Leaky Chimney Repairs – Chimney Covers, Crowns & Liners
Keeping water out of your home is important. Leaking chimneys are a tough problem to solve. Our qualified technicians inspect your chimney, tell you why the water leak in the chimney is occurring, and fix the issue.
Leak Repair Service
Depending on what is wrong, we might do any of the following:
- Install a Chimney Cover
- Replace a Chase Cover
- Replace a Masonry Crown
- Waterproof a Brick Chimney
- Seal the Crown
- Line or Reline a Flue With a Properly Sized Liner
The list could go on depending on the problem, but this list includes common items.
About Chimney Leak Repair
Leaky chimneys cause thousands of dollars in damage each year. Below are some of the most common problems which we fix for our customers. If you believe one or more of the problems are causing water to enter your home, please contact us right away for an inspection.
Chimney Cover Repair
A chimney without a cover gets a lot of rain falling straight down into it. Chimney covers not only prevent rain from getting into the chimney top but also birds, animals, and debris. Their ability to prevent direct water damage from rain and blockage caused by animals makes installing chimney covers an effective form of safety.
Chimney Crown Repair
The chimney crown is a cement surround on top of the chimney. The bricks go around the clay tile flue liner, but at the top, you need something to stop the rain and snow from just falling in around the tiles.
Cracks in the chimney crown can occur from shifting of the structure or from shrinkage dating back to the first day the cement crown was put on. When your crown cracks, water goes right through. It is important to seal these cracks immediately to prevent further damage to the chimney top.
Chimney Flashing Repair
The flashing is what keeps water from entering the area where the chimney goes through the roof (or otherwise comes close to the roof). There is a fairly large gap between the bricks and the roof that water can pour through unless it is sealed. Flashing is made from metal that inserts under the shingles and up the side of the chimney. Another piece of metal is attached to the chimney that bends at the top of the flashing. The bend at the top of the flashing should be inserted into a groove that is cut into the chimney. This bond is sealed to prevent water from entering. Depending on the type of metal and sealant used, flashing deteriorate and don’t last forever.
Often, roof tar, which is far from the optimal choice, is used. There are better materials for sealing flashing now. We use Flash Seal by Saver Systems. It seals better and lasts longer.
Chimney Masonry Repair
Bricks and mortar both pass water, and lots of it. It is the same problem chimney crowns have–freezing and thawing all winter long which causes leaks in the house. Performing a Masonry Absorption Test (MAT) tells us how much water your chimney is absorbing. The test shows if the chimney has proper waterproofing. If it doesn’t, we advise you on the right course of action to prevent water damage with professional chimney masonry repair.
Contact us to learn more about our chimney leak repair services. We proudly serve clients throughout Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, DC.
