Your chimney is a very important part of your home, and when there is something wrong with it, it can lead to some major problems. Cincinnati is known to get a little wet at times and homeowners are most likely familiar with doing chimney repair because of water finding its way into their home. Water leaks can be a major issue in your home and cause a lot of damage, in turn costing you a lot of money. That is why you must be proactive with your chimney maintenance and call a chimney repair expert at the first sign of problems.
There are a number of ways you can tell that water is getting into your home through the chimney and it pays to keep your eyes peeled. A lot of the ways water can get in are due to wear and tear or even poor workmanship in some cases. Cincinnati weather really doesn’t do your chimney any favors either. It is crucial that you pay attention to any signs of water coming in so you can stop any leak before it turns into something much larger.
Keep reading to find out some ways you can spot those leaks before they become a problem.
Damage To Bricks And Mortar
If you are fairly inexperienced with building and doing repairs around the home it is going to be difficult for you to spot very specific problems involving chimney leaks. One thing you can do is get up on your roof, or as close as you can, and check the chimney itself for any sort of cracking or damage. Bricks and mortar do not last forever and can develop cracks over time and if they go unnoticed, they can lead a complete chimney rebuilding.
Damage To The Chimney Crown
Even if you are not experienced in chimney repair, during a chimney sweeping you should take a look at the top of the chimney, called the crown. You want to make sure there are no easily damaged or low-quality materials used in your chimney crown. These days a lot of chimney crowns are made strictly from concrete, which is far superior and more durable than older materials like mortar. However, some companies still use regular mortar for the crown of the chimney as it is cheaper and faster to build.
Broken Or Missing Chimney Cap
One of the main causes of water leaks that require chimney repair is due to the factory-made cover called the cap. The purpose of these chimney caps is to keep out water and debris. Installing a chimney cap if you don’t already have one or replacing an old, damaged chimney cap may solve the issue. You may not be able to find minor issues yourself and it would be ideal to get a professional in if you have any concerns.
Damage To The Chimney Flash
If you are not aware of what flashing is, it is used in a lot of different building applications to keep water out. Think of it as the sealing between your roofing and the chimney itself that provides protection from the elements. Sometimes this flashing can become damaged by the weather or from power washing and water will start getting through and cause damage in your home.
Keep Your Eyes Open
When it comes to keeping your home safe from water damage, your own two eyes are going to be your biggest ally. Chimney repair and water damage can become very expensive and time-consuming, and a huge headache in general. Keep your eyes peeled and call in a chimney cleaning expert at the first sign of damage or water leaks around your chimney.
Thank you for explaining the signs that you need a chimney repair and how if there is a missing chimney flap you should get it repaired. Just the other day I noticed that the chimney flap in our chimney is missing. I will make sure to call a chimney contractor to come and repair it.
I didn’t realize that cracks in the bricks and mortar on a chimney can create the need for a complete chimney rebuild. My husband and I have been thinking about buying an old 1920s house with intricate brickwork. We weren’t sure about the condition of the chimney, so we’ll have to have it checked out by a mason.
Thanks for explaining that the chimney flash seals off the water and keeps it protected for the weather. My home is rather old, so I’ve been thinking it may be wise to get the chimney looked at. Do you have any tips for finding a great chimney service?
That’s a good point that bricks and mortar don’t last forever and may need repairs. The house I bought to remodel has a bad chimney and fireplace. We’ll have to get repair services before we can do any work in that part of the house.
It’s great you mentioned having to call in a chimney repairman when you notice that there’s something wrong with the structure–especially if it looks like it’s leaning to one side and is about to collapse. Calling in a chimney repairman at this time would be a good idea since a collapsed chimney would mean bad things for the fireplace, especially when it comes to lighting up the fireplace and you haven’t the slightest that it’s about to fall over. If I had the chance to work as a chimney repairman then I would want to make sure that any and all clients would know that having a malfunctioning chimney is a bad thing in the long run.
It was really helpful when you said that you need repairs if you have cracks in your chimney. Yesterday my husband was on our roof cleaning our gutters, and noticed some cracks on our chimney, and we were wondering if that was a bad sign. We’ll have to look into hiring a professional to come and see if we need repairs!
It’s news to me that bricks are prone to cracking as they age, and you can prevent it by hiring a professional who can look into this for you! My uncle plans to purchase a retirement home this year, and he wants the one that sports a fireplace. I’ll go ahead and suggest that he invest in hiring a masonry expert who can maintain and repair any issues for him in the future.