Chimney Leaks and How to Fix Them

A search for information about chimney leaks and how to fix them is a common online activity. It seems most people are unaware that chimneys are vulnerable to moisture and chimney sweeps are frequently contacted about help with leaky chimneys. It’s important to contact chimney professionals because pinpointing the root cause is seldom easy. The following are among the common reasons for chimney leaks, though there are others.

Chimney Cap Issues

If there is no chimney cap at the top of your flue pipe or if the chimney cap needs repair, those are potential reasons for a chimney leak. Though categorized as accessories, chimney caps are essential! Moisture intrusion causes more chimney woes than anything else. Keeping precipitation out of your chimney system begins with the chimney cap. Without a chimney topper, rain, hail, snow, sleet, and freezing rain all directly enter the chimney flue.

When chimney sweeps are looking at chimney leaks and how to fix them, it all starts with making a determination about possible chimney cap issues. Water dripping down through your chimney is never a good thing.

Problems such as a rusted damper and fireplace grate are minor compared to chimney flue deterioration, which is accelerated by moisture mixed with creosote. For the safety of home and family, the chimney flue must be free of damage.

Otherwise, there is a heightened threat of both a house fire and carbon monoxide exposure, both of which are potentially deadly situations.

Damaged Chimney Flashing

The metal part of the chimney is meant as a watertight seal between the chimney and the roof. Unfortunately, it is difficult to properly install chimney flashing so that precipitation is kept out of the chimney system. Also, high winds can pull the metal out of place, which also results in moisture damage. It is not unusual to find that chimney flashing damage is the cause of chimney leaks. How to fix them when the cause is related to flashing is something only qualified chimney sweeps do best.

A Cracked Chimney Crown

The chimney crown is the white part at the top of masonry chimneys. The material chimney crowns are built with is not very durable. It doesn’t help that this is the chimney component most exposed to the harshness of outdoor conditions. Cracks easily develop on chimney crowns, which allows moisture to seep into the chimney system, ultimately resulting in chimney leaks.

For several reasons, it is important to schedule annual chimney inspections, and keeping close tabs on the condition of the chimney crown is one of those reasons.

Fixes for Chimney Leaks in Richmond VA & the Surrounding Area

In the Richmond VA area, Chimney Saver Solutions is an ideal place to call about chimney leaks and how to fix them. We offer chimney inspections as well as the full gamut of chimney services.

Contact us for chimney cleaning, flashing repair, chimney cap repair, full and partial chimney rebuilds, masonry repair, and chimney liner repair and replacement. You can also reach us via our handy contact form, or schedule an appointment by calling 804-440-5000 today.