What to Do if Your Chimney Starts to Leak

1. What to Do if Your Chimney Starts to Leak Chimneys provide homeowners with a source of safety by allowing combustion gasses from burning wood to exit their homes. Unfortunately, chimney leaks can and do occur, and they can cause catastrophic damage if they are not promptly addressed. Here, you will learn what to do if your chimney starts to leak, and you will discover the importance of regular chimney cleaning and fireplace repairs in leak prevention. Check the Flashing Where your chimney meets your roof, you will find material called flashing which covers the joint between the chimney and your roofing material. This flashing is designed to prevent leaks, either from rainwater or melting snow and ice. If the flashing has been damaged by falling debris, wind, or even animals, it can create a significant leak that you may not notice for quite some time. For this reason, if you can do so, check your flashing for signs of problems regularly. You can also hire a professional to check it for you. Deterioration is a Real Threat Bricks and mortar are the go-to materials for chimneys, and for good reason. They are naturally fire retardant, and they provide excellent curb appeal at the same time. However, these are porous materials, and in areas where freezing temperatures are commonplace, they can and will deteriorate with time. Water soaks into the pores of the bricks, then freezes and expands, causing cracks. The constant freezing and thawing only exacerbates the issue, and you end up with large cracks that allow for chimney leaks. In most cases, annual chimney cleaning can prevent this as the sweeps can see deteriorated chimney masonry during the cleaning and fix it before it creates a major issue. Signs of a Chimney Leak Most homeowners are not aware that their chimneys are leaking until there is significant water damage. The leak must travel through the masonry, the roof, and down into the fireplace or the ceiling area adjacent to it. By this time, there’s already damage to wooden trusses and even insulation, not to mention your fireplace itself, depending on the location of the leak. Fireplace repair can become expensive, so if you notice spots of water anywhere in your home near your chimney or fireplace, you should never put off repairs. The Importance of Cleaning and Inspection

2. When you call a professional for chimney cleaning each year, these individuals may pick up problems that they can quickly and easily repair. Therefore, regular chimney cleaning and inspection should be part of your home maintenance plan. Annual is recommended, but you should consider twice-yearly cleanings if you use your fireplace more than four months out of the year. Things like chimney and fireplace repair should be tackled immediately to prevent worsening damage. A leaking chimney is certainly problematic, and the truth is that most homeowners do not even know there is a problem until significant damage has already been done. By scheduling annual chimney cleaning and inspection, you better your chances of avoiding these leaks altogether.