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!

FAQ: Why Fix a Leaky Chimney?

You wouldn’t second-guess a roof repair when you find a leak. Rain buckets are never a compliment to home decor, and there is the urgency of water damage to worry about.

A chimney leak is just as urgent as a roof leak, if not more. Your chimney works in a very specific way and is built to properly ventilate the home and protect from life-threatening gas accumulation. Even if your chimney doesn’t have a visible leak, a CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep® (CCS) should discover it during your regular chimney sweep or annual chimney inspection. An experienced and certified chimney sweep will not only find the leak, but detect the damage and provide a detailed report and recommendations.

Why a Leaky Chimney is a Big Deal

Water intrusion not only wreaks havoc on a masonry chimney, but also can cause unpleasant odors in your home, and raise the risk of flue fire. Fixing a leaky chimney now can prevent a high-cost repair later.

Masonry does not withstand water penetration. A small crack leads to a larger crack, and more damage follows when water continually freezes and thaws, expanding the spaces in the masonry. When this water enters the chimney’s interior it has access to the working parts of the chimney system, constructed of steel and cast iron. The water causes rust damage, destroying the metal parts.

The Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) warns homeowners that water penetration can cause interior and exterior damage to your home and masonry chimney including:

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

An Ounce of Prevention

The famed Benjamin Franklin quote applies to your chimney: “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”

We at Chief Chimney Services are experienced and able to repair your leaky chimney. We can repair, replace, and rebuild any part of your chimney if needed. However, we believe that preventing water damage is an essential part of chimney maintenance, and we proudly offer chimney waterproofing services.

ChimneySaver water-repellant products  are designed and tested for chimney application. It is no ordinary sealant, and should only be applied by a professional. ChimneySaver water-repellent products are designed specifically to keep water out, while allowing vapors and air molecules to escape.

Other products that Chief Chimney Services recommends, installs, and services are chimney caps and chimney flashing. The chimney cap keeps water from entering the chimney opening, while allowing smoke and gases to escape. Flashing directs rain water away from the chimney and down the roof.

As a homeowner you don’t want to find out you have a leaky chimney after the damage is done. Hire a professional to waterproof your chimney now, and remember to schedule your routine chimney sweepings and inspections. Contact Chief Chimney Services today!