We Fix Leaky Chimneys

Attention Homeowners: Have you noticed any of these in your home?

• Water on the floor or walls of your firebox/fireplace?
• A rusted fireplace damper?
• Staining on the interior walls or ceiling near the fireplace?
• Discoloration on the exterior bricks of the chimney?
• Foul odors seeming to come from the fireplace?

If you said yes to any of these, the problem may be a leaky chimney.  If this is the case, you’ll want to address it immediately.  Northeastern Chimney of West Hartford, CT, provides the expert services you need to determine why your chimney is leaking, where the leak is coming from, and the best way to remedy the situation.

Water & Chimneys Don’t Mix

Water is critical to the life of human beings, but it’s no good for the life of a chimney.  Rain water and water from melting snow both have the ability to slowly deteriorate even the strongest brick and mortar used to build a chimney.  The settling of the home, intense weather and plain old age can eventually produce some cracks in the chimney structure.  Protective areas of the chimney such as the flashing and chimney crown also can become compromised over time.

When this happens, water can infiltrate the system, where it will cause more extensive damage.  Water inside cracked mortar joints will freeze and expand in cold weather, pushing against the surrounding material and causing more significant cracks.  Once enough water is inside the structure, potentially catastrophic damage – and danger – could be on the horizon.

Let’s look at a few areas of the chimney system that are prone to damage.

Common Causes of a Leaky Chimney

Chimney crown

The crown is the protective layer of cement at the top of the chimney.  The average homeowner doesn’t know the exact condition of his or her chimney crown at any given time.  A Northeastern Chimney technician, however, can quickly tell you what’s happening with the crown and initiate any necessary repairs if cracking has begun.

Mortar joints

While these sections are made to last a long time, they won’t last forever.  Once cracks start to appear, they usually only get worse.  It’s impossible for a homeowner to gauge just how much water has entered the system through compromised mortar joints.  For this determination, you need a professional chimney inspector.

Flashing

Flashing is the material that seals off the gap between the chimney and the roof.  When in good repair, flashing keeps water from running down into the home beside the chimney.  When flashing is warped or otherwise damaged, water has a clear path to create serious damage to the interior building materials of the home.  We repair and replace damaged flashing to keep water out.

Roofing shingles

Damage to roofing shingles is an unlikely reason for leaks in the area of the chimney, but it’s a possibility.  Only a skilled inspector will be able to know with certainty.

Chimney liner

If somehow water is getting down inside your chimney, it’s much better for it to simply flow down to the firebox than to penetrate the chimney’s interior bricks.  If your chimney liner is damaged, the bricks are wide open to water (and heat) infiltration.  Few homeowners have the equipment and know-how to properly inspect a chimney liner.  This is why people throughout the West Hartford, CT, area count on us to solve any problems with their chimney liners.

Don’t Put Off Your Next Chimney Inspection!

As you can see, many problems that lead to leaky chimneys often go overlooked.  The only way to ensure that your entire chimney system is waterproof and working correctly is with a professional chimney inspection from your neighbors at Northeastern Chimney.  To schedule an appointment, or to get your questions answered, call us today at (860) 233-5770.  We’ll solve your problem the right way the first time.