Old Smokey's Fireplace & Chimney's Blog

Preventing Chimney Leaks Near the Roof

Have you noticed water stains or condensation on the walls adjacent your chimney? If so, this is probably an indication that there is water flowing on the outside of your chimney. This usually happens when water is able to get past the place where your chimney exits your home through the roof. At Old Smokey’s, we know that leaking near the roof can cause big and expensive problems for the rest of your home. We want to let you know what is causing your leaking and what can be done to fix it.

Flashing

The most likely cause of chimney leaking near the roof is related to your chimney roof flashing. When your chimney was constructed, the roof was built around it. Because your chimney gets hot, you wouldn’t want your chimney flush with your roof. Also, your chimney tends to settle at a different rate than your home, so you wouldn’t want it connected to your home. Therefore, there is a gap in between your chimney and your roof. This gap is where most water is allowed in. To cover this gap, we install flashing. Flashing is a metal piece that is attached to your roof and your chimney, covering the gap.

However, after years of weathering, your chimney roof flashing can start to wear out, rust, or become detached. When this happens, there is nothing to prevent water from flowing into your home on the outside of your chimney, causing all sorts of issues. You can easily resolve this issue by having you’re chimney flashing replaced by a CSIA-certified chimney technician.

Sealant

Sometimes your flashing may be in good shape, but the sealant that attached it has worn out. Once this happens, your flashing may detach and not function correctly. This is a common issue since sealant usually isn’t designed to last as long as the flashing. If your chimney flashing needs resealing, a CSIA-certified chimney technician can seal your chimney up to prevent leakage.

Although replacing flashing and sealing your chimney gap may seem like something that can be done by watching a couple of “how to” videos, only an experienced chimney technician can know for sure if your roof has been sealed correctly. Even the tiniest gap can cause devastating leaking into your home.

If you think that you may have a leak from your roof, Old Smokey’s is here for you. Call Old Smokey’s today at 800-876-6539 or 260-424-0009, or schedule an appointment online to meet with one of our CSIA chimney technicians today!

April Showers Bring Chimney Damage

If April showers bring May flowers, what do they do to masonry chimneys? Whatever month the rain comes down, it poses a threat to your chimney.

Old Smokey’s Fireplace & Chimney is familiar with the onslaughts of seasonal meteorological assaults on your chimney.

Let’s take a closer look.

Cold (or warm) April showers leave an impact on bricks and mortar. The rains exert physical stress on chimneys.

Old Smokey’s understands what damage excessive moisture can do to your chimney. Moisture in your chimney can damage the brickwork, chimney crown, flashing or liner. Brick absorbs water. Gaps, cracks or crumbling in mortar joints can allow this water to spread to other parts of your chimney.

Old Smokey’s has seen this many times.

A good move if you suspect water intrusion is a professional chimney inspection. We have to find out what’s going on — if anything. Water intrusion problems might not be seen by the average person at first glance. We suggest you schedule an appointment with Old Smokey’s today. Call us at 260-424-0009 or 800-876-6539 or click here.

Have Old Smokey’s Fireplace & Chimney take a professional look at your chimney’s brickwork. We’ll assess whether damage from April showers warrants chimney repair or rebuild.

Spalling is just one type of brick damage. Spalling is the surface deterioration of your brickwork. Cracks appear. Pieces of brick begin to form chips and break off. It’s a breakdown that demands attention, often resulting in brick replacement or more.

Let Old Smokey’s conduct an honest assessment of current conditions and guide you through recommended remedial options, ranging from repointing to selective brick replacement to chimney rebuilds.

The signs of leakage can be visual or smell-related.

Perhaps you see rust streaks, brick deterioration or vegetation on your chimney. Maybe your chimney smells damp, mildewed or moldy. How can you tell for sure what the cause is? A professional annual inspection is your best insurance policy against further damage from water or moisture intrusion. During an inspection, we identify areas of water entry, examine the flashing, the roof area surrounding the chimney, the chimney cap, the chimney crown and the masonry of the chimney itself.

One obvious remedy is to waterproof your chimney. Our highly trained technicians can apply the most effective waterproofing products available, designed for chimney systems and protective of your masonry.

Perhaps your moisture problem is caused my improperly installed or poor-quality flashing material. Properly installed and maintained flashing is an effective tool for keeping water out of your chimney system.

We are proud of our Old Smokey’s trained professionals.

For more than 20 years, Old Smokey’s has delivered excellence to homeowners in northern Indiana, northern Ohio and mid-Michigan. Homeowners from Elkhart in the west to Ypsilanti in the east, from Lansing in the north to Defiance and Fort Wayne in the south are served by Old Smokey’s.

Call us at today 260-424-0009 or 800-876-6539 or schedule an appointment online.

When you call, if you just happen to hear the Beatles’ song “Rain” while you’re waiting, that just means we’re not afraid of a little spring rain.