Your chimney is one of the best things about your house. For example, it increases your property value. It also enhances your interior design, becomes a backdrop for family memories and photos, and has a functioning purpose. Burning a fire during cool months can mean huge savings for your family. There’s really only one way you can go wrong with a chimney…neglect. Neglect will end up costing you in the long run and may turn your investment into a nightmare.
Chimney Neglect
Over time even a well-constructed fireplace and chimney system can become badly damaged. Parts can fall into disrepair, creosote and soot can cause a buildup in the flue, masonry can become damaged, and water can penetrate the system. Of all the things that can happen to your chimney in its life, water damage is the worst. Water damages chimneys from the inside out. Once water enters the system by way of faulty flashing, masonry, or the flue opening, it can:
-Rust and damage parts
-Deteriorate the firebox assemblies
-Rot wood, walls, flooring, furniture, and more
-Stain masonry, walls, and ceilings as well as exterior masonry
-Clog the clean-out area
-Damage exterior mortar and interior liner
-Compromise structural integrity
Minor damage today can turn into major damage later when a chimney leak occurs. The good thing about chimney leaks is that they’re 100 percent preventable. Prevent a leak now and you can avoid even more damage this winter when the freeze/thaw cycle can wreak havoc on your masonry.
Prevent Leaks with Waterproofing Services
We specialize in prevention at Mr. Smokestack Chimney Service. To prevent leaks, we recommend waterproofing services to all of our customers in and around Raleigh, North Carolina. A Mr. Smokestack Chimney Service technician can apply an industrial product to your exterior masonry that will not just prevent water from penetrating, but repel it. Additionally, the waterproofing agent we use is vapor-permeable, so your masonry can still breathe and allow gas to escape while keeping water molecules from getting in. It doesn’t change the appearance of the masonry whatsoever and is completely worth it. Once your masonry is waterproofed with this special formula, it will repel water year after year! It will only need repeated once every several years as long as other service appointments are kept and the chimney is taken well care of.
The chimney system should be inspected and cleaned regularly so that damage is caught and repaired before water is allowed in. A missing chimney cap, dislodged flashing, or damaged chimney crown can lead to chimney leaks just as much as damaged or neglected masonry. When you schedule routine maintenance with a professional, problems like this are noticed and corrected before any real damage occurs.
Don’t let water ruin your chimney! Mr. Smokestack Chimney Service can waterproof your chimney and it will be ready for burn season when fall arrives. Call us at 919-747-1859 or schedule online to get started today!
