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Chimney Leaks and Water Damage

There’s almost nothing worse for a chimney than water penetration. A small crack and tiny amount of water can become hundreds and thousands of dollars worth of damage. Consequently, this is over just one burn season. This is because the freeze/thaw process that water experiences widens cracks in the masonry.  Shifting bricks, a weakening mortar, and making way for even more water to enter is just some of what you can expect.

Chimney Leaks and Water Damage - Suffolk NY - Chief Chimney ServiceWater and Masonry

Masonry is constructed of a variety of materials, all of which are adversely affected by water. Brick, mortar, concrete, stone, flue tile, steel, and cast iron all deteriorate. In addition, they become altered when they come into direct contact with water, or are penetrated with water.

Once water is inside the masonry it can cause a host of issues including:

  • Rusted damper assemblies, fireplace accessories, and glass doors
  • Deteriorated metal or masonry firebox assemblies, central heating system, and flue lining system
  • Rotting adjacent wood and ruined wall coverings and ceilings
  • Water stained walls, ceiling, and chimney exterior
  • Clogged clean-out area
  • Decayed exterior mortar and collapsed hearth support
  • Tilted chimney structure and chimney settlement

This type of damage is solely caused by chimney leaks and can be prevented.

Diagnosing Your Chimney Leak

The damage caused by water penetration isn’t noticeable right away. In fact, by the time these things are noticed, there is extensive damage unseen to the homeowner’s eye.

Three signs that mean you may have a leaky chimney include:

  1.  A stinky chimney, especially one that smells musty is cause from a leaky chimney.
  2.  Less efficiency is generally caused because of an issue such as a chimney leak. Water causes parts to work incorrectly as well as the draft is less effective.
  3.  Stains on interior and exterior masonry means that water is causing discoloration and the mortar has been penetrated.
  4.  Leaks and stains on interior of the house including walls and ceilings. The walls and ceilings don’t even have to be near the chimney because water runs to the lowest place, and then leaks through the weakest portion of ceiling or wall. Water can run several feet or rooms away from the chimney leak itself before physically leaking through the ceiling materials.

Let the Chimney Professionals Repair Your Leaky Chimney

The most common causes of chimney leaks are relatively easy fixes. These include chimney cap repair or installation, replacing or sealing the chimney crown, and repairing or replacing the chimney flashing. All of these things work to keep water out, but none of them are permanent solutions. The best way to insure your chimney is properly waterproofed is to schedule your annual chimney inspection with Chief Chimney today. For the safety of your family and the longevity of your chimney system, it’s vital that you have your chimney waterproofed by a professional.

To learn more about waterproofing services, contact Chief Chimney Services today at 631-863-2460 or request an appointment online.

By John Pilger on November 10th, 2016 | Tagged with: Tags: , , , | Comments Off on Chimney Leaks and Water Damage

Changing Temperatures Can Seriously Damage Your Chimney

If any part of your home can withstand the notoriously harsh New York winters, it would be the chimney. Made of tough brick or stone, it has most likely seen decades or even centuries of unforgiving temperatures. While the chimney is particular strong and durable, it does have weaknesses and that includes dramatic changes in weather.

temperature-change-suffolk-ny-chief-chimney

Chimney damage due to temperature changes starts with the presence of moisture in the structure. Aside from stone, all materials used to create a masonry chimney are porous and sensitive to contact with water. Even stone chimneys need mortar to bond the stones together, so they do not escape the dangers of water. When water hits materials like mortar or brick, the porous materials absorb the water like a sponge. While this does not have immediate repercussions, it will eventually cause damage.

During the bitterly cold winters on Long Island, every outside structure is subject to the freeze and thaw cycle. This includes your chimney. Now that the porous materials on the chimney contain water, the freeze and thaw cycle can damage the structure. The water inside the brick or mortar expands and contracts in freezing cold temperatures and this continuous movement weakens the brick and mortar.

Signs of damage due to changing temperature include cracks in the mortar, loose bricks or stones, missing bricks or stones or a listing structure. Without the proper attention and maintenance, a water and temperature damaged masonry chimney could collapse, which means serious costs.

You can protect your chimney from this type of deterioration in a couple different ways. One way to do this is to have a chimney service apply water repellent to the outside of the chimney. Using a water repellent instead of a sealant is crucial, because the repellent allows water vapor trapped in the masonry to escape, while it discourages water entry. A sealant will keep any moisture trapped and the damage will happen anyway.

Another way to protect your chimney is to have a chimney cap installed. A chimney cap is a small, simple contraption that covers the top of your chimney. Usually made of copper or stainless steel, chimney caps prevent water from freely entering the inside of the chimney. This can help prevent water damage to your masonry and water damage to other areas such as the flue, damper, and the inside of your home. In addition to keeping water out of the chimney, chimney caps also prevent animals from nesting in the flue and keeps live embers from escaping to create a fire hazard.

Both the application of a water repellent and the installation of a chimney cap should be performed by a licensed professional. Chimney caps sold by big box hardware stores are generally low quality and a chimney service can provide you with a properly fitting, high quality chimney cap that will last years longer. Also, both services pose serious danger to your safety, so consider leaving them to the experts. If you live in the Suffolk County area of Long Island, New York, contact Chief Chimney Services, Inc. for a professional consultation.

By John Pilger on August 25th, 2014 | Tagged with: Tags: , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Changing Temperatures Can Seriously Damage Your Chimney