With springtime just around the corner, it’s time to look forward to everything greening up! After being holed up during a cold winter, seeing the pale green buds on trees and smelling that fresh spring breeze is welcoming. The gentle spring showers wash away the mud left behind after the winter snows, as well. However, even though the rain is a welcome relief after the cold winter precipitation, it can have a damaging effect on your masonry chimney!
Signs of Damage
It’s really important that you know what signs to look for to see if your chimney has sustained water damage. One thing to look for is spalling. Look on the exterior of your chimney. If you see peeling, cracking, or flaking on or around your bricks and mortar, this is called spalling. This is also a good indication that your chimney has water damage. Examine the mortar for signs of crumbling, as this is another sign that precipitation has entered and caused damage.
Sometimes you can even notice signs of water damage inside your home. Is the wallpaper or paint on the walls by your fireplace are water-streaked or damaged? Does your ceiling next to the chimney look soft or saggy? If so, it may be caused by a leaky chimney. If these signs are present, it’s likely that repairs are going to be needed!
Why Damage Occurs
Even though your chimney seems pretty indestructible, it isn’t. The truth is that the blocks, bricks, and especially the mortar are susceptible to damage from precipitation. When precipitation, whether in the form of rain, sleet, or snow, gets into the cracks and pores of the bricks, blocks, or mortar, it settles there. When the temperature drops below freezing, that liquid freezes and expands, causing those cracks to get bigger. This is an ongoing process, and eventually you will begin to see signs of structural damage.
Chimney Protection
There are ways to protect your chimney. First of all, annual inspection and cleaning by a CSIA certified professional like those at Chimney Doctors of Colorado is extremely important. Besides doing a thorough exterior examination, Chimney Doctors of Colorado uses video equipment to examine the interior of your chimney. This helps look for any signs of water damage. They will be able to determine what needs to be done. In addition, know how to make any repairs necessary to bring your chimney back into tip-top shape.
According to the Chimney Safety Institute of America, waterproofing can protect your chimney from the damaging effects of the outdoor elements. It is, however, important that a waterproofing agent is used that will keep precipitation out while allowing water that is in your chimney to escape. Chimney Doctors of Colorado uses the best chimney waterproofing products available: ChimneySaver.
The experts at Chimney Doctors of Colorado are committed to giving you the best products, the best service, and the best chimney repairs you can find. Give them a call today for all your chimney care needs!