Waterproofing Your Chimney

Nothing beats the cozy atmosphere gained when a fireplace is added to a home. Sitting around a crackling fire with loved ones is one of the best feelings, especially when the weather outside is cold and dreary. Yet, owning a fireplace requires a lot of responsibility, and it is important to stay educated on what type of regular maintenance is required. Ensuring that all parts of the chimney and fireplace are up to code and working properly will allow it to run longer and more efficiently. It will also help you rest easy knowing that your family will remain safe when the fireplace is in use.

Potential Water Damage

Your chimney is going to face a lot of wear and tear, so it is up to you to ensure that it can outlast any type of bad weather or outside threat. One of the best things you can do for your chimney is have it waterproofed. There are many negative effects when your chimney is exposed to excess water. Check out just a few of these below.

• Freeze/Thaw Process: Many people are unaware of how absorbent brick is. When heavy rains fall on your chimney, the brick sucks in a lot of water, which then freezes and expands in the wintertime. Once temperatures rise again in the spring, the water in the brick melts, putting a lot of extra pressure on the chimney as a whole. This could eventually lead to a chimney settlement or, even worse, an entire chimney collapse.
• Rust And Decay: One of the fastest ways to cause deterioration on a chimney is by exposing it to too much moisture. The various parts that make up a chimney and help it function suffer immensely when they are not properly protected. If the metal components rust, the mortar becomes weak, and cracks start to form, your chimney health will sink dramatically and it will quickly become unable to function efficiently for your home.
• Stains and Cracks: As mentioned previously, cracks in a chimney are never a good sign. If you see a crack starting to form, getting it fixed as quickly as possible is vital in maintaining proper chimney care. Cracks and stains are unsightly and are a sign that more issues are on the way. If you see either of these throughout your chimney, then be sure to schedule an inspection right away so that preventative measures can be taken to avoid further damage.

At A-1 Chimney Specialist we care about you and your home, and we work hard to ensure that all of our customers feel protected. We have a variety of options when it comes to waterproofing and we are more than willing to work with whatever your chimney needs are. Give us a call today to schedule an appointment, then rest easy knowing your chimney and fireplace are in the best hands possible. We look forward to working with you!