Be Aware of Chimney Water Problems
By dror klar
If we think about the durability of a masonry chimney, you likely think that they are created with these materials to endure for a lot of years, and they are. What most people might not know is that most chimneys will be susceptible to all kinds of water damage. The chimney is frequently the most prominent appendage on our roof top. It is always planted up there well above the other things. Over the years our masonry chimneys are exposed to wind, rain, sleet, and humidity. Frequent freezing and thawing might make brick work decline quickly because when the bricks are wet and they freeze, they expand and this can cause their structure to be affected. Any of these weather conditions will create some decline, especially if proper inspections and maintenance are not done soon enough.
The chimney also has metal parts like steel and cast iron too, that could be harmed with time by getting wet frequently. The metal parts can rust and cause more leaking and even more devastation. If the water problem is too severe it can rot the roof wood that it has prolonged contact with. Doing repairs like this can become costly.
Here are several ways that brick chimney water damage might be avoided. One way to accomplish this is by installing a chimney cap if the chimney does not have one. Some older houses might not have one. Chimney caps can be relatively inexpensive and are not that hard to install. A good chimney cap will serve more purposes other than preventing water from getting into your flues. They will also help keep sparks from floating up through the chimney and landing on your housetop and will discourage help prevent small animals and birds from putting their nest inside your chimney.
A chimney crown seals and covers the top area of a chimney from the flue liners to the chimney edge. This chimney crown is usually made from the same mortar as the bricks masonry and is easily deteriorated due to years of subjection to weather. After a chimney cap is damaged, it will gradually allow water in. When a chimney crown is flaking, cracked, or chipped it is best to have it repaired or replaced.
Reinstalling compromised flashing can be easily fixed. Flashing is a metal lining below the housetop shingles around the chimney and prevents water from coming in around this area.
Finally, waterproof the chimneys masonry. This is a simple job and will prevent the water absorbent masonry from soaking up large amounts of water.
About the author
Dror Klar is a writer and promoter of quality Charlotte
water damage restoration and Chicago water damage restoration companies. from http://www.FreeArticlesAndContent.com
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