Our Company Blog

Waterproofing

Have you looked at your chimney lately? This may seem like an odd question because a chimney is something that most people take for granted. It is an extremely sturdy structure, made of durable materials such as bricks or stone and mortar. It probably looks pretty good when you drive in every evening after work, and most people don’t give it more than a glance when they walk by. But if you take a closer look, you may notice that your chimney isn’t in as good of shape as you may have thought. There may be loose bricks or crumbling mortar, and that can be a very expensive problem to have. But even if your chimney seems to be in great shape, it’s a good idea to have a professional come in and take a closer look. In fact, the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) recommends that you have your chimney inspected on a yearly basis to make sure that the structure is in good condition and performing as it should be to keep your family safe and healthy.

Waterproofing

As solid as your chimney seems, it can still use some protection. At Chim Cheroo Chimney Service Inc, we know just the steps to take to protect your chimney from the ill-effects of precipitation, and that means waterproofing. This process involves coating the outside of your chimney with a liquid sealer to keep the precipitation out of the pores of the brick and mortar. Although this seems like a simple process, the bricks and mortar probably already have moisture resting in the pores, and if the sealant you choose isn’t water permeable, that moisture will sit and cause further problems. That’s why Chim Cheroo Chimney Service Inc uses ChimneySaver water-repellent. This product is amazing because it is designed in a way that keeps precipitation from entering the surface while allowing any moisture that has accumulated in your bricks and mortar to leave. This leaves your chimney completely protected from the damages caused by moisture, both inside and out.

Another thing that should be waterproofed is your chimney crown. Your chimney crown is the piece that is built on to the top of the chimney, and it should be made of concrete. Some contractors, however, try to cut corners by making this structure out of mortar instead, and this means that the crown will be more susceptible to cracking and crumbling. If this is the case, it won’t be able to do the job it’s built for, which is protecting your home from leaks from precipitation and the water damage which can result. Your chimney crown can also be coated with CrownCoat, a sealant made by ChimneySaver. This material will seal cracks and chips and make your chimney strong enough to withstand the elements.

Call Today

If you’re worried about the state of your chimney and chimney crown and want to protect your home from expensive repairs caused by water damage, give Chim Cheroo a call today. We’ll take a look and discover any problem areas. Set up an appointment as soon as you can, and you’ll save yourself from worrying about the damage caused by the next big rainfall!

So You’ve Got A Leaky Chimney

There’s nothing good about a leak, no matter where that leak is. If your tire is leaking, you’re going to have to spend time fixing it before you go where you want to go. If your pipe is leaking, you’re going to have to fix it, and probably the floor or the ceiling that is affected by that leak, too. If your chimney is leaking, it’s a problem as well. Your chimney is designed to do one thing very well, and that’s directing smoke out into the open air rather than being allowed to be sucked back into your home. There are other purposes, too, of course, such as bringing in air to work as draft to keep your fire burning. If your chimney is leaking, then these things aren’t going to be happening like they should be, and that’s going to cause other problems. So if you suspect you have a leaky chimney, or if you haven’t had your annual chimney inspection yet, give Chim Cheroo Chimney Service Inc a call and let’s get an appointment set up!

Causes of Leaks in Your Chimney

There are several reasons that your chimney might be leaking. First, there’s the freeze-thaw cycle. The mortar that holds the bricks together is a porous material, and so are the bricks. As precipitation falls, it permeates those pores and rests there. When freezing weather comes, that water freezes and expands, expanding the pores are well. This just leaves bigger spaces for the precipitation to fill next time. This process repeats itself, and soon you’ll have cracks and crevices in the structure of the chimney where water can leak right in.

Another place that is susceptible to leaks is at the top of the chimney, at the chimney cap or the chimney crown. The crown, which is the topmost built-on piece of the chimney, is designed in a way to keep the rain away from the area where the roof meets the chimney. It’s made of cement, so it could also be affected by the freeze-thaw cycle. If this happens, it does need to be repaired so that the leaks are stopped before they even start. The chimney cap, which sits on top of the chimney crown, is actually designed as a roof over the actual chimney opening, and it directs precipitation to the sloped edge of the chimney crown. If this gets rusty or damaged, it will allow precipitation to enter into the chimney as well.

Why You Need These Repaired

If your chimney is leaking, it can cause damage to the metal parts of your chimney, such as the dampers or the firebox. It can also cause the chimney lining to break down, and if the mortar has already deteriorated and cracked, that can mean that some of the gases that are released during combustion could be sneaking back into the house, where they can cause health issues for you and your family.

If you suspect that your chimney is leaking, give Chim Cheroo Chimney Service a call so we can repair it before it causes further damage!