation
In addition, incoming water can lead to the growth of potentially dangerous mold, often in areas you can’t easily see or access.
Is Your Chimney Leaking?
Here are some clues that you have a leaky chimney:
- White staining (efflorescence) on the chimney’s exterior masonry
- Spalling bricks and crumbling mortar
- Water dripping into the firebox
- A rusty damper that’s hard to operate
- Damp sections within the ceiling or walls near the fireplace
- Musty odors
Leaky Chimney Repair and Prevention
American Chimney & Fireplace has been helping our customers throughout the greater Louisville, KY region since 2007 with chimney leak troubleshooting and repair by certified technicians.
We’ll help you prevent future leaks by installing a top-quality chimney cap or chimney chase top. Additionally, a strong water sealant can be applied to your chimney’s bricks and crown to keep water from penetrating existing cracks.
Our crew provides licensed inspections for all types of chimney systems to uncover early signs of problems so they can be fixed quickly.
Get Your Chimney Under Control
If your chimney is leaking, stop the leak and stop the damage by calling one of our Louisville chimney experts. You can also reach us through our contact form.
American Chimney & Fireplace is based in Louisville, KY, and works throughout Goshen, KY, Jeffersontown, KY, Georgetown, IN, La Grange, KY, Masonic Home, KY, Mount Washington, KY, and other local cities and towns.
