It’s been a long, cold winter in Colorado, and if you’ve kept up with your annual chimney and fireplace inspections, you’ve enjoyed every minute of using your fireplace. Keeping up with those yearly sweepings helps Masonry Chimney Waterproofing and Flashing - Conifer CO - Chimney Doctors of Coloradoyou feel secure in knowing that you won’t be having any accidental chimney fires. Your annual inspections also help you to make sure that there is no damage to your fireplace and chimney system, the damage that might be letting smoke and chemicals back into your home. Now that spring is just around the corner, you need to start to think about getting that inspection and cleaning on the schedule. Scheduling early offers several advantages, including having the opportunity to schedule according to your convenience rather than having to fit it in at the end of the summer. It can also keep your chimney from transmitting a nasty odor into your house all winter long. And if we discover areas that need repair, summer is the best time to get those repairs fixed.

Water Damage

One of the big things that the pros at Chimney Doctors of Colorado will be looking for when we come in and do an inspection is water damage. We’ll look over the structure of your chimney, making sure that the bricks and mortar are in great shape. If the mortar seems weak or crumbly, we might suggest that we tuckpoint, which means taking out the old, deteriorating mortar and replacing it with fresh, new mortar that matches the existing mortar of your chimney. We’ll also be looking for areas that might be causing leaks, such as a cracked chimney crown or a rusted, twisted chimney cap. If either of these things is in bad shape, you may be experiencing leaks. If you have chimney leaks, it can cause your mortar to decay. It can also cause rusted damper assembly, rusted fireplace accessories, water-stained walls and ceilings in the room by your fireplace.

How To Prevent Water Damage

If we find areas in your chimney that are causing leaks to occur, we’ll do whatever it takes to fix those spots. Because our professionals are Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) certified, and also certified through the National Fireplace Institute (NFI), we have the latest in all the technology and techniques which we can use in order to make sure everything is repaired correctly so that you don’t have to worry about leaks anymore. After we get the leaks fixed, though, we might recommend that you have your chimney waterproofed. Although this might sound like a simple project, it is one best left to the professionals.

It’s not too difficult to coat your chimney with a waterproofing solution. The problem is, though, that although keeping water out of the bricks and mortar isn’t too tough, there is moisture that is left on the inside of the bricks and mortar, hidden in the pores, can’t be allowed to remain in. If you use the wrong product, that moisture will be trapped inside. That’s why at Chimney Doctors of Colorado, we use ChimneySaver. This water repellent not only keeps water out of your bricks and mortar, but it also allows the water that’s already trapped inside the bricks to evaporate out. Many other products keep the moisture trapped inside, and it can cause damage and deterioration to occur. This will help protect your chimney from the freeze/thaw cycle, and will also protect your chimney from efflorescence and spalling, staining and discoloration. Not only that, ChimneySaver won’t leave a glossy shine on the surface of your chimney but instead will leave your chimney looking natural and beautiful. Our expert crew can take care of the application process, saving you the time and mess of doing the job right.

Another thing that we’ll be looking at is the condition of your flashing. If you look up at your chimney, you’ll see that there are metal strips around the base of it. It makes sense that the joint where the chimney meets the roof is particularly susceptible to leakage. The flashing, those metal strips, are layered in a way that redirects the water away from the juncture, onto the roof, and down to the gutters, where it can be directed onto the lawn. If that flashing is torn or rusted, it isn’t doing the job it is designed to do. We’ll make sure that your flashing is secure or replace it as is necessary.

We’ll Take Care Of Your Leaks

If you live in Colorado, you know how to enjoy a cold, snowy winter. It’s important that you keep your fireplace in great shape through annual cleanings and inspections so that next winter you can snuggle up in front of a snapping, crackling fire after a long day of working or playing in the snow. All it takes is a call to Chimney Doctors of Colorado to set up an appointment. We’ll make sure that any leaks are repaired and then waterproof your chimney so that you can enjoy those times worry-free!