Why Waterproof My Chimney?

You know all of those cold nights you spend cuddled up in front of the fire? And all of those stormy nights you spend huddled in the basement? Well, guess where your chimney is on those nights? In the midst of it all!

Chimneys are exposed to the elements every single day, without reprieve. Although brick is designed to be durable and long-lasting, it is porous, and doesn’t stand a chance against the effects of long-term water penetration. When water enters brick, it causes lime-leaching, which is a process that removes the binding agent in brick and mortar, leaving gaps and holes in the chimney structure. In addition to lime-leaching, as temperatures rise and fall, water that has entered the brick goes through cycles of freezing and thawing. This process forces the water to constrict and expand over and over again, until the brick simply can’t take it. As a result of this freeze/thaw cycle, the brick deteriorates from the inside out, leaving the entire structure compromised.

To protect your chimney from the devastating effects of water penetration, it is important that you have a properly installed and maintained chimney crown, chimney cap, and flashing. We also highly recommend having your chimney waterproofed, as a safeguard.

What Does Waterproofing Entail?

When we waterproof your chimney, we use the best product out there: ChimneySaver. ChimneySaver is a water-repellant that was designed with extreme weather in mind. It was created specifically for use on chimneys and is your chimney’s best protection against the elements. One of the biggest and most defining differences between ChimneySaver and other products you may find in your local hardware store is that ChimneySaver is NOT a completely waterproof product. This is very important because, although you may think you need to use a completely waterproof product, you actually do harm to your chimney when you do.

Brick is porous and needs to breathe. That is partially why it such a great material for chimneys and fireplaces: it allows heat, smoke, and water vapor to escape and exit the home. However, when you apply a layer of silicone-based, waterproofing product to the surface of your brick, you are actually trapping smoke, heat, and water-vapor in the brick that would otherwise seep out. This will lead to internal water-damage and brick deterioration. If you have applied a product like this, you may have actually done more harm than good.

ChimneySaver, on the other hand, actually bonds to the brick and mortar beneath the surface as it is absorbed by the brick. It is chemically designed to allow air and water vapor to pass through, but this breathable material does not allow water molecules to pass through because of their size. ChimneySaver water-repellent comes with a ten-year warranty, and offers as much as ten times the protection of typical waterproofing products in just one application!

As wonderful as ChimneySaver water-repellent is, it is not a substitute for quality workmanship. Before applying the product, it is important to have all necessary repairs made to protect you from problems in the future. When you have Chimney Care Company on the job, you can be sure your chimney is free of structural problems, and that all parts of your chimney are working properly and safely.

Call Us Today!

For more information on our waterproofing services, or to schedule your appointment, please call us at 513-248-9600, or click here!

Whatever the source of your chimney leak, at The Chimney Care Company, we can perform this type of chimney repair with quality, dependable skill.