Is Your Chimney Leaking?
Posted Feb 14, 2024 in Chimneys
When your home is taking on water, the to do list to repair it can seem never ending. At the top of that list is figuring out who can help you resolve the situation, which is not always a clear nor easy task. It is understandable then when most people are not aware of all the repairs and services chimney sweeps offer. One such area is leaking or wet chimney systems. When water is coming in through or around your chimney and fireplace system, this is a sign of significant deterioration to the external chimney system of your home. What most people don’t know is that water intrusion is one of the biggest safety concerns for a fireplace not only for the damage it causes to the interior of your home but also the damage it can cause to the interior of the fireplace system. Water intrusion can cause damage that will keep a fireplace from functioning properly and one that doesn’t function properly does not function safely. Just like a leak in a roof system, there can be lots of places where water can intrude into a home through an exterior chimney. Here are some warning signs your chimney is taking on water:
- Water damage and/or leaking around the chimney inside: this one may be the most obvious, but sometimes when we see water inside we can naturally gravitate toward issues with roofs or gutters. Look out for water staining on the ceiling above the fireplace, white residue forming/collecting on the interior stone or face brick for the fireplace. Any rusting of the damper assembly in the fireplace or even rusting around the gas valve for your fireplace (if it has a gas supply) is a sign of water intrusion. In addition, if you have water accumulating in the firebox for any reason, be sure to call a certified chimney company to come out and inspect your system.
- Spalling brick and mortar falling out: This problem will be found on the exterior chimney. A sign that a chimney has taken on serious water damage is when the faces of the brick appear to be popping off or the mortar joints between the brick have either fallen out or receded. If your chimney is in this state, call ASAP because the longer you wait to address it, the more it will cost you in repairs. A common precursor to the brick spalling is if it looks like there are white spider webs on the bricks themselves. If you have never looked up at your chimney, it is worth your time to take a look.
- Saturated chimneys: if you take a look at your chimney the next time it’s raining, and you see water slowing soaking into it from the top down, this means your chimney crown is allowing water in through the top. When this happens, the water spreads down through the courses of brick and eventually, this water freezes and expands inside the masonry materials causing damage to the structure of the brick and mortar.
- Black staining and moss growth on your chimney: this is a sign the chimney is taking on water in some way. Black staining is typically mold accumulation on the brick or even inside the mortar joints. Moss can also thrive on masonry structures when subject to water. All of this means that the chimney will retain water and eventually receive damage as the water expands during the freeze thaw cycles in our area. If your chimney is green or black it’s time to get it checked out!
- Rusting around the top of your chimney: some chimneys or tops of chimneys are made of metal materials and as they rust they allow water to enter the fireplace system or into the home. Some builders and manufacturers choose metals for price and not longevity. As a result, the wrong material used on the top of a chimney and fireplace system can cause costly damage to the home and fireplace. If you see rust, have an inspection done.
Water intrusion prevention is the #1 way to save money on maintenance of your chimney and fireplace and to protect your home for the long haul. Certified chimney companies are trained and resourced to detect water leaks and use a myriad of products to properly resolve the issue. Something we remind our customers of frequently is the sooner we find an issue the easier and cheaper it is to repair.
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