What Homeowners Should Know About Leaky Chimneys
A leaky chimney is not something you should ignore. Early-stage chimney leaks can progress until water causes severe damage to many parts of your chimney system and your home.
Hudson Valley Chimney of Poughkeepsie, NY, would like to explain:
- Why chimneys leak
- What can happen if the leak continues
- How to fix a leaky chimney
- How to prevent future leaks
Why chimneys leak
There are several causes of water moving into a chimney system. The most common are:
- Cracked masonry bricks
- Crumbling mortar between the bricks
- A damaged or missing chimney cap
- Cracks in the concrete chimney crown
- Dislodged or otherwise damaged chimney flashing
Keep an eye out for problems in these areas. Schedule annual chimney inspections for a closer look at potential leak issues.
What can happen if the leak continues
An ignored chimney leak can lead to serious deterioration of the bricks and mortar, weakening the structure and making it unsafe to live around.
Water coming through a damaged or missing chimney cap can eventually affect the chimney liner, leading to gaps and cracks through which flames and dangerous combustion gases can escape.
Chimney crown damage can allow water to begin deteriorating the bricks below it. Water moving through cracks in the crown can enter the chimney’s interior spaces, causing ongoing damage and mold growth.
When the flashing that seals the gap between the chimney and the roof is warped, rusted, or missing, rain and melting snow can seep into unseen areas of the home and damage the roof, chimney masonry, walls, ceilings, and floors.
How to fix a leaky chimney
If you know or suspect that your chimney is leaking, the first step is to schedule an inspection with a local chimney company that you trust. Your inspector will determine where the leak is located, how much damage has occurred, and what needs to be done to stop the leak. Most inspectors can also make needed chimney repairs.
Common repair work for leaky chimneys includes:
- Brick replacement
- Mortar tuckpointing
- Chimney crown patching or rebuilding
- Chimney cap repair or replacement
- Chimney flashing repair, reseating, or installation
- Partial or complete chimney rebuilding
How to prevent future leaks
After repairs are made, there are three ways you can help prevent leaks in the future.
1. Chimney waterproofing
Ask your chimney company to apply a waterproofing sealant to the masonry. This surface coating will keep water out of small cracks in the bricks while allowing built-up moisture between the masonry and the sealant to escape. Your chimney crown can also be waterproofed.
2. Annual chimney inspections
A qualified chimney inspector can see things you can’t, and they know exactly what to do to reverse signs of damage or malfunction that the inspection uncovers. Schedule a chimney inspection once a year.
3. Timely repairs
As soon as an issue develops in your chimney system, get someone out to perform repairs. If you put off repair work, the problem will only get worse. There’s no such thing as a “minor” chimney problem because “minor” will almost always become “major” before too long.
Help for your leaky chimney
Hudson Valley Chimney is ready to help with your chimney leak. We provide licensed chimney inspections and certified chimney repair for any issue your chimney faces.
Reach a New York chimney expert by phone or through our contact form.
