There are some things that definitely need to be waterproofed. If you’ve ever been in a tent in the middle of a rainstorm, you know how important it is to have a waterproof tent. Your rain boots are pretty much worthless if they aren’t waterproof, as is your raincoat. If your roof starts to leak, you could be in for some expensive home repair bills. Same is true with your chimney. The good news is, there are some things you can do to ensure that your chimney stays dry and free of leaks.
What To Check For
If you suspect that your chimney is leaking, you’ll want to take care of that as soon as possible. A leaky chimney can cause many problems, including rusty chimney parts such as your accessories and damper assembly; rotting woodwork; damp and sagging wall coverings and ceiling tiles; and cracked or deteriorating flue lining. Even worse, you could experience structural damage to your chimney. Because of all the problems leaks could cause, it’s important to recognize the signs that you may have a leak.
First, check out the interior of your home around the fireplace itself. Some obvious signs are discolored wallpaper or ceiling tile, usually a tan or brown color. The paper or wallboard will be soft and easy to stick a finger through as well. On the outside of your home, you may see flaky or peeling bricks or even flakes and specks of mortar or brick laying on the ground around your chimney. This process, called spalling, is a sign that your bricks and mortar are weakening, and this can cause structural damage.
During the cold winter months, precipitation gets in the pores of the bricks and mortar, freezes, and that causes the pores to expand. The weather warms up and the ice thaws, then the next time it precipitates and freezes, those pores get even bigger. This freeze-thaw process can cause serious damage to your chimney.
Waterproofing
Fortunately, there is something that can be done to protect your chimney from the freeze-thaw cycle: waterproofing. Waterproofing is just one of the things we, at Ceaser Chimney Service, specialize in. Waterproofing is just what it sounds like. We take a special product, ChimneySaver Water Repellent, and coat your chimney so that water can’t get in. There is, however, something that can go wrong when you have your chimney waterproofed. Your bricks and mortar will have some residual water in them, and that water needs to be able to get out. That’s why this product is so important. ChimneySaver Water Repellent keeps the water out, but it also allows that residual water to evaporate.
Along with using the perfect product for waterproofing, our professionals have had years of experience in waterproofing chimneys. When you call Ceaser Chimney Service, you know that you’ll have the job done right. Give us a call today and stop worrying about a leaky chimney!