Leaky Chimney

The biggest enemy a chimney system has is water. A leaky chimney will allow water to get inside your chimney and do extensive damage.

The area above the roof is exposed to weather, and therefore it is exposed to rain, sleet, snow, fog, and dew. If you have a masonry chimney, the materials from which it’s constructed are porous and absorb moisture much like a sponge does. If left alone, a leaky chimney is not only at risk of crumbling; it can damage your roof and cause mold to grow in your attic and walls. You may have already noticed dark patches around your fireplace caused by mold. Here are some additional signs of a leaky chimney.

Signs You Have a Leaky Chimney

A leaky chimney can be dangerous and must be addressed right away. Here are a few of the most frequent signs of a leaky chimney:

• Water pooling inside your fireplace’s firebox
• Black mold on the exterior of the chimney
• Water or mold stains on the ceiling and walls around your fireplace
• A condition called spalling, where bricks or stone come loose on the fireplace exterior

Any of the above signs are evidence of a leaky chimney. Again, water damage can cause your chimney to crumble and collapse and damage your roof, attic, & walls if left unattended.

Fixes for a Leaky Chimney

If your chimney isn’t covered, it is susceptible to weather such as rain, snow, sleet, and hail. How do you stop those elements? Installing a chimney cap is a cost-effective and easy way to deal with the problem. FlameMaster’s chimney sweeps are Chimney Sweep Institute of America (CSIA) certified and will be able to measure and cap your chimney.

A chimney crown is a cement structure covering the top of a chimney surrounding the flue. Just like brick and stone can crack and be broken down by water over time, so can a chimney crown. Once a crown has cracks, water will seep inside and cause damage during the freeze-thaw cycle, making the cracks larger. Because they are horizontal, cracks in a crown will take on more water than verticle bricks or stone on the chimney’s exterior. Our chimney sweeps will be able to quickly repair cracks in your chimney’s crown and protect your home and fireplace.

A piece of metal known as flashing protects your roof from water where it meets with the chimney. Flashing keeps water out of the chimney’s mortar; without it, water can find its way between the bricks or stone and your roof and cause leaks. We can install flashing if you don’t have one to protect your roof from water damage.

Water damage on the outside of your chimney is bad enough; damage on the inside could be catastrophic. The lack of a chimney liner or a perforated liner can absorb moisture from your chimney’s bricks or stone, leading to cracking & leaks. We can install a new chimney liner to prevent internal leaks.

FlameMaster Can Fix Your Leaky Chimney

Our certified and experienced chimney sweeps can quickly identify and repair leaks in your chimney. Don’t let water ruin your chimney or your home. FlameMaster provides chimney inspection and repair services in Woodland Park CO, Colorado Springs CO, Lake George CO, Buena Vista CO, Salida CO, and Hartsel CO; if you have chimney leaks, call us right away at (719) 661-3277 a chimney expert will discuss how we can fix your chimney.