Leaks are never fun and always worrisome. But chimney leaks add in the extra aggravation of being notoriously hard to trace back to their original source. Oftentimes, the first clue is water seeping through a wall or accumulating in the fireplace. This homeowner horror is often the result of time and weather damage. Erosion, temperature etc. may have led to the chimney mortar cracking. Wind and rain may have damaged some of the roofing shingles. If the problem turns out to be roofing-material-specific you may be able to get out from under the problem owing less than a thousand. But if the issue is with the chimney’s brick and mortar you almost certainly will not. Chimney pros attest that the problem is often with the chimney’s mud cap, mortar joints or flashing. In any case, wherever the water is getting in from it must be located precisely, and therein lies the rub. The teeniest hole can lead to a small interior gusher. You will need a clear day to literally get on the roof and check the area inch by inch. Two people is the way to go. Have a communication device per person. Walkies or mobiles work. Use clear plastic to cover the area. Use a hoses with twist nozzles to run water and check for resulting leaks. Obviously someone must be stationed inside.
Key Takeaways:
- Chimney leaks are extremely worrisome, because they are notoriously difficult to find. Water often seeps through a wall.
- A fireplace leak can also lead to water seepage appearing in your fireplace area.
- The reason could be cracked, or loosened mortar. It could be sourced to shingle damage.
“The first step in your repair is identifying where the leak is coming from, then you’ll be able to make the appropriate fix. If you find the problem is with the brick or mortar, the average cost for masonry repairs is $1,192.”
Read more: https://www.improvenet.com/a/diy-how-to-find-and-repair-chimney-leaks
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