Rainy Season Is Heading For Your Area

Posted by Elizabeth on January 14th, 2021

The pleasures and warmth of fires tend to blind homeowners. While distracted, homeowners, tend to forget to sustain the warmth is the proper maintenance through a trusted chimney company. A well-respected chimney company will be frank on the condition of the chimney’s vulnerability to weather conditions leading to deterioration. When owning a chimney, there somethings that customers do not think about. One is the build-up of creosote. Creosote that is build-up on the chimney lining is the main leading cause for chimney fires. The moisture acts as the biggest hazard for a chimney. Ultimately, if the water is not handled, then it will lead to a chimney fire or a house fire. The damages from moisture could cost the chimney system repairs.

Mortar & Flashing

Mortar is the sealant on brick chimneys; this is less durable than masonry only. When the mortar begins to crumble, flake off, or decay, this means that moisture easily seeps into the masonry. In the winter, the masonry will expand and contract repeatedly during the freezing and thawing cycles. With the continuous expansion and contracting, the masonry will being to flake off. If left unbothered, the chimney will eventually collapse and a chimney company will need to be called for the repairs.

Flashing is the metal part of the chimney that acts as a seak between the roof and chimney. Often, masons complete the installation wrong, but even with proper installation, the metal is susceptible to rapid rusting.  The smallest leak in the flashing can lead to structural damage on the roof. Flashing needs to be routinely inspected by a professional chimney technician.

Chimney Caps

Any chimney company will tell you that a chimney topper or cap installation is a huge step towards preventing moisture from getting into the chimney. Internal parts, like the damper, can rust due to rain seeping into the chimney.

Waterproofing…Chimney Lifesaver

As mentioned before, your chimney is exposed to hard elements and if left unprotected then it becomes vulnerable to structural deterioration. It is extremely important that minor damages are repaired as soon as possible.

A reputable chimney company can apply a waterproofing chimney saver to the masonry, which prevents water penetration and absorption. It is also known as chimney sealant, water repellent, or chimney waterproofing. Chimney saver is a 100% vapor permeable masonry waterproofing agent preventing flaking and prevents the need for brick chimney repairs.

Why Use a Masonry Waterproofing Chimney Saver?

• Minimizes future brick chimney repair costs
• Prevents water penetration & absorption from saturating brick masonry
• Minimizes/eliminates/retards brick masonry deterioration.
• Preserves & maintains existing & restored brick masonry
• Protects from the elements
  • your chimney sticks up from the home leaving it exposed to the elements (rain, snow, hail, debris to name a few)
  • materials such as fire clay tile, cast iron, fire bricks are porous and absorb large amounts of water
  • water leakage (often slow and gradual; often hidden until the aftermath becomes glaring)

Waterproofing chimney saver prevents water penetration and absorption. All high-quality chimney companies will recommend waterproofing chimney saver due to the design of masonry waterproofing. It prevents water damage which lowers the need for a chimney repair. This leaves the chimney able to breathe in but not out – other terms meaning water that is in can leave but the water that is outside cannot seep in. 

Sources:

sootmaster.net
guardianchimneysweeps.com
advancedfireplacetechnician.com
fireplacedoctor.net
sootaway.net
animalsout.com