Many Chimney Leaks are from Cracks in the Chimney Crown
During the colder months, there is nothing quite like the coziness and comfort that comes from sitting by a fire. When you are performing maintenance on your chimney, you could run into issues like chimney leaks. Leaks in chimneys are a typical problem, and there are a variety of reasons why your chimney can have a problem with leaking.
It is essential to spot any leaks in the chimney as soon as possible so that the problem does not compound into a more serious issue later on. In this section, we will discuss some of the most typical reasons for chimney leaks, as well as the solutions to these problems, so that you may use your fireplace comfortably throughout the fall and winter seasons.
The cement piece that sits atop a chimney is referred to as the chimney crown or splay. The bricks are stacked on top of the tile flue liners as they are built up, but at the very top there has to be something to prevent precipitation from just dropping in around the tiles. It is clear that the chimney crown’s primary function is to shield the opening from precipitation. The structure of the chimney may move with time, leading to shrinkage, which can result in cracks in the crown of the chimney. These cracks might date back to the first day the crown was installed. When there are fractures in your crown, the water will simply pass straight through those cracks.
The severity of the damage dictates the method that must be used to repair a fractured crown. The majority of crowns have minute fractures. Because even the smallest cracks sprang from smaller ones in the beginning, even the smallest ones need to be repaired. The cycle of water freezing and thawing in the cracks over the course of the whole winter, year after year, gradually causes the little fissures to expand into larger ones. There are a number of great crown coating products available, such as Chimney Saver Crown Coat, which can cover the stonework and stop minor fractures from developing into a significant issue.
Once the damage to the chimney crown has reached a certain point, however, the only solution is to remove the brickwork and then relay it. You cannot expect a chimney that has suffered structural damage to function well or last for a long time even if you cover it with a crown coat. It is in your best interest to apply a layer of Crown Coat now in order to prevent a significant amount of difficulty and cost in the future.
You Do Not Have a Cap on the Top of Your Chimney
If there is nothing covering the top of the chimney, this is one of the most significant factors that contributes to chimney leaks. Your chimney does not have any means of protection against the infiltration of precipitation since it does not have a chase cover, crown, cap, or damper. If your chimney does not have a cover, not only is there a risk of moisture getting in, but also birds and other animals will be able to freely enter your property. A cover for the chimney is something that should really be done. In addition, smoke might seep back into your house if the chimney becomes obstructed due to accumulations of moisture and other debris. We are all aware of how dangerously rapidly smoke and carbon monoxide can take over a home. This is a very real possibility.
Contact us if you need any chimney cover from the specialists at Local Chimney Sweep Cleaning to stop the leaks in your chimney. Whether you need a chase cover, crown, or damper, we can provide it. We also provide other excellent services such as Chimney Cleaning Avery and repairing.