Guide On How To Fix A Leaking Chimney

A leaky chimney is not only harmful to your ceiling, it also puts you at the risk of developing respiratory problems due to growth of mold and mildew. To avoid this you should undertake leaky chimney repair as soon as possible.

How To Repair A Leaky Chimney

It’s usually challenging to identify the exact area where the chimney is leaking; therefore, you need to be very cautious. You should carefully check all the areas both inside and outside your house. The most common cause of the leak is the chimney cap. You should find if the cap has any cracks.

If the leaks are coming from the chimney cap you can coat the top surface of the cap with a waterproofing agent or remove the old cap and replace it with new materials. Another option of correcting the problem is fabricating a copper cap to fit the existing cap. If planning of installing the copper cap you should first coat the existing cap with a sheet-applied membrane.

In addition to the chimney cap, you also need to pay attention to the chimney flashing—the area where the brick joins the roof. You should inspect the flashing and ensure that it isn’t loose or hanging off the brick. A normal flashing should be properly secured to the roof and should be covered with shingles.

To repair chimney flashing, you should nail, caulk and tar the flashing back into place.

If you can’t identify where the leaks are coming from, you should consider coating all the exposed masonry surfaces on your masonry chimney with a clear waterproofing sealer. For ideal results you should apply two coats. Before you apply the second coat you should let the first coat dry. When buying the sealer you should ensure that you buy it from brick supply vendors.

Conclusion

These are tips on how to repair a leaking chimney. If you have inspected your chimney and fixed the problematic areas and still there are leaks, you should consider hiring a chimney contractor to help you in professional inspection of your chimney. The contractor will also help you in sealing the leaks.

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