Problems From a Damp Chimney
It may start out as a nuisance, but if your chimney is wet, it may quickly lead to a host of further issues for you and your property. If you are aware of the warning signals to look out for, you can put a stop to these problems before they get more severe. Every person who owns a fireplace should make it a priority to educate themselves on how moisture interacts with chimneys and how to locate the cause of the problem. During the colder months of the year, fireplaces are wonderful features to have in one’s home. Even the most boring spaces may be given personality with the addition of a fireplace. It is of the utmost importance to ensure that both your fireplace and chimney are in good working order.
Creosote buildup, chimney fires, and fractures in the foundation are all potential problems that might arise when a chimney is not maintained properly. These can cause extra harm to the interior of the building since moisture is able to penetrate it. The persistent infiltration of moisture might give rise to what a lot of people refer to as a wet chimney.
Symptoms of a Chimney That Is Too Damp
On the interior, common signs of a wet chimney will present themselves. Even if obvious problems like a stack that collapses might occur, the majority of the time you will notice other, smaller problems first. Some of the symptoms of a wet chimney are quite similar to those of a recurring leak in the roof or wall. The only location where moisture will be present in a damp chimney is around the fireplace and chimney breast.
The presence of rising markings on the walls, in addition to yellow or brown stains, is a good sign that there is a leak. During periods of inclement weather, such as rain, it’s possible that more moist spots and peeling paint will become more noticeable. These indicators are frequently visible on numerous levels, including the attic, because the chimney travels through the structure. Even while these warning indicators might not appear too serious at first glance, ignoring them could ultimately lead to significant structural issues.
Moisture Damage
Water has the ability to squeeze through spaces as narrow as a human hair. It has the ability to gently erode even the most sturdy materials by penetrating deep into their foundations. This is hardly more obvious elsewhere than it is with chimneys made of brick and mortar. If moisture continues to gently brush past a crack, the crack may eventually develop worse. The brick will begin to deteriorate in a manner that is comparable to that of a rock that has been left in a river.
The extent of the harm isn’t always readily apparent. Brick structures that have moisture seeping into them might experience expansion during the colder months of the year. This growth places extra strain on the mortar, which results in the formation of more fractures. If a chimney is exposed to a sufficient amount of moisture, the components that hold it together may deteriorate, leading to its collapse.
Rain that penetrates a chimney and finds its way inside might cause an even more serious problem. Creosote and water can react in a flue in a way that is hazardous to one’s health. This poisonous chemical is particularly acidic, and prolonged exposure to it can cause new fractures to appear throughout the interior of the chimney. As was indicated before, one of the first symptoms that there has been damage caused by moisture is visible on the inside. Mold and wall damage are subject to a significant number of the same fundamental considerations as are involved with roof damage. If this moisture damage is neglected for a sufficient amount of time, it can become a severe safety hazard, which can only be rectified by construction.
If you suspect that your chimney or fireplace is having some issues, have an expert inspect it. Call Local Chimney Sweep Cleaning today. We also offer Chimney Cleaning Rescue and other affordable services.