Myths About Waterproofing Chimneys

Water intrusion is the most problematic situation when it comes to chimneys. Your chimney is exposed to the elements 365 days of the year. The hot summer sun beats down on the masonry, drying it out. Summer storms come crashing against your chimney, causing chipping and damage to the masonry. Winter storms are just as brutal. Snow, rain, ice, and wind can cause damage. The freeze-thaw effect is detrimental to the overall longevity and integrity of the chimney. With storms, whether they are in the summer or winter, water is prominent. Protecting your chimney against water is an important part of maintaining a healthy chimney.

Many homeowners overlook the benefits of waterproofing. They don’t completely trust everything that is out there on the subject. Many myths have been eliminated regarding the benefits of waterproofing.

Let Us Discuss the Benefits of Waterproofing and The Myths That Have Circulated.

My chimney looks great and functions well without waterproofing, why now? Chimneys don’t last forever. Once you reach the 10-year mark, your chimney has seen its better days. You may not see the damage, but small cracks may be seen up close at the top of your chimney. Water gets into these small cracks. In winter, they freeze, expanding that small crack into a larger one. You make the choice: pay a little now or leave it until you have a costly repair on your hands.

I have a chimney cap; water isn’t getting into my chimney. A chimney cap sits on the top of the chimney. It protects the top of the chimney. Bricks are very porous. Water is absorbed like a sponge. If you want your chimney protected from top to bottom, more protection is needed.

My chimney is lined, so I don’t have to worry about the bricks. You don’t want your liner standing alone without the protection of the brick chimney. Water entering through cracks in the brick can cause erosion to the liner. The integrity of the chimney needs to be protected; it plays an important part in protecting the liner, home, and fireplace.

Bricks need to breathe. No need to waterproof them. There are specific products used when waterproofing masonry and bricks. Yes, bricks do need to breathe, but they also need to be protected from water entering and causing damage.

My chimney looks great. There is no need to do anything to it. Have you seen evidence of water? The white efflorescence is from salt products in the bricks. Once the bricks are wet, a white chalky substance is seen on the bricks. Water brings growth as well. Moss can form within these cracks, they root and cause larger cracks. 

Contact the Chimney Experts

Waterproofing can be beneficial in so many ways. Contact Chimney Solutions to learn more about the benefits of waterproofing your chimney.

Chimney Solutions strives to bring the highest level of professional and technical expertise to our service area. The rewards of protecting property and life, as well as health and safety, as well as the education of ourselves, our customers, and others, fuel our quest for excellence. Though we offer premium brand-name chimney supplies, we also have our very own metal shop for custom-made caps and shrouds.