Leaky Chimney? Call Ashbusters Chimney ASAP

  • Water in your fireplace?
  • Water-damaged walls and ceilings?
  • Wood rot or mold in attics?
  • Drip, drip, drip sounds coming from your chimney during a storm?
  • Brick chimney in bad shape?
  • Rusted chimney cap or chase cover?

These are all signs of a chimney leak and they should all be taken seriously. What’s the rush?

Dark Brown chimney with metal cover shown on roof in the middle of rain pouring down trees are seen in the background

When it comes to your chimney and fireplace, water is the enemy. We’ve seen chimney leaks destroy entire chimney systems – inside and out – and the surrounding areas of the home. And as you can imagine, when damage is extensive, the price tag is expensive.

That’s why, the moment you suspect a leak, the best thing you can do for your chimney and your wallet is schedule an inspection with a Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA)-certified chimney sweep.

Our experienced chimney leak professionals will come out, locate the source of the leak, assess the damage, and recommend a lasting and effective solution. We won’t take a band-aid approach, slapping on some short-term solution that will fail you within months. We’ll make sure the leak is properly fixed, so you don’t have water creeping back in.

Leak Inspections: We’ll Find the Cause of Your Chimney Leak Fast

If you have a leaky chimney, you may be wondering how water is getting in. After all, not all leak entry points are obvious. Well, you can put away the flashlight and reclaim your weekends – Ashbusters will take care of it for you. Our experts are trained to find leak sources and put a stop to leaks for good.

Here are some of the first areas we’ll check during a leak inspection:

  • The Flashing – The metal flashing that covers the roof and base of the chimney where the two meet plays a leading role in preventing leaks. But depending on installation, weather, and the type of metal used, flashing can fail over time. Strong winds can lift it or pull it away from the chimney, poor installation can allow for water entry, and some metals can rust through. Flashing failure is a common cause of chimney leaks, so this is one of the first things we’ll check.
  • The Chimney Cap – Chimney caps cover the flue and shield it against water entry. But if the cap is missing or is a poor fit for the flue, water can get in and cause problems. Missing chimney caps are commonly to blame for chimney leaks and water damage. But if that’s what’s causing your leak, the solution is simple – you just need the right cap.
  • The Crown or Chase Cover – The chimney crown is the cement covering that seals up the top of a masonry chimney. On a prefabricated or metal chimney, this component is called a chase cover and is crafted of metal. All chimneys have one or the other, but leaks spring up when crowns crack and crumble and chase covers rust and cave. We’ll carefully inspect your chase cover or crown and make sure it’s not responsible for your chimney leak.
  • The Chimney Masonry or Chase – Masonry chimneys are strong and durable, and so are prefabricated chimney chases – which are typically made of wood or metal and some kind of decorative siding. But the trouble is, over time. both can lose in the battle against water. Masonry can absorb water, crack, and deteriorate, allowing even more water into the chimney system. And if water is making its way into the chase, wood can rot, metal can rust, and the chase can fail to protect the chimney. The trouble is, from the ground, it’s not always easy to see if the chimney masonry or chase is compromised. But during our inspection, we’ll take a close look at every area, checking for cracks, deterioration, and any signs of water damage or entry.

Once We Find the Leak, We Stop the Leak

When we’re done, you’ll know exactly where water is entering your system and what needs to be done to put a stop to it. And because our team specializes in chimney repairs, we can take care of everything for you.

We:

  • Seal, repair, and replace flashing
  • Repair, replace, and seal crowns
  • Replace chase covers
  • Replace chimney caps
  • Repair masonry

One Waterproofing Application, Decades of Leak Protection

We’ll also make suggestions for preventing chimney leaks down the line. Our team specializes in chimney waterproofing, which is one of the best ways to protect your masonry chimney against water damage.

We use a professional-grade water repellent that’s formulated specifically for masonry chimneys. What it does is prevent water molecules (which are larger) from entering the porous masonry, while allowing vapor molecules (which are smaller and released when your fireplace is in use) to escape the porous masonry. That way, water from the outside can’t damage your masonry and vapor from the fire can’t get stuck inside and deteriorate masonry. Homeowners love our chimney waterproofing system because it keeps their chimneys protected for decades and it doesn’t leave a sheen or alter the look of the chimney in any way.

Of course, there are also some little things you can do to prevent water damage. For example, keep the bushes and trees near your chimney well-trimmed, so they don’t drip water down onto your chimney, and make sure your downspouts aren’t directing water anywhere near your chimney base.

Don’t Let Water Destroy Your Chimney  – Call Ashbusters of Milwaukee Today

Now that you know what causes chimney leaks, why leaky chimneys should be fixed quickly, and what you can do to prevent leaks in the future, it’s time to take care of that leaky chimney.

Give us a call at 414-626-5636 and let us know if you suspect a leak. We’ll send someone out ASAP to get to the bottom of the issue and provide you with a long-lasting, effective solution. So you can kiss that leak goodbye. Call or request an appointment online today.

 

If you think chimney repairs aren’t really very important, take a look at what we call Chimneys Gone Wild, then call us to schedule an inspection of your system!