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Ashbusters Chimney: The Truth About Chimney Leaks
Bad days seem to hit harder in the colder fall and winter months. Whether you’re late for work or spilled your coffee in the car, sometimes the only thing getting you through the terrors of any given day is knowing that a nice cozy fire waits for you at the end of it. That is, until you discover that your chimney must’ve sprouted a leak and you now have to find an alternative way to wind down.
While the bad news is that we can’t help in the immediate time of need, the good news is that the team here at Ashbusters Chimney Service is just a phone call away. Well known and highly respected throughout Central Tennessee, Ashbusters is your one-stop shop for all things hearth, home heating, and venting.
To schedule your appointment or learn more about Ashbusters, get in touch with us! You can fill out this appointment request form through our website, or give us a call at 615-459-2546. We’d love to learn what we can do for you, so you can continue to enjoy your fireplace the way it was intended.
Here’s Why Moisture Exposure Wreaks Havoc on Chimneys
Moisture is one of your fireplace’s worst enemies here in Tennessee. Anyone that says otherwise is just not telling you the truth. A leaking chimney is one that is deteriorating in front of your eyes and repairing it must not be put off. If you do delay, you may need extensive masonry work on your chimney – and even on your fireplace.
Though the flood of 2010 was unusual, we all know that Nashville gets a lot of rain throughout the year and those cold rainy winters are tough on your chimney. This is because most chimneys are constructed with brick (a porous material) and held together by mortar (a water soluble material). Meanwhile, the inside of the chimney is composed of metal – a material that’s highly susceptible to rust.
Now that you know what your chimney is made of and how it’s put together, you can understand why the recurring exposure to moisture severely compromises a chimney’s performance as well as its structural integrity. Water is notorious for causing damage…especially that which you cannot see. It’s this hidden damage from moisture that can cause chimneys to crack, seep, and even fall down altogether. This is especially true after a major event such as a lightning strike or tornado where unknown weaknesses that have gone unnoticed become clearly (and expensively) revealed. Just take a look at our Chimneys Gone Wild!
What Chimney Leak Repair Services Does Ashbusters Chimney Service Provide?
Well, fortunately, because we are a full service chimney provider, we know all the nooks and crannies that tend to cause issues when it comes to a leaky chimney – which means that we also offer a range of services and solutions to combat them:
- Flashing Repair: Did you know that missing or damaged flashing is often a culprit in causing chimney leaks? Those shingle-like pieces of sheet metal do a great deal in protecting the juncture where your roof meets your chimney – and when flashing is not installed or maintained properly, more than just your chimney could be at risk. The talented technicians at Ashbusters can remove the old corroded materials and install ones which will last longer.
- Crown Repair: For those with traditional brick chimneys, the crown is kind of like a second layer of defense against water intrusion below the chimney cap. We’ve seen it all too often: a crown constructed of the wrong materials that eventually gives way to cracks and crumbles. Water is relentless and, without adequate protection, can easily seep into exposed cracks and crevices. Our pros have the training, equipment, and experience to build a proper and long-lasting chimney crown.
- Chase Cover Replacement: Where a chimney crown protects the otherwise open chase cavity surrounding the flue on a masonry chimney, a chase cover (sometimes called a chase top) does the same for prefabricated models. Usually made of metal, chase covers can corrode and rust over time. Naturally, when this happens water starts to erode the structure from the inside out. The good news is that Ashbusters has a variety of high-quality chase covers to choose from that will protect your system for years to come.
- Chimney Cap Replacement: Perhaps one of the most important external elements of a chimney system, your chimney cap effectively protects the flue from any outside entry, while still allowing the flue gases to safely exit your home. If deteriorated, damaged, or altogether missing, the most vulnerable part of your appliance is exposed to everything from rain and moisture to animals. Here at Ashbusters, we’ve got a variety of chimney caps that can not only help with chimney leaks in your Nashville home, but can add a stylish flair to your chimney too.
- Repointing/Masonry Leak Control: Brick may be strong and durable, but it is also highly porous. The same is true for the mortar that holds it all together. This means that, if not properly treated for a variety of weather conditions, the moment your chimney encounters moisture, that water will soak in and cause the brickwork to crack, flake, and crumble. To fix this, we come in and replace deteriorating bricks and do a bit of repointing (removing the old, damaged mortar to replace it with new) to seal it all back together.
- Masonry Waterproofing: Exactly what it sounds like, our chimney waterproofing service will coat your entire chimney with a professional grade water-resistant sealant. The products we use both protect the structural integrity of your chimney, while still allowing them to breathe properly.
These services cover a lot, clearly! But, rest assured, if you’re experiencing some other kind of chimney leak issue that we didn’t mention here, we can help. Whether you know what the problem is and what service you might need to schedule or you have no idea where to start, when you work with Ashbusters, you’re in good hands. Get in touch with us online, or give us a call at 615-459-2546 to learn more or schedule your appointment today!
Is It Normal for My Chimney To Leak During Heavy Rain?
We get it: considering a chimney is basically a sort of tube that connects your living room to the great outdoors, it does kind of make sense for it to leak…especially if there is an excessive amount of rain. The truth is, however, that these structures are built with all of that in mind and, as such, have parts in place to protect against heavy rain and all other weather conditions.
If you’re noticing that your fireplace starts to drip whenever there’s a rainy day, it’s best that you call in the professionals to take a look before it gets worse.
Whether you have an issue with your flashing, your chimney cap has been damaged, or the cause of the problem is something else entirely, any amount of rain entering your home through your chimney is too much. Give us a call and we’ll take good care of you and your chimney – you’ll never have to dread those dreary days again!
3 Ways to Avoid Moisture-Related Damage
While you cannot control the weather, you can do your part in making sure your chimney is as prepared and protected as possible. Here are the top three things we recommend to avoid as much moisture-related damage as possible:
1. Find all the places near your fireplace and chimney where water likes to “hang out.”
- Clear leaves from gutters on a regular basis, and repair any gutters that are broken. Examine your downspout locations in relation to the chimney. Downspout terminations that are uphill of the chimney – or that drain at the chimney base – pose risks and should therefore be diverted.
- Prune trees that hang over or near your chimney. Rain and dew that collects on trees is a frequent cause of masonry deterioration.
- Check for poor drainage and address this problem as soon as possible.
- Repair any leaks in the flashing (or seal) between your roofing material and the chimney.
- Make sure sprinklers are watering plants – not your chimney. Change the sprinkler head or your watering pattern as needed.
2. Consider asking Ashbusters to waterproof your chimney – or have a chimney cap installed or a new crown constructed to prevent water from collecting in your firebox through the flue or chase.
3. Check for cracks in your chimney, deteriorated mortar joints, and weakened masonry. If you find any of the above, call Ashbusters for an evaluation and chimney inspection.
What To Do When a Chimney Leak Is Found
If you do hear or see water dripping into the firebox or streaking down the firebox wall from the ceiling (or a wall near where your fireplace resides), please call us immediately. We cannot be clear enough about this as water leaks can potentially cause you hundreds – if not thousands – of dollars in damages to the chimney system, surrounding ceiling, mantel, nearby walls, and flooring in your home.
The sooner the issue is addressed, located, and stopped, the better it is for you and your family – not to mention damage to your home.
If you call a roofer and they tell you they can’t find anything leaking on the roof, call us! Roofing companies know roofing. We know chimneys, and thus, we know what the most common issues are when it comes to leaks in and around your chimney. We love and work very closely with a number of roofing companies here in the Central Tennessee area, but have seen many try and fail to address chimney issues – leaving customers with a bigger mess than they started with.
Long story short, if the leak involves a chimney system, call us first at 615-459-2546. You can also reach us online by filling out our appointment request form and someone from our team will get back to you as soon as possible.
What Else Does Your Chimney Need?
Still have yet to schedule that pesky (but necessary) annual chimney sweep? No problem – we can get that scheduled and taken care of for you right away. Found out the hard way that you seem to have a leaking chimney issue on your hands? Our highly trained and Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA)-certified team of experts offer the best chimney leak repair near Nashville.
No matter if you’re in the market for some preventive chimney maintenance services or it’s time you finally tackle those repairs, Ashbusters is the place to call for it all. From more aesthetic-driven projects, like fireplace renovations, to the services that fix a leaking chimney, our techs are the ones for the job.
Looking for the Best Chimney Leak Repair Near Nashville? Call on the Team at Ashbusters!
Chimney leaks can spring from anywhere. And no matter the cause, they’re always incredibly frustrating…especially when you only find out about it when you go to enjoy a fire after a long day! Fortunately, they’re also easily repaired – as long as you act quickly.
No matter the issue causing you chimney trouble, we’re confident that we’re the team to fix it for you. Trust Ashbusters Chimney Service for the best professional leaking chimney repair near Nashville and get back to relaxing in the way you know best. Fill out this form through our website, or give us a call at 615-459-2546 to learn more. We can’t wait to serve you.
We don’t want your chimney to become part of our Chimneys Gone Wild gallery, so call us soon to schedule your chimney repair services with the pros.