Our Company Blog

Prepare for April Showers – ChimneySaver

Winter is almost over, and the wet and raining, spring days are around the corner. In Suffolk County, you can expect “April showers” to begin in March and last until May. Any chimney damage that has occur this winter will put your chimney at risk for water damage in the spring. Protect your masonry from spring rains by getting a chimney waterproofing with ChimneySaver.

ChimneySaver Saves Chimneys

ChimneySaver is the leader in chimney protection. It has been the chosen company for water-based water repellents for over 20 years. At Chief Chimney Services, we trust ChimneySaver products for their amazing results. This water-based repellent we use for the chimneys of our customers can reduce water penetration by 99.9 percent.

Unlike similar products you find in your local home improvement stores, this repellent is 100 percent vapor permeable. Instead of trapping moisture and gases inside the masonry with a rubbery seal, ChimneySaver water repellent covers the masonry in a vapor permeable membrane. This allows gas and heat to escape, but it also keeps water molecules from getting in. This keeps water from entering your chimney to cause all kinds of damages, cracks, and gaps.

Water-Base V. Solvent-Base

The most popular and oldest solution from ChimneySaver is the water-based solution. However, when other water repellents have been previously used on your chimney, we recommend solvent-based products for your chimney. This works to reverse the rubbery-like seal the previous repellent has created. Using a vapor-permeable product means your chimney can continue to work properly while water is kept out.

ChimneySaver water repellent comes with a 10-year warranty, and it is 100 percent vapor permeable. It won’t change the look of your masonry at all either, while protecting it from efflorescence and stains, mildew and fungus. It also protects your masonry from the freeze/thaw damage, and it is also environmentally friendly.

Get a Chimney Waterproofing from Chief

This product takes two hours to dry, and it needs six hours to dry before rainfall. It’s best to look at the forecast before making your appointment. You will also have to discontinue use of your chimney 24 hours before an appointment. If you’re unsure about when to schedule a waterproofing services, contact Chief Chimney Services. We can help you find the best time and determine the actions that need to be taken for your system.

At Chief Chimney Services, we can fix it all. We do whatever it takes to keep water out of your chimney and to keep your chimney working safely and efficiently. If your chimney is showing signs of water damage, contact our professionals at 631-863-2460 or schedule online before the wet season!

Plan for Masonry Repairs This Spring

Winter is not yet over, but the weather will become milder in the next few weeks, and it’s the perfect time to schedule necessary masonry repairs. You might schedule masonry repairs if you’ve noticed damage to the masonry, if a professional made a recommended repair, or if you’re looking to raise value for a refinancing. Repairing the masonry will help your chimney work better, will make it safer, and will improve the exterior look of your chimney.

Planning Spring Repairs

First, you need to know what your masonry needs. Schedule a chimney inspection with a certified professional so that you will have a complete report and repair recommendations. Your masonry problems may be minor or major, and need to be assesed as soon as possible. Your chimney professional can help you determine which repairs need to be first.
Second, get ready for your repair. Schedule an appointment with Chief Chimney Services. On the day of your appointment, discontinue use of the fireplace and clear out the area in front of the fireplace opening. Your chimney professional will make the repairs without leaving a mess or damage behind.
Lastly, it’s important to have the financing for your masonry repairs in order before the work begins. If your masonry damage is from a natural occurrence or a fire, your homeowners insurance may cover repairs. Otherwise, you might use your tax refund, savings, or financing from a bank. The repairs we do will be according to code, guaranteed and will be an investment in your property.

Common Masonry Repairs

At Chief Chimney Services, Inc. we see masonry damage during spring for a variety of reasons.

• Water damage is one of the worst things that can happen to your chimney system. During winter, it is even worse. The water that enters damaged portions of the masonry freezes and expands, breaking apart the mortar. Then it melts and runs further into the damaged masonry. This process, called the freeze/thaw cycle, repeats through winter and leads to serious damage within the masonry. Tuckpointing, a tedious process of removing damaged mortar and replacing it with new mortar, is used to repair the damage.

• Poor design or incorrect installation can lead to necessary repairs. This problem is most common when a firebox becomes damaged. Have the firebox repaired before using the fireplace to ensure your safety. Chief Chimney can repair the firebox properly by using fire bricks and refractory mortar to keep the fire in its place.

• Wear and tear causes masonry damage over time. When the masonry becomes cracked, this minor damage can be repaired through simple methods.

Other factors that can lead to masonry damage include, environmental changes such as extreme temperatures and natural disasters. Let Chief Chimney Services maintain your masonry throughout the year, and complete your masonry repairs this spring.

Call Chief Chimney Services today at 631-863-2460 or schedule online.