Why Chimney Waterproofing is Crucial 

Nearly year-round, day in and day out, your chimney is exposed to the sun’s harsh rays. Long-term exposure to the sun will bake the bricks in your chimney. Baking bricks make them more porous, much in the same way a sponge is porous, and it will absorb all the moisture they come into contact with, regardless of whether it’s rain, snow, or fog. This fact is why chimney waterproofing is crucial. Read on to find out other crucial reasons why you should have your chimney waterproofed.

3 Reasons to Have Your Chimney Waterproofed

Water Damage

Water damage and a leaky chimney is the most obvious reason to have your chimney waterproofed. When water infiltrates the bricks in your masonry chimney, it means that they will expand and contract over and over due to the freeze-thaw cycle. Like bending a piece of wire back and forth, the bricks will begin to break down from the expansion and contraction. This action can lead to things like spalling bricks or even the full collapse of your chimney.

Chimney Fires

If your chimney starts to break down, it can lead to structural damage that can impede proper airflow out of your chimney. When you burn logs, a highly flammable substance called creosote is produced. If there is poor ventilation out of your chimney, then creosote can coat your chimney walls. If a hot ember floats up and there is enough creosote, it is almost certain that your chimney will have a fire at some juncture. 

Extending Your Chimney’s Life

It’s a straightforward concept: if your chimney is waterproofed, it won’t absorb water and will last years longer than it would without it. It will also save you costly repair bills in the future.

How Does Chimney Waterproofing Work?

There are a few simple steps to having a professional chimney sweep service waterproof your chimney. Before any waterproofing can be done, the chimney sweeps will inspect the chimney for any damage, and if they find any, they will repair it prior to the waterproofing. Let’s briefly take a look at the waterproofing process.

Cleaning the Chimney

Any dirt, debris, or moss will be removed from your chimney; it may involve pressure washing in more extreme cases. Once the chimney is cleaned, it will allow the chimney sweeps to inspect your chimney and make it ready for the waterproof sealant.

Inspecting the Chimney

As we stated, the chimney sweeps will inspect the chimney for damage.

Repairing Chimney Damage

If the chimney sweeps locate damage, they will fix it.

Application of Waterproof Sealant

After any required repairs are made, the next step is to apply the waterproof sealant to your chimney. It will be a breathable seal designed specifically for chimneys. The sealant will allow moisture from inside your chimney’s bricks to escape while preventing moisture from the outside from penetrating the bricks. The chimney sweeps will have special tools for applying the waterproof sealant, such as sprayers and brushes. Once the sealant has been applied, it will need time to cure. After that, all that is required is for you to have your chimney inspected at least once a year by a qualified chimney sweep service.

To Sum Up

So, now you know why chimney waterproofing is crucial. The bottom line is that you will save both money and inconvenience in the long run.

Chimney Solutions is the Waterproofing Expert

If you live in the greater Indianapolis, Northfield, Zionsville, Carmel, Noblesville, Fishers, Lawrence, Westfield, Avon, McCordsville, or Brownsburg areas and want your chimney waterproofed, give us a call at 317-757-6979 or fill out our contact form. A chimney specialist will be in touch to discuss waterproofing your chimney and adding years to its lifespan.