Common Causes of Chimney Leaks

If you own a home with a fireplace, chances are at one time or another, you have had some sort of leak in your fireplace or chimney. If you haven’t learned about what might be the causes of a leaking chimney, you have stopped at the right site. Let us discuss the common causes of chimney leaks.

Where is the Leak Coming From?

The most common chimney leak is straight from the top down. There is an opening at the top of your chimney and rain and snow is getting in. The solution to this is a chimney cover. When the chimney opening is exposed to the outside, rain and water elements will come in. A chimney cover will also protect your chimney from debris and twigs. And yes, even small animals will build nests in your chimney. A blockage in your chimney can be very dangerous as Carbon Monoxide does not have an exit out of the house. CO poisoning can make you very sick and may be deadly.

Cracks in the chimney crown

The chimney crown has one purpose and that is to keep rainwater and snow from seeping into the chimney. The chimney crown is a cement structure that sits at the top of the chimney on top of the bricks. If the chimney crown is cracked, water will seep into the bricks and liner, causing a leak. This can be further detrimental if the water freezes and thaws. This causing larger cracks in the bricks and crown.

Humidity & Condensation

This condensation seeps from the inside of your chimney out. The problem being that the chimney liner is not the appropriate size, or it was installed incorrectly. Replacing the chimney liner should solve this problem.

Chimney Flashing

The chimney flashing is the metal piece that sits up against the bricks at the roof level. It is the protection from water entering the chimney. If the flashing is damaged or dislodged water can enter at that point and cause leakage. A professional chimney repair technician will be able to fix this damage.

Leaking bricks

Bricks and mortar break down over time. Be sure to have your annual inspection to avoid any leakage from bricks or mortar. Water gets into bricks as they are porous. Waterproofing bricks is a process that our professionals can perform. This may be a solution for you.

If you find that your chimney is leaking. It is time to call Felgemacher. We can help you solve your leakage problem.

A clean chimney is a safe chimney, and we’ll keep yours as safe and efficient as it can be. Our owners are certified through the Chimney Safety Institute of America – a stringent industry certification held by only the best sweeps in the U.S. We remove flammable creosote from chimney flues, reducing the chance of a chimney fire. We also remove debris and obstructions that could hamper the drafting of smoke and carbon monoxide. 

Leaky Chimney Repair Experts

We’ve been helping folks throughout the Buffalo NY and Rochester NY areas get the most out of their fireplace inserts, stoves, and chimneys for more than 60 years. When specialized chimney service is required, count on us for the best in chimney sweep, chimney repair, chimney rebuilding, and chimney inspection.