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Spring is the Time to Have Your Chimney Leaks Repaired

When you think of using your fireplace, cold winter nights come to mind. Of course, winter seems like the ideal time to use your fireplace. However, it’s also great to use to get the chill out of the house on autumn nights and spring evenings. Having said that, sometimes your chimney can cause problems. When leaks appear, the best time to fix them is in the spring!

The Problems Water Causes

When the mortar between the bricks or stones breaks down, not only can the exterior of your chimney be damaged, but the interior can be damaged as well. According to the Chimney Safety Institute of America website, when your chimney leaks, several things can be damaged. Some of these problems could include a deteriorating central heating system, stained chimney exterior, rusted damper assembly, and stained ceiling and walls. And these are just a few of the problems that might occur.

How Water Causes Problems

Rain, sleet, or snow can cause some big problems for your mortar chimney. Precipitation can wear away at your mortar, but even worse is the freeze/thaw cycle. During this cycle, water will seep into the porous mortar and sit there until the temperature drops to freezing. When water freezes, it expands. This causes cracks to appear where there used to be just pores. When it melts, those cracks fill in with liquid again, and the cycle continues. These cracks can cause big problems.

There are other problems that can make your roof leak as well. It could be the flashing, that sheet metal that keeps the joint where your chimney and roof meet tight. Sometimes the flashing leaks because it wasn’t properly installed, and sometimes it just wears out over time. Whatever the reason, this can cause leaks.

Another possibility if you find out your chimney is leaking could be that your chimney isn’t really leaking. It could actually be your roof! Chimney.com states it like this: “Often the water enters the roof several feet away from the chimney and then collects at the point where the chimney meets the roofing material and appears to be a chimney leak.” The best solution to a roof leak is to have your roof repaired or maybe even replaced.

Warm Weather Fixes

According to Chimney.com, the best time to have your chimney repaired is during the summer. This will give your repair materials the proper temperature to cure the way they’re supposed to. After your leaks are fixed, you might want to think about getting your chimney waterproofed as well.

Who to Call

Whether you need a new chimney or chimney repairs, spring time is a great time to have these repairs done. A great place to call to take care of any work that you need done, whether it’s inspection, cleaning, or repairs, is Chim Cheroo Chimney Service. They’ll give the best service you can ask for and make sure that the job is done right!

The Importance of Waterproofing Your Chimney

While enjoying the comfort of a roaring fire on cold winter evenings, the thoughts of rainy spring days may be far from your mind. But anyone who owns a home that has a chimney needs to be aware of the damage too much moisture can cause to that chimney.

The Make-up of Your Chimney

Chimneys can be made of different materials held together by mortar: stone, brick, or in some cases, even block. Although it seems that these materials would be solid and impenetrable, they aren’t. Bricks and block are porous, and although less porous, even stones can absorb water over time. The mortar which holds these products together is also susceptible to moisture seepage. When water enters the components of your chimney, it causes these components to deteriorate, and that can lead to major expense for chimney repairs.

Chimney Inspections

As a homeowner, keep an eye on your chimney for visible signs of water penetration and damage. According to Chimneys.com, one of the first signs of water damage is spalling. If the surface of the bricks in your chimney appears to be flaking, peeling, or cracking, this means that your bricks are spalling; moisture has entered your bricks and is causing a breakdown. It is important to check the mortar between your bricks, also. If the mortar between the bricks is crumbly or soft, chances are water has penetrated and caused damage. If spalling or crumbling mortar is evident, you may be in for extensive repairs.

Although it is possible for you as a homeowner to inspect the exterior of your chimney, the better option would be to schedule annual inspections by Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) certified inspectors such as those at Chim-Cheroo Chimney Service. If signs of deterioration are evident, your chimney inspector will be able to give options to bring your chimney up to code and, once repaired, tell you how to keep your chimney safe and functional.

Waterproofing

Once an inspector has given your chimney a thorough inspection and any damage has been repaired, an excellent option to keep it from moisture damage is to have your chimney waterproofed. Be sure to find a qualified chimney service to make sure that waterproofing is done properly and with a quality waterproofing product. CSIA stresses the importance of using a product that will waterproof the exterior of your chimney while allowing the vapors that form from using your fireplace to escape. It is vital that your chimney service uses a product that allows these vapors to escape, because if these vapors remain in your chimney, the interior of your chimney could sustain the water damage that you are trying to prevent.

Waterproofing your chimney is a task best left to the experts. Technicians like those at Chim-Cheroo Chimney Service are specially trained to treat your chimney, and use only the best tools and products when working with your chimney. Be proactive when it comes to the health of your chimney. Call the experts at Chim-Cheroo Chimney Service to have your chimney waterproofed, and the worries of chimney damage from spring rains will be a thing of the past.