·Chimney
Why Is My Chimney Leaking? The 4 Most Common Causes
If you see water stains around your fireplace, the chimney is the prime suspect. Here are the four issues that account for nearly every leak we diagnose.
Water stains on the wall or ceiling near your fireplace almost always trace back to the chimney itself. The good news: 90% of chimney leaks come down to four causes, all of which are repairable without rebuilding the whole structure.
Cracked chimney crown. The crown is the concrete cap on top of your chimney. Freeze-thaw cycles crack it over time, and water pours straight down inside. Crown repair or replacement solves this for good.
Failed flashing. The metal flashing where the chimney meets the roof is sealed with caulk that dries out and pulls away from the masonry. Re-flashing properly with step flashing and counter flashing eliminates this leak source.
Deteriorated mortar joints. Old mortar develops cracks and gaps that wick water into the chimney. Tuckpointing replaces the failing mortar with new joint material.
Missing or damaged chimney cap. The cap keeps rain, snow, and debris out of the flue. A damaged or missing cap allows water straight into the chimney interior.
Most chimney leaks are repaired in a single day. Call us for a free inspection — we'll diagnose the cause with photos and walk you through the fix.
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