Benefits of Waterproofing a Chimney

21 Dec Benefits of Waterproofing a Chimney

Chimneys are wonderful structures as they help to expel fumes and smoke from your home. Unfortunately, as time goes on, it can have damage due to weather elements such as rain and snow. This is why you need to consider waterproofing a chimney.

You might think that waterproofing a chimney is an expensive process. The benefits of doing the work far outweigh the costs involved. A non-waterproofed chimney can lead to severe problems within your home.

Is Water Proofing a Chimney Necessary?

In most cases, a waterproofed chimney at some point in the past will not need re-doing for years. This is beneficial as it shows you may end up saving money while at the same time protecting your home. But when you have never gotten your chimney waterproofed before, you might want to consider doing so.

The benefits of waterproofing are vast and can save you money for years. Prevent future damage to the structure of your chimney. When water gets into your chimney, it can wreak havoc and can compromise even well-constructed brick from this wetness.

Causes of Chimney Leakage

Gain insights on three causes of your chimney leaking. Below is a guide:

Damaged Flashing

Flashing is a thin metal strip that you install around your chimney. When the flashing has damage, water can leak into the chimney. It can cause damage to its structure or interior elements. Remember that water leaking into your chimney can end up damaging the mortar joints. This is why you need to consider replacing such.

The flashing ensures that the connection between your chimney and roof is watertight. This will help keep you safe from any moisture entering into cracks or crevices where it might cause damage to equipment. Prevent fires in case of extreme weather conditions such as heavy snowfall. It can wreak havoc on your home with dry fuel sources nearby such as those made from wood.

Damaged Chimney Cap

A chimney cap is an important part of your chimney. It helps to keep weather conditions, debris, and animals out of it. Prevent moisture from entering the system. When your cap has damage in any way, water can easily get into the structure of your chimney.

Moisture that enters your chimney through a damaged cap will freeze and thaw as seasons change. This will cause the masonry to erode over time. You cannot see this damage from outside. But it can seriously compromise the overall stability of your chimney.

Missing Mortar

Mortar joints are crucial for your chimney. They hold the bricks together and help keep moisture from entering the system. When these joints are missing, water can get into your chimney and cause serious damage.

Water is a powerful force that can easily damage your home and potentially lead to an expensive repair! Moisture that the masonry absorbs could cause gaps or missing mortar. It will let water access the chimney structure where it is even more susceptible to further damages.

Missing mortar joints in between bricks are a frequent problem on brick chimneys. The porous material often erodes from water damage or cracks. It crumbles out through the accumulating wear incurred when freezing or thawing occurs over time.

Reasons to Waterproof Your Chimney?

Waterproofing helps to protect your chimney against the elements. It benefits you with:

Lower Risk of Fire Damage

A waterproofed chimney is less likely to catch fire than a non-waterproofed one. The masonry remains stable, and it can resist heat better than most other materials commonly used for this purpose.

Prevent future water problems where moisture could wreak havoc on your home. Water damage is a scenario nobody wants to deal with – especially in winter! Water leakage can lead to dangerous conditions.

Increase The Life-Span of Your Chimney

The benefits are worth it because it protects your chimney system from weathering, water, and rust damage.

Types of Chimney Waterproofing

Professionals use two types of waterproofing often:

Internal Waterproofing Membrane

Install this membrane on the inside of the chimney. It is a watertight sealant that will help keep moisture out. The membrane will also prevent any soot or creosote from entering into the structure and damaging it.

External Waterproofing Coating

Apply this coating to the exterior of your chimney. It helps to repel water and protect it from weather damage. This type of waterproofing is more common because it is easier to apply and less invasive than internal waterproofing.

Both methods have benefits and drawbacks. But they both can extend the life of your chimney significantly.

How to Waterproof Your Chimney?

Learn how to waterproof your chimney. There are five steps to do so:

Measure the surface area of your chimney 

Before starting your project, measure the surface area of your chimney. Use this number to calculate how many bricks or tiles you need for each square meter and order them at once!

Measure all four sides and add them together. From there, you can calculate how much material you will need for a proper coating on top of the structure itself.

You should make sure the pitch of your roof is not too steep and that you are comfortable climbing up on it. Use fall protection, like a rope or ladder to prevent serious injury as needed.

Clean The Chimney

Always clean the chimney. This will remove any built-up soot or creosote that could interfere with the waterproofing process.

Waterproofing your chimney can become a daunting task. But it is a worthwhile investment that can protect your home from serious water damage in the future. By following these simple tips, you can ensure to properly waterproof and protect your chimney against the elements.

Cleaning the chimney is necessary to ensure that it is clean and safe for you. You will want an annual cleaning. Make it two at most when there are no major repairs needed in between sessions like re-insertion of new firebrick and so on. Plus, other routine maintenance tasks such as checking all traps on occasion.

Absorbent Material Around The Base

Install an absorbent material around the base of the chimney. This will help to catch any water before it has a chance to enter the structure.

Use an absorbent material on the base of your chimney. You can prevent any run-off from landing on the roof. This can help to prevent serious leaks on your roof and also into your attic.

The absorption of water through the chimney is an inevitable consequence of brick and concrete block construction. Make bricks out of clay or stone. But they still retain some properties that allow them to absorb moisture from their environment. That is when exposed for long periods at a time without drying out quickly enough on their own accord.

Minor Repairs

When waterproofing a chimney, it is important to do minor repairs as well. This includes repairing any cracks or holes in the chimney.

Notice cracks in the mortar on your chimney or any other type of damage. It is important to get help from Pro-Tech Chimney as soon as possible. Cracks will continue expanding until they cause serious structural problems with airflow through your fireplaces and heat loss from inside your homes.

The sooner you take care of them, you can have less discomfort. People can still use their rooms during repairs while savings occur daily. No excess smoke migrates into other areas where folks spend most of the time.

Apply The Spray-on Water Repellant

Apply a spray-on water repellant to the chimney. This will help to keep the water out and protect the structure from further damage.

Spray-on chimney water repellant can do wonders in sealing small cracks from infiltrating the masonry. When you have minor damage, this coat will keep your fireplace running smoothly for an extended period. But when there are more severe issues with cracked tiles or crowns needing fixing before applying the spray-on product, consult a professional engineer who specializes specifically in fireplaces or chimneys.

How to Waterproof The Foundation of Your Chimney

Gain insights on six ways to waterproof your chimney foundation. Follow the guide below:

Excavate

When you want to waterproof the foundation of your chimney, you will need to excavate the soil. This will expose the foundation and allow you to apply the waterproofing material.

Build an adequate footing to support the chimney and its enclosure. Excavate around the preexisting structure. Remove any native earth or landfill over it. This is before installing new soil with an acceptable bearing capacity. Build on top of it to not only protect your home’s foundation but also future renovations for the need.

Lay out a strong enough base so as not to damage either one. This means taking time during construction. Mistakes could lead you down difficult paths without proper guidance from professionals. They know what they are doing.

Minor Repairs

As you may know, there are two types of chimneys: masonry and non-masonry. The difference lies in the material used to build them. Traditionally, bricks were often employed for more durable construction. Use other materials such as sand or concrete, when necessary, with minimal risk.

What is interesting though is how this affects weight. It might seem like all fireplaces would weigh about the same due to their size. They consist mostly of similar components. Some models are heavy that even your small ones will tip the scales around 10,000 pounds!

Hydraulic Cement

This is an excellent waterproofing material for foundations! Use often on concrete blocks, brick, and stone. This cement will fill in any cracks or voids and create a watertight seal. Also, use to repair damaged chimneys from water. Mix it with sand to create a thick paste and apply as a coating.

Mix with gravel after laying out the foundation. This will keep it in place and not allow any movement of the masonry over time. Apply your waterproofing material to seal up all openings and joints.

Have an expert review your project before starting on waterproofing the foundation of your chimney.

Bentonite

Mix bentonite clay and water in a bucket – both are half for the correct amount. You can apply it with a trowel or covering machine for larger projects requiring more than one application. This material will absorb water like a sponge. It works as a great temporary sealant to protect your foundation from further damage until you can fully waterproof it.

This method works best in areas with a history of severe weather! Prevent flooding and erosion from affecting your home. It serves a secondary function to eliminate water vapor after exiting the chimney when temperatures change. This benefits fireplace efficiency by ensuring that no moisture enters the firebox or smoke chamber.

Backfill

When waterproofing the foundation of your chimney, backfill the soil around it with approved drainage material. This will keep water from accumulating and seeping into the foundation. Place a layer of filter fabric over the drainage layer to prevent clogging. Use a perforated pipe for large projects to direct water away from the foundation.

Ensure that you maintain proper water levels. The drainage layer is one foot below the ground’s level at a minimum. You can extend this to two feet as desired. This benefits the future of your chimney foundation for repairs or renovations in being waterproofed.

Cleanup

As you are completing your project, remove all excess material. This includes the old soil that you excavated, and any leftover product not applied to the foundation. No one wants their house covered in the cement mixture. It will only take a day or two for the material to dry. This is a messy task, but it is worth it in the end.

Waterproofing your chimney’s foundation has many benefits that are important for both the short and long term. Taking the time to do it right will ensure that you and your family can enjoy your fireplace for many years to come!

Protect Your Chimney with Waterproofing

Masons are always on their toes, whether for a rough or smooth day. They must keep an eye out for any potential hazards that could ruin your masterpiece and put chimney service out of business at Christmas time! A clay brick’s pores absorb moisture from the outside world while retaining water inside. It can lead to expansion when cooled below freezing point temperature points during winter months and causes ice crystals.

Know this phenomenon as frost engraving onto bricks causing spalling cracks due to expansion damage. Mortar falls apart because its clastic properties transform into a slush-like consistency from the frost. Frosts jolt cause mortar pops and chips of bricks which result in more work for your mason.

Waterproofing Chimneys – FAQs

Below are some inquiries with their responses. Enlighten yourself with them:

How long does the waterproofing last?

Anywhere from three to 10 years. The frequency of reapplication depends on regional conditions and usage requirements for your chimney.

Waterproofing is not a one-size fit all solution. There are several factors to consider when deciding on how best to waterproof your home. Type and size of sealant or coating that you want for certain needs like being crack-resistant matter.

Cracks can exist in the foundation or basement walls at ground level. These are near doorways where water could seep through during rainstorms and so on. Every house has its set conditions which means that no two people have the same problem. But still, deserve quality solutions.

How is the waterproofing sealant applied?

Apply the sealant by brush, roller, or airless sprayer. You can also use a squeegee to ensure a good sealant service.

The construction and repair of concrete structures is an intricate process that requires specific knowledge. It is crucial to ensure the proper sealing of joints. Water can seep through the gap between each segment when left unchecked. This could lead not only ruin your structure but also cause serious health risks.

What are the top types of water damages to a chimney?

Water damage to a chimney can come from a variety of factors. These include weather conditions, improper waterproofing, and faulty chimney construction. Water can enter the chimney through the flue or the mortar joints. It can damage the fireplace, the chimney lining, and the roof.

The most common types of water damages to a chimney are flue leaks. In this case, the flue is the cause of the leak. The damage may come from cracks in brickwork or corrosion due to moisture and other harsh weather conditions. Water can seep through any crack and lead to further complications such as mold and mildew growth.

How can I tell if my chimney is leaking?

There are several ways to tell when your chimney is leaking. These include checking for water stains on the walls or ceiling, listening for a hissing noise coming from the chimney, and looking for damp patches near the chimney. When you suspect that your chimney is leaking, you should contact Pro-Tech Chimney mason for assistance.

When should I call a chimney professional?

You should call a chimney professional when you notice any of the following signs:

• Water stains on the walls or ceiling
• Hissing noise coming from the chimney
• Damp patches near the chimney
• Debris in the fireplace
• Smoke problems
• Mold and mildew growth

Call Pro-Tech Chimney to Schedule Your Waterproofing Maintenance 

Pro-Tech Chimney offers waterproofing maintenance services to help protect your chimney from water damage. We use the latest techniques and technologies to ensure a quality service.

When you are experiencing any of the symptoms of water damage, please contact Pro-Tech Chimney – Long Island Chimney Company today to schedule an appointment. We will inspect your chimney and recommend the best solution for your home!