You might have seen us quote the claim of the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) that water is the biggest enemy of masonry chimneys. As all of our sweeps have been certified by the CSIA, Blue Ridge Chimney Services has a great deal of respect for that organization, and we strongly agree with this claim. When water has penetrated into the bricks and mortar of your chimney, it can create so much damage and deterioration that your chimney will be unsafe to use. The longer that your chimney is leaking, the greater the damage can become. This is why it is so important to have any chimney leaks repaired as soon as possible. A small chimney leak can turn into something much larger if it is left unrepaired. We recommend you contact us immediately after seeing evidence of a chimney leak so that we can locate and repair the leak. We would like to tell you more about why it is so important to act quickly on chimney leaks.
How do I know I have a chimney leak?
Not all of the signs of a chimney leak are as obvious as standing water in the bottom of your fireplace or as water stains on ceilings and walls. Take a look at the exterior of your chimney to see if you have any cracked or loose bricks or mortar joints. You may even have missing bricks and mortar joints, which are signs of long-term water penetration damage. You could also be getting leaks if your chimney cap has been damaged. You could smell a musty odor that could be a sign of too much moisture inside your chimney. If you notice any of these signs, contact us at Blue Ridge Chimney Services immediately to schedule a leaky chimney inspection.
Why do chimney leaks need immediate attention?
As you read above, one of the signs of chimney leaks has to do with cracked and loose bricks and mortar joints. When the masonry materials are damaged, even more water can leak into your chimney through the cracks and gaps. Spring is a very important time to look for damaged bricks and mortar joints because a great deal of this damage occurs in the winter because trapped water freezes inside masonry materials and causes spalling damage when the water thaws. If your chimney has suffered from winter-related damage, it is very important you have this damage repaired quickly to keep the heavy rains of spring and summer from entering your chimney. The longer you wait to repair a damaged chimney, the more damaged it will become resulting in a more expensive repair.
How can Blue Ridge Chimney Services fix my leaky chimney?
Our experienced masons can find the location of any chimney leak and fix the problem that is causing the leak. We sell and install good quality chimney caps that will keep water out of the chimney, and we also offer customized flashing services that will protect the vulnerable area where your chimney meets the roof. After we have repaired the leak damage, we can apply a waterproofing formula to your entire chimney that will create a barrier against water penetration.
Have you noticed any signs of a leaky chimney and live in the Shenandoah Valley? Contact us at Blue Ridge Chimney Services to begin scheduling an inspection from our CSIA-certified chimney experts so that we can quickly repair the leaky issue.