What Water Can Do to Your Chimney

by | Jul 28, 2017 | Chimney Leaks

Though you use your chimney most in the cold months, it may be damaged and can affect your home year-round. For instance, a damaged damper can cause you to lose valuable cold air out of the chimney opening during the hottest parts of summer. A missing or damaged chimney cap can allow water, animals, and debris into your chimney throughout the year. All of these things can lead to damage, lower efficiency, and fire risk. The most detrimental intruder to your chimney system is water, and we have ways you can avoid this water damage.What Water Can Do to Your Chimney - Amarillo TX - West Texas Chimney

The Problem with Water

Masonry is made up of many materials that are adversely affected by moisture. Your chimney’s job and life are affected by water, but water penetration is a common occurrence.

  • Water Causes Rust and Deterioration
    Water can rust and deteriorate important parts of your chimney including the damper assembly, firebox assembly, fireplace doors, and flue liners.
  • Water Ruins Walls, Floors, and Ceilings
    Water runs through the hidden structure of homes, causing leaks several feat or rooms away from the chimney. Water damage can cause floors, walls, and ceilings to become damaged, moldy, and weakened.
  • Water Cracks and Ruins Masonry
    Through the winter months, water penetrates the masonry and freezes, expanding, and then melts when the chimney warms up. The water penetrates deeper into the masonry, repeating the process until the bricks and mortar are subject to serious damage.
  • Water Leads to Stains, Odors, and Mold
    During the summer, you don’t have to worry about the freeze/thaw cycle that can affect your chimney, but the warm weather is the perfect way for bacteria to thrive in a wet and dirty chimney. Water in the chimney and firebox can lead to stains as well as mold and mildew that can affect the respiratory health of your family. The moisture can also lead to pungent odors that can only be resolved by a chimney sweep and repairs to stop reoccurrence.

Common Chimney Leak Repairs

At West Texas Chimney and Venting Solutions, we specialize in chimney repair. We don’t just repair the damage, but we find the source, and repair that too. We repair chimney crowns, masonry, and flashing with the expertise and professionalism that makes us Amarillo’s choice for chimney maintenance and repair.

What We Can Do for Your Leaky Chimney

For more information about water and your masonry chimney, click here. You can also contact a West Texas Chimney and Venting Solutions professional today by calling (806) 358-0817 or contacting us online. If you have a chimney leak today, don’t wait until tomorrow!