Fluesbrothers of Kansas City repairs leaky chimneys in Liberty, MO, Lees Summit, MO, Gladstone, MO, Parkville, MO, Belton, MO, Raymore, MO, and throughout the greater Kansas City, KS/Kansas City, MO region.
A leaky chimney is nothing to take lightly. If you’ve noticed signs of leaks, it means you have a problem that’s not going to go away. Signs of a leaky chimney include:
- Water dripping into the firebox
- Strong, foul odors coming from the fireplace
- Discoloration of your home’s interior walls
- White staining on the exterior masonry of the chimney
Our expert chimney technicians are certified by the National Fireplace Institute and the Chimney Safety Institute of America and have demonstrated the hands-on skill and technical knowledge needed to tackle any chimney leak issue and resolve it quickly before further damage occurs.
Why Is My Chimney Leaking?
This is a common question, and there are several possible answers. Here are the reasons for a leaky chimney we encounter most often.
No Chimney Cap/Damaged Chimney Cap
Fortunately, this is an easy one to fix. A chimney cap acts as a top shield over the opening of your flue to keep out water from rain and melting snow. If there is no cap, water has an open path to seep into the internal chimney structure, where it will begin to cause damage to bricks and mortar. If you don’t have a chimney cap, we can install one for you. If your chimney cap is damaged, in many cases we can repair it.
Damaged or Missing Flashing
Chimney flashing material creates a seal over the gap where the chimney meets the roof. When flashing becomes warped or decomposed because of rust, it allows rainwater and melting snow into the attic and other parts of the home. This can lead to building material damage, mold growth and a gradual eroding of bricks and mortar. Our chimney specialists can repair or replace flashing to prevent these problems.
Wrong-sized Chimney Liner/No Chimney Liner
Chimney liners can be made of stainless steel, clay tiles or cast-in-place mortar. Their purpose is to protect the chimney’s interior masonry from the intense heat and moisture that happens when fires burn. An incorrectly sized liner will not offer the required protection. If there’s no liner at all, your chimney is at great risk of damage and possibly a chimney fire. We’ll inspect your chimney liner and either repair it or, if it’s the wrong size, recommend a replacement. We install new chimney liners in all types of chimneys.
Masonry Damage/Brick and Mortar Issues
The bricks and mortar of your chimney can become damaged by years of severe weather events, house-settling and general old age. Cracks in bricks and mortar joints are another common cause of chimney leaks. If the damage is minor, we can seal-coat the masonry to prevent further water infiltration. In other cases, we may perform tuckpointing to replace missing sections of masonry. If damage is severe, we can partially or completely rebuild your chimney.
Cracks in the Chimney Crown
The cement chimney crown that covers most of the top of the chimney is a solid safeguard against water getting into the bricks and into the flue. Crowns may begin showing small cracks after years of use. When this happens, water can infiltrate the cracks and freeze and expand, causing larger cracks. In some cases, our chimney technicians can apply a waterproof coating to prevent water seepage into the crown; in other cases, we may need to partially or completely rebuild the crown.
You don’t have to live with a leaky chimney. With prompt chimney repair work, you can restore your chimney and keep more extensive damage from occurring down the line. Fluesbrothers serves the entire Kansas City, KS/Kansas City, MO, region with a full line of expert chimney repair services. Call us today at (913) 236-7141.