Keeping water out of your masonry chimney? That is one of the biggest responsibilities you have as a homeowner! Water penetration can cause so much damage that the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) has called water the biggest enemy of masonry chimneys. What happens when water leaks into your chimney? You can end up with needing expensive and extensive repairs to make it function safely and efficiently. Knowing how to best protect your masonry chimney from water penetration can prolong the life of your chimney, as well as save you money. All Seasons Chimney specializes in preventing chimney leaks. Now, we would like to tell you more about a couple of our services that can protect your masonry chimney.
FLASHING
The area where your chimney meets the roof is very vulnerable to water leaks. In order to protect this area, you need a customized flashing system. Flashing consists of layers of metal sheeting that are wrapped around the chimney at the roof. To best prevent water penetration, the construction of the flashing is important. Unfortunately, not all flashing systems are properly constructed. Poor flashing jobs may even make it easier for water to leak into the chimney! You can trust All Seasons Chimney to take precise measurements of your chimney where it meets the roof. This allows us to cut the metal sheets to the exact sizes they should be. We also make sure to apply caulk where needed, to ensure a watertight seal of this area. In addition, we also repair flashing if your existing system has suffered from wind or corrosion damage.
WATERPROOFING
Masonry materials are naturally porous. So, in order to prevent water penetration, you need the extra protection of a professional waterproofing treatment. Our CSIA-certified chimney technicians can apply a formula to your chimney that will create a barrier against water penetration from rain and snow. We only use formulas that are 100 percent vapor permeable. This means that vapors are allowed to escape from the bricks and mortar joints. If these vapors are trapped inside the masonry materials, it can lead to serious problems. Bricks and mortar can crack and break apart! Waterproofing is one of the best investments you can make in your chimney, because it can protect it for a decade.
Both of these water penetration preventive services can prolong the life of your masonry chimney. Contact us at All Seasons Chimney to learn more about how we can help you keep the water out of your chimney this spring!