We Specialize in Leaky Chimneys
Unfortunately, many homeowners do not realize exactly how damaging water leaks are to chimneys. Water causes so much damage and deterioration to chimneys that the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) has called water the biggest enemy to chimneys. If you have a masonry chimney, water weakens and erodes the bricks and mortar joints, which leads to structural problems. If you have a prefabricated chimney, water leaks causes the metal components of the chimney to corrode from rusting. Neglecting water leaks allows this damage to worsen and become more and more expensive to repair. To keep your chimney from suffering from extensive and costly water damage, you need to take care of water leaks as quickly as possible.. At Chim Cheree, we have over 35 years of experience in dealing with leaky chimneys, and our CSIA-certified chimney technicians can quickly locate the source of the leak, repair the problem, and prevent more leaks from occurring in the future. We would like to tell you more about how we can help you protect your chimney from water-related deterioration.
Where are the most common places where chimney water leaks occur?
When Chim Cheree the Chimney Specialists inspect chimneys for water leaks, we start at the very top of your chimney. Both types of chimneys need a chimney cap installed at the top to keep water and wild animals out of the chimney. If the cap is damaged or missing, water can easily get into the chimney to cause damage to both the masonry and metal components of the chimney. We can professionally install a chimney cap to prevent water from entering the chimney. Also located at the top of a masonry chimney is a chimney crown, which can become cracked and damaged from years of being directly exposed to the elements. Our CSIA-certified chimney experts will examine your crown, and if damage is found, we can repair any cracks and gaps and apply a protective formula to create a barrier against water penetration. We can also construct a new chimney crown if your crown is damaged beyond repair. The equivalent of a chimney crown for a prefabricated chimney is the chase cover. It serves the same purpose, but is made from metal instead of mortar. This means the damage occurs from rusting, which can cause the cover to crack and break apart. We can recommend and install durable chase covers to replace a damaged one.
Another common place where chimney leaks occur is the area where your chimney meets the roof. To protect this vulnerable area, you need a customized flashing system. We specialize in constructing these systems by layering sheets of metal around your chimney at the roof to provide a water-tight seal. We also have years of experience in repairing damaged flashing systems. Over the years, flashing can bend and break apart from wind damage or from wild animals. The metal sheets can also break from corrosion. When a flashing system is damaged, water can easily enter your chimney. When we look for chimney leaks, we will also inspect your flashing to see if it needs repairing or replacing.
How can Chim Cheree the Chimney Specialists prevent future chimney water leaks?
The best investment you can make to protect your chimney from water penetration damage is to waterproof your chimney. After we repair the leaks, we can apply a 100% vapor permeable waterproofing formula to your entire chimney that will keep water from being absorbed into the bricks and mortar of your chimney structure. We only use ChimneySaver products, which come with a 10-year warranty, so your chimney will be protected for a decade.
Keep water leaks from destroying your chimney. Contact us at Chim Cheree the Chimney Specialists to schedule an appointment for a chimney leak inspection today.