Company Blog

Protecting Your Masonry Chimney from Water Penetration

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!

Seal Your Chimney Flashing Before It’s Too Late

Summer has officially come to an end, and now it is time to look ahead to the exciting change of seasons. The colorful leaves and chilly weather has everyone in the season spirit. The upcoming holidays are also on a lot of people’s minds as the end of the year approaches. This is usually a happy time of year, and no one wants to think about keeping their roofs from leaking, or even about a roof that is already leaking. However, now is the best time to take care of any roof leaks because the frigid winters in the Hudson Valley make roof conditions too dangerous to work on until spring comes around again.

Chimneys are responsible for a surprising number of water leaks into the house. Without a chimney cap, water can enter directly through the top of the chimney. If the masonry is improperly sealed, water can travel through the brick and mortar, right into the house. While these issues deserve a column of their own, leaky flashing is the topic of today.

Flashing is a covering used to stop water from leaking beneath the roof shingles. It can be found anywhere the line of the roof ends, such as around dormers or sky lights. Chimney flashing prevents water from leaking in where the chimney protrudes from the roof. Generally made of aluminum, the flashing on a chimney is much more complex than flashing on other areas of the roof. It consists of four woven layers of flashing all sealed with mortar to prevent premature decay.

While the mortar that holds the flashing together holds up longer than other materials some nonprofessionals use on their flashing, it is not indestructible. If not maintained properly, mortar will eventually deteriorate. It is a porous material, so when exposed to water, the mortar absorbs it readily. Then, around winter time, the saturated mortar expands and contracts during the freeze and thaw cycle. This inevitably results in cracks, and in turn, a leaky roof. In order to prevent a leaky roof and to maintain the integrity of the flashing, you can have your mason seal the flashing around the chimney.

Applying a sealant to your flashing keeps the aluminum and the mortar out of direct contact with the elements. The waterproof sealant prevents water from seeping into the mortar or even into your home. For the ambitious do-it-yourself types, be aware that poorly serviced flashing will not last as long as properly maintained flashing, and it could even cost you thousands of dollars in water damage repairs.

If you live in the Hudson Valley area of New York, contact All Seasons Chimney for a professional consultation. Take care of your home and chimney before it is too late.