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!