Top 5 Causes of Chimney Leaks

With the rainy spring weather we’ve been having, have you heard or seen water dripping down your fireplace? Or, maybe you’ve seen a water spot on the ceiling or wall by your fireplace? These are warning signs of a possible chimney leak that can cause serious damage to your home.

The top five reasons for a chimney leak are:

1. No Chimney Cover
   Your chimney doesn’t have a cover to keep the rain out. Instead it just falls straight down your flue. Water contact can cause chimney materials, like brick, concrete, tile and metal, to deteriorate, leading to exterior and interior leaks.
2. Chimney Crown Cracks
   The chimney crown is the top cement/concrete surface on a masonry chimney. Cracks can occur in the crown due to structural shifts in the chimney and from cement or concrete shrinkage when it was originally installed. Once a crack occurs, the repeated freezing and thawing of water in the crack can cause it to expand, allowing water to seep inside the home.
3. Water condensation
   Fumes from a gas fireplace have moisture in them, which can cause condensation to form inside the flue that soaks into the bricks, keeping them moist. Additionally, during the summer, condensation can form inside your flue when cool air-conditioned air combines with the warm air outside.
4. Chimney Flashing Problems
   During construction, chimney flashing (typically made of an aluminum material) and waterproof tar seal the space between the chimney’s structure and the roof. Over time, leaks can occur when the flashing or tar wears away.
5. Mortar and Brick Cracks
   Mortar and bricks can absorb water, as well as develop cracks due to freezing and thawing, which can lead to leaks. Also, if your chimney is located on a shady side of the house, the bricks and mortar can stay wet, never drying out. Eventually, soggy bricks can cause water to seep into your home.

A leaking chimney can cause thousands of dollars of water damage to your home, including saturated insulation, warped walls, mold growth and possible destruction of electronics equipment located above your fireplace. Therefore, if you think your chimney is leaking, contact TJ’s Chimney Service, located in Greenfield, IN, at 317-462-4759. Our professionals can inspect your chimney and make any necessary repairs, as well as waterproof your chimney to guard
against future problems. Call us today!