Over the years of working on chimneys in the Shenandoah Valley, Blue Ridge Chimney Services has seen the amount of damage that can occur to a chimney. This is especially true when a water leak has been neglected. The Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) warns of the dangers of chimney leaks. They call water the biggest enemy of masonry chimneys, and recommends repairing these leaks as soon as possible. This is to avoid extensive and expensive chimney damage.
It is especially important to have your leaky chimney fixed before the arrival of winter. This is because cold weather can be rough on masonry chimneys. Having your chimney professionally inspected before winter ensures your chimney is leak-free. In addition, it also gives you peace of mind, knowing your chimney will work safely and effectively all winter long. Our CSIA-certified chimney technicians specialize in repairing chimney leaks. Plus, we can also protect your chimney from future water leaks with a variety of water penetration preventive services. We would like to tell you more about how water leaks can damage your chimney. Also, how we can take care of your leaky chimney problem.
How do water leaks damage my chimney?
Water can cause several types of damage to your chimney and your home, including:
- Corrosion damage of the metal components including the damper and the liner.
- Rotting of the wooden parts of your home that are adjacent to the chimney, and stains of ceilings and walls.
The most destructive type of water damage typically happens during the winter.
Because masonry materials are porous, the bricks and mortar joints absorb water from rain and melted ice and snow. This absorbed water will freeze and expand whenever the temperature falls below 32 degrees Fahrenheit. The damage occurs when the weather warms back up above freezing, thus forcing the water to thaw. This causes the bricks and mortar joints to crack and break apart. Repeated cycles of freezing and thawing can accelerate and worsen the damage and deterioration to the point of serious structural damage. In addition, including the possible collapse of the entire chimney structure.
How does Blue Ridge Chimney Services take care of leaky chimneys?
If you suspect your chimney has a water leak, we provide inspection services to locate its source. We will give you a written estimate of the repairs needed to fix it. We can remove the damaged bricks and mortar, replacing them with masonry materials that match the existing chimney. Once these repairs have been completed, we can help you protect your chimney from future water leaks. Also, Blue Ridge Chimney offers chimney cap sales and installation services. These services will keep water out of the top of your chimney, as well as prevent wild animals from entering your chimney to nest.
In addition, we can also protect the opening of the chimney with both chase cover and chimney crown repair. This protects the area where the chimney meets the roof, which is the most common place where leaks occur. Plus, we provide customized flashing installation and repair services. For the ultimate protection against water penetration, we can waterproof your chimney to create a barrier against water. Blue Ridge only uses waterproofing formulas that are 100% vapor permeable. This allows vapors to escape, instead of causing even more masonry damage.
Neglecting chimney leaks can lead to unsafe conditions and expensive repairs! Contact us at Blue Ridge Chimney Services to learn more about how we specialize in dealing with leaky chimneys.