Protect Your Chimney With Flashing and Waterproofing

To you, winter means warm and cozy fires in your fireplace. However, for your chimney, winter means something else entirely. It means wet and potentially damaging weather. The water and moisture that comes with winter’s rain, snow, sleet and ice can do major damage to your chimney. In addition, not only your chimney, but through your chimney, and to your home. That’s why the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) cautions homeowners to protect their chimneys from water damage. As you prepare your chimney for winter weather, there are two things you should consider: Your chimney flashing and waterproofing.

Flashing

Your chimney flashing is the sheet metal material that connects your chimney to your roof-line. This seals off the seam from potential water intrusions. Over time, that flashing can rust and corrode. It can develop cracks and holes that allow water to make its way into your home, along the base of the chimney. Those in the chimney repair industry report that most chimney leaks are in the flashing, around the base of the chimney.

Leaks in the chimney flashing are especially dangerous to your home. This is because leaks in the flashing don’t just let water into your chimney.  They also let water leak into your home’s roof and structure. Leaks through the chimney flashing can cause water rot and damage in your home’s joists and studs. It can cause mold in your attic, and it can cause discoloration and sagging in ceilings and wallboard. So, as you prepare your chimney and your home for winter weather, you should have your chimney flashing inspected.  Have any damage to the chimney flashing repaired before leaks develop.

Waterproofing

Chimney masonry materials are highly porous. Bricks, mortar and stone absorb and retain water. In the winter, the water inside the masonry materials freezes and expands when temperatures drop. That freezing causes bricks to cause spalling and mortar to crumble. That spalling and crumbling degrades the chimney structure over time. Consequently, this leads to chimney leaks or weakness in the chimney structure.

One of the most effective ways to protect your chimney from water damage is with waterproofing. Waterproofing involves applying a solution to your chimney that prevents chimney masonry from drawing in water and moisture, while still allowing your chimney to breathe. Waterproofing can protect your home and chimney from water leaks. In addition, it can save your chimney structure from major damage.

Call Your Chimney Sweep Today!

Make sure your chimney is protected from rain, snow, sleet and ice this winter. Call Your Chimney Sweep to schedule an appointment today! We can inspect and, when needed, repair the flashing around the base of your chimney.  Plus, we can waterproof your chimney to protect your chimney masonry from all of this winter’s wet weather!