When your chimney leaks in heavy rain it is often the result of cracked and separated bricks and mortar. Water freezes the cracks in winter. When the temperatures warm up, the ice thaws and leaves a gap in the mortar and around the flue pipe.
We all love spring time. Flowers, bird chirping and warmer weather means mother nature is waking up. In parts of the country, it signifies the “great thaw”. Frozen rivers will expand and flood low areas. Your driveway and steps may show expansion areas from the freeze and thaw.
Chimneys are the same way. Many chimney tops are not slanted properly and water sits on top and seeps into the cracks. When the temperatures freeze, the water does too. As it expands, the brick joints will push apart. This is where the trouble starts.
Notice in this "before" picture the cracks in the top portion of the chimney. It leaks in heavy rain! Request Service By Clicking On The Picture.
How do we stop chimney leaks in heavy rains?
The process of stopping chimney leaks in heavy rains is pretty straight forward. First, we clean and scrap any old mortar and chipping off the top and sides of the chimney. Most of the time, we have to add mortar back into a few areas.
Secondly, after the holes are patched and sealed, we coat the area with a sealant designed for chimneys. It will last from 10 to 15 years with periodic inspections.
The top picture is the “after” picture all sealed up and ready for another decade. Sometimes, the flues coming up from the firebox are installed without being level or plumb. We can not really change that but the repairs will minimize the look if needed.
