Water Proofing

The only portion of your home that is not covered by the roof is your chimney, leaving it exposed to the elements, which could deteriorate many portions of the structure. Brick chimneys, also known as masonry chimneys, are affected by harsh climates due to the fact that bricks and mortar are porous. Saturated bricks and mortar deteriorate during seasons where freezing and thawing occurs, ice expands when it freezes causing spalling, Water that is trapped in the pores of the brick expands and damages the integrity of the chimney. There are simple and very effective ways to prevent damage to your chimney by taking measures to ensure your chimney is water tight. There are many ways keep your chimney safe from the effects of water damage, for example, installing chimney caps, applying water repellant and sealing the chimney’s crown with an elastomeric seal. A water tight chimney prevents leaks and preserves the life of your fireplace.

Some homes may have chimneys that are prefabricated. If you are unsure if your home has a masonry or prefabricated chimney, you can tell by looking at the outside portion of the structure. In most cases a prefabricated chimney will have vinyl or siding on the exterior, opposed to the all brick masonry exterior. Weather is the most common adversary because the chase cover, which is the medal structure that protects the top of the chimney, will rust and eventually tiny holes will form, leaving your chimney’s structure exposed to the elements. Water will leak from the rusted chase cover and saturate the steel liner that runs from the top of the fireplace to the chimney cap. If the liner becomes rusted, it’s deterioration can become a fire hazard. They are designed to safely transport high temperature flue gases to the top of the chimney without any strain from the outside atmosphere, therefore when rust occurs and ventilation is compromised, the flue cannot vent correctly causing a very hazardous situation.