Chimney Leaks

Have you noticed water in your attic, moisture collecting around the base of the chimney, a water puddle in the bottom of your fireplace, or water stains on your walls around your fireplace, or even discoloration above your mantle? If so, you could be experiencing a chimney leak. There are many reasons why a chimney may start leaking. If you notice any of these signs, it’s best to call one of our chimney professionals immediately since signs of moisture damage can lead to a number of very expensive repairs if not addressed immediately.

Causes of a Chimney Leak

Finding the cause of a chimney leak is generally a process of elimination. Here are a few of the many common culprits:

• Lack of chimney cap– If your chimney is not covered by a chimney cap or spark arrestor, rain can enter your flue and fall straight down the chimney, soaking the masonry and brick on the way down.
• Cracked chimney crown– The chimney crown is the cement cover that sits on top of your chimney, covering the flue tiles and liner. If there are any cracks or openings in this cement or mortar, water can soak through and cause moisture damage all throughout your flue system even down into the smoke chamber, fireplace, and damper area.
• Lack of a chimney liner– Your chimney liner is what protects the inside of your flue. It safely contains the combustion products and directs them outside of the home. Since combustion products contain a large amount of moisture, it also protects the masonry material of the chimney from getting soaked from condensation as the temperature inside the chimney cools down. A cracked or missing chimney liner is a sure cause of moisture damage.
• Faulty flashing– Chimney flashing is what keeps rainwater from entering the house where the brick structure meets or comes through the roof. If your chimney flashing is old and deteriorating, it can leave a gap in between the roof and your chimney, allowing water and moisture to enter your home.
• Chase cover / Trim–  If your fireplace or chimney is a prefabricated unit, oftentimes the leak problems are either in the chase cover (a large rectangular piece of metal that the cap sits on), or the trim/siding not being properly installed and caulked.
• Masonry Work-  Bricks are naturally very porous, and so is the mortar used to hold them together, during long soaking rains they will absorb an incredible amount of water, so over a number of years taking into account the freeze-thaw effect, your masonry work itself can be the culprit.