We certainly get some interesting weather in South Carolina—hurricane leftovers, rain, and humidity among them. If you’ve got a masonry chimney, it’s going to be especially susceptible to water, since it’s made of porous materials. You can avoid costly repairs by choosing preventive solutions, but whether you need repair current leaks or preventive care, Blue Sky Chimney can take care of it.
There is no way to make sure 100% of the water in the air doesn’t make its way into your chimney. There are, however, ways to minimize the damage.
You might think that a leaky chimney is the least of your worries as a homeowner, but it’s actually a source of damage to your home. Here are some of the problems caused by water entry through your chimney:
- Collapsed or tilted chimney
- Rusted damper assemblies
- Rotted rafters
- Stained and ruined walls, ceilings and wall coverings
- Flue liner cracks, rust and deterioration
With a list like that, keeping water out of your chimney becomes a top priority. We’ve got three common ways to protect your chimney from water damage:
Þ Replacing or installing a chimney cap
Þ Repairing the flashing
Þ Annual chimney inspection
A chimney cap keeps rain and moisture from bad weather out, and also keeps out animals, birds, and debris such as leaves and twigs. Flashing is the seal between the roofing and chimney that keeps water from out, and needs to be replaced or repaired over time. To waterproof your chimney, we use a vapor permeable product to the inside surface of your chimney that is both protective and preventive. If there is water already trapped inside, it will allow it to escape, while keeping any new moisture out.
Signs of a leaky chimney:
- Moldy odor
- Ceiling leaks
- Wet spots on ceiling around chimney
- Moisture bricks
- Cracking chimney bricks
If you’ve noticed any of these signs of water damage, that’s not great news—it could mean costly repairs are needed, especially if water has penetrated and caused structural damage to your home. But whether you’re playing catch-up or are ahead of the game, Blue Sky Chimney can help. We’re able to perform any repairs, and always highly recommend preventive treatment to save money down the road. Give us a call today to schedule an inspection and to discuss your waterproofing options.