by Mark Hudson | Oct 30, 2018 | Chimney Leaks
Chimney leaks are a common problem and something we often see at Hudson Chimney. Tropical storm weather and frequent rains can lead to chimney leaks that lead to serious chimney damage. Water can wreck a chimney in no time, and must be detected and repaired as soon as possible, so dripping in the chimney system is a serious issue.
Signs of a Chimney Leak
Dripping in the chimney system is only one sign of a chimney leak. It may be one of the first signs of a leak that a homeowner recognizes. Usually visible or obvious signs aren’t detected until major damage has occurred behind the scenes, and that’s because they aren’t sure what the signs are.
Dripping
If your chimney system has a dripping sound or visible dripping, there is a drip inside, probably causing water to pool on the smoke shelf, damaging interior parts, and allowing mold and mildew to grow.
Stains
Green and dark green staining on the fireplace interior is a sign of a prolonged leak. Rust stains on the chimney exterior, near the top, is a sign of a leak that is causing the cap or chase to leak. White stains on the exterior (efflorescence) is a sign that water is moving through the masonry and leaving deposits on the outside of the masonry.
Odors
If odors are present in the system, there is most likely water inside. This may be mildew or moldy odors, or even the smell of barbecue (which also indicates a dirty chimney).
Leaks
Even if there are leaks in other areas of the house, the problem is usually the chimney. Water moves through the chimney, travels through walls, ceilings, and floors, and then pools at a low point before forming a leak. If your house has a leak, don’t call the contractor! Call a chimney professional.
What Water Does
If you notice dripping or other signs of chimney leaks, you must call a professional right away. Water damage can cause deterioration, structural damage, rusted and damaged parts, water damage to the rest of the home, and even leaning and crumbling of the system. It is not just a situation where the risk of fire is higher, but also that the structure itself can become dangerous.
If chimney leaks are not repaired as soon as they’re detected, then your system can take on more damage during tropical storm season as well as winter. A professional should correct the problem right away, whether it’s replacing the cap, crown, flashing, or repairing the masonry. An amateur or general contractor may repair the water damage, but a chimney professional will fix the problem at the source. A Hudson Chimney sweep will leave your chimney in the best shape–probably better than it’s been since you’ve owned your home–and help it last a lifetime.
Call Hudson Chimney for all your chimney care in Jacksonville, Florida area today at 904-282-4159.
by Mark Hudson | Jun 4, 2015 | Storm Damage
Since we call Northeastern Florida our home, Hudson Chimney is familiar with the heavy rains that come with summer storms, and we are very experienced with the damage these rainstorms can do to chimneys. Repairing leaky chimneys and preventing further water penetration of masonry chimneys are two jobs you can trust our certified chimney technicians with performing. We would like to tell you more about the damage water leaks can do to your chimney and your home as well as the preventive measures we can take to protect your masonry chimney from the heavy rains of the summer storms we frequently see in our area.
THE DAMAGE DONE BY WATER PENETRATION
According to the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA), water is your masonry chimney’s biggest enemy. Since chimneys are built using materials like brick, mortar, concrete, stone, flue tile, steel, and cast-iron, they are seriously compromised by water leaks because every one of these building materials are negatively affected by direct contact with water. What kind of damage can water penetration do to your masonry chimney system and home? Examples of the expensive and possibly dangerous damage from water leaks include the following:
- rusted fireplace and chimney parts
- rotted wood that surrounds your fireplace
- stains on the walls and ceilings around your fireplace
- deteriorated exterior chimney
- cracked or damaged flue liner
- collapsed hearth support
- leaning or collapsed chimney structure
THE PREVENTION OF WATER LEAKS
The certified chimney technicians at Hudson Chimney offer a couple of ways to protect your masonry chimney from water penetration and remove the possibilities of water leaks, including:
Waterproofing
Using a 100% vapor permeable formula that allows your chimney to still be able to “breathe,” our chimney technicians will apply this formula to let water that has already penetrated your masonry chimney escape, which will prevent future damage such as spalling and erosion due to the freeze-thaw process. Furthermore, the waterproofing formula keeps water from entering from the outside to protect your masonry chimney from water leaks and other deterioration. You can trust Hudson Chimney to never use paint or clear sealers as these may cause even more spalling damage by trapping water vapors and moisture inside your chimney.
Flashing
A poorly done flashing job can actually cause water to penetrate your chimney because water from rain and melted snow can enter through gaps in the flashing. Our technicians will customize the flashing to properly fit around your exterior chimney where it meets the roof. We will work with a licensed roofer to guarantee the flashing has been done correctly.
Be prepared for the heavy rains from the upcoming summer storms. Contact Hudson Chimney to prevent water penetration damage of your masonry chimney.
by Mark Hudson | Aug 15, 2014 | chimney repairs, leaky chimney, masonry repairs, water damage, waterproofing
Fixing a leaking chimney quickly can prevent thousands of dollars worth of damage. Leaky chimneys can lead to mold growth, water stains, drywall distortion, and insulation damage. Most importantly, small leaks that may seem insignificant will eventually become bigger leaks that create more damage to your home and that will cost more to repair.
Calling a professional to fix your leaky chimney is not only safer than making the attempt to fix it yourself, but it also ensures that the best – and the correct – repairs are made. The professionals at Hudson Chimney can locate the source or sources of the leaks and fix them accordingly. They will work to not only repair any damages, but to also prevent further damage.
Calling chimney professionals such as those at Hudson Chimney rather than roofing professionals is also important if you think your chimney is what is leaking. Professionals at Hudson Chimney have the expertise and tools necessary to find and fix a chimney leak, while roofing professionals have the expertise and tools to fix roofs. Signs that your chimney and not your roof is leaking include water-stains around your chimney, cracking in your flu lining, a collapsing chimney, and the staining of your chimney or the mortar.
There are several possible problems if your chimney is leaking, all of which Hudson Chimney is CSI-certified to repair:
- If the leak is coming from your chimney crown, Hudson Chimney can repair it with a crown coating material. It is important to fix small cracks because water can seep into the cracks, freeze and expand, and thus make the cracks bigger. If the chimney crown has bigger cracks, Hudson Chimney can replace the crown.
- If there is damage to the chimney flashing, or the metal sheeting that protects the gaps between your chimney and the roof, only a professional should attempt to fix it. Hudson Chimney offers this service to not only prevent further leaking, but to ensure the lifespan of your chimney.
- There might be damage to shingles surrounding your chimney. Professionals at Hudson Chimney can replace the shingles for you to stop the leaking.
- The erosion of mortar joints can easily lead to holes and thus leaks. Professionals at Hudson Chimney have been working for over thirty years to fix such problems and worse.
Once any cracks in bricks or mortar have been fixed, the professionals at Hudson Chimney can apply ChimneySaver’s Water Repellent to prevent water from seeping into the chimney. Bricks and mortar absorb water, which can cause leaking. Water repellent allows for the brick or mortar to keep water out while still letting the materials breathe. Therefore, it is important to use a water repellent and not a sealer, which will trap moisture created inside the chimney in the bricks or mortar and cause further damage. ChimneySaver’s Water Repellent does the job by blocking 99.9 percent of water from penetrating the bricks or mortar of your chimney while still being 100 percent vapor permeable, or letting your chimney breathe. Professionals at Hudson Chimney can also install chimney caps or chimney pans to prevent water from entering your chimney.
Repair your leaky chimney, and you will save yourself time and money as well as ensure your chimney’s longevity.
