You would think that a structure, which manages to withstand hours of burning fires, could handle a little bit of rain. Although there is some truth to this statement, consider that this structure is exposed to the weather around the clock, day after day. Before long, small chimney repair opportunities develop. Since they are frequently near the roof line, you are unlikely to notice them until more serious damage is done.
Symptoms of Chimney Deterioration Caused by Water
Keep an eye on your chimney as well as surrounding areas. Specifically, there are three telltale symptoms to look out for.
- Rust around the damper or fireplace door setup. Where there is rust, there must be water. Assuming that you do not live in a high-humidity environment, this water most likely comes from rain that is leaking into the chimney.
- Water stains on ceilings. If the ceiling near the chimney shows water stains, there is a good chance that the mortar or other material designed to waterproof the area has failed.
- Crumbling chimney structure. After the next rainstorm, go outside and look for little bits and pieces of mortar near the wall that is closest to your chimney. Finding it is a bad sign. The same is true for small bricks or pieces of bricks.
Remember when we mentioned that a chimney cap will keep out a variety of local fauna? Well, these caps also keep out rainwater. If you do not have a capped flue, the latter acts as a funnel that sends rainwater straight down into your chimney. The same is true for snow. Since the cap is a piece of equipment that offers so many benefits, we strongly urge the installation of one of these attractive pieces.
Of course, first it is time for a chimney repair appointment. Invite a technician to visit your home and find out whether we need to replace the flashing, install a cricket or rebuilt the exterior structure to get rid of crumbling bits and pieces.
We recommend you give your local chimney repair in Long Island NY a call with any questions you may have!
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