Invest in Our Chimney Leak Repair Services for Quality Protection in Rutland
Water in your home can lead to lots of damage and devastation. As a family-owned business, we know how important it is to keep your household as safe as possible, which is why we provide chimney leak prevention and repair services in Rutland and all surrounding areas.
Avoid costly repairs and guarantee better protection for your home by trusting our team with chimney inspection and fireplace repair services. Our certified techs put you first, personalize our care to your needs, and value honesty and integrity with every job.
Give us a call to ensure that long-lasting protection against the elements you deserve. You can also reach out to us online.
Can Water Hurt My Chimney?
Yes, water is extremely harmful to chimneys and can cause significant damage over time. If water is the good guy in your comic book story, then water is the villain – its arch nemesis, in fact.
One of the more common types of water damage is deterioration of the bricks and mortar. This process, known as spalling, can occur anytime, but it is especially common in the wintertime, when water absorbed by the masonry freezes and expands, causing the surface to flake off or the mortar joints to weaken.
Additionally, water damage to chimneys can result in rusting of metal components – such as the damper, chimney cap, and flashing. Rust not only weakens these components, but can also lead to even more water infiltration, as well as damage throughout the interior of the chimney and your home.
What Are the Best Ways To Prevent a Leaky Chimney?
Looking to avoid a leaky chimney altogether for your home in Rutland or somewhere surrounding? Preventing chimney leaks not only protects your home from water damage but also extends the life of your chimney and fireplace.
- Water-Repellent Treatment: Your bricks are porous and need a protective repellent applied to prevent water absorption. Many sealants in the market aren’t effective and end up trapping moisture inside the masonry. A specialized industry-grade water repellent – applied by a professional – should allow your chimney to breathe, while effectively blocking any new moisture from coming in.
- Chimney Cap Installation: Simple yet essential, a chimney cap sits at the top of your chimney, working hard to prevent rain, snow, debris, and even animals from entering. Without a chimney cap, all kinds of things can easily enter your chimney, leading to moisture buildup, damaged flue liners, blockages, and more.
- Chimney Flashing Repair: Chimney flashing is the metal barrier that seals and protects the space between your chimney and roof – an especially defenseless spot as these two materials expand and contract at different rates. Over time, flashing can corrode, crack, or come loose, allowing water to seep into your home – in fact, damaged flashing is one of the most common sources of chimney leaks. We can reseal or replace the flashing to ensure a watertight fit.
- Tuckpointing Services: Tuckpointing involves removing and replacing deteriorated mortar joints between bricks. Over time, the mortar in your chimney can wear away due to weather exposure, leaving gaps where water can penetrate. Tuckpointing restores the integrity of your chimney’s masonry, ensuring that it remains watertight. It also strengthens the overall structure of your chimney, reducing the risk of more severe damage down the line.
Chimney Crown Repair: The chimney crown is the concrete slab that sits atop your chimney. If your chimney crown is cracked or damaged, water can easily seep in, leading to leaks and further deterioration. A well-constructed chimney crown should be built from the right material and sloped downward to help direct water away from the chimney structure. We use Crowntite to repair and seal broken-down crowns. - Chase Cover Installation: If you have a prefabricated chimney, you’ll have a metal chase cover instead of a chimney crown in place. This serves the same function of a concrete crown, but faces different threats – namely rust, corrosion, dents, or misplacement. Replacing an old or damaged chase cover with a new, durable one made of stainless steel or copper will provide long-lasting protection against water damage.
…and of course:
- Annual Chimney Inspections: Regular chimney inspections are key to preventing leaks and maintaining the overall health of your chimney. During these, our certified techs can assess the condition of your chimney, checking for signs of damage and wear, and determining whether any repairs or new parts are needed. By catching issues early, we can address them before they lead to costly leaks (or other damage).
Ready to book your appointment? Reach out now.
Can a Chimney Leak Cause Damage to My Home?
Yes, if your chimney is leaking, it can definitely extend damage to the rest of your home. So, if you were hoping to put off repairs…don’t. You’ll only be facing more (and higher) repair costs down the line if you do.
How do leaks damage the rest of your home?
A common problem – and usually one of the first indications of leaks noticed by the homeowner – is staining, peeling paint, and deterioration of drywall on the walls and ceilings near the chimney. Then there’s mold and mildew growth, which not only looks unsightly and damages your home’s interior, but can also pose serious health risks to those living in the space.
A chimney leak can also affect the surrounding roof and attic areas. Water can seep into the roof decking, insulation, and rafters, causing rot, mold growth, and other issues that may require extensive repairs.
And, in severe cases, water from a leaking chimney can travel beyond the immediate area, leading to damage in other parts of your home. This can include warping of hardwood floors, buckling of flooring materials, and damage to furnishings and electrical systems.
What Are Common Signs of Chimney Leak?
Now, preventing chimney leaks altogether is always the ideal route, but sometimes things just don’t happen that way… If you already have a leak in your chimney, the next best thing is to catch it early. Keep a vigilant eye for the following:
- Water stains (like brown or discolored patches) on the walls or ceilings near the chimney
- Peeling paint or wallpaper on the walls around the chimney
- Musty odors near the fireplace or in rooms adjacent to the chimney
- Water pooling in the firebox or dampness on the interior surfaces of your fireplace
- Rust on the damper, fireplace doors, or any other metal components
- Exterior cracks in the bricks or damaged mortar joints
- White stains (efflorescence) or any other discoloration on the bricks
- Damaged or missing chimney cap
- Cracked, corroded, or bent chimney flashing
- Damp areas or water damage in your attic or on the roof near your chimney
If you notice any of these signs, it’s important to have your chimney inspected by a professional to determine the source of the leak and prevent further damage to your home.
Schedule Your Chimney Leak Inspection Today
Don’t let a leaking chimney threaten the safety and comfort of your home. Our chimney leak repair services in Rutland offer the quality and reliability you need to keep your home protected year-round.
Contact us today to schedule an inspection and take the first step towards a secure, leak-free chimney.
Our professional water-repellent treatment is an effective way to help prevent the need for chimney repairs.