Your chimney seems indestructible, and for the most part, it is. However, overtime, water can cause major damage to your chimney structure. That is why preventative maintenance is all the more important for protecting your chimney against water, especially over the course of a rainy season. Rain causes havoc to masonry structures, and the freeze-thaw cycle from winter can also contributes to the the damage. At Owens Chimney Systems, we have exactly what you need to prepare for the raining season ahead to adequately protect your chimney from water!
What Type of Damage Can Occur?
You might be wondering what the negative effects of water on your chimney are. After all, it’s just water. However, when water leaks down your chimney, it can make your fireplace accessories rust including the damper. Your accessories are replaceable, and so is the damper, but this requires a bit of work. If the damper is rusted, it will not cause a tight sea for your chimney. That means the heated or cooled air from your home is slipping out and cold or hot air from outside is coming in. This makes it difficult to keep the interior of your home at a preferable temperature, and it also causes higher energy bills.
There are several ways for water to enter your chimney. First, precipitation can get in through the opening at the top of your chimney. Most chimneys have a chimney cap to keep water out. If your chimney does not have a chimney cap or your existing cap is worn or damaged, that’s an easy fix. At Owens Chimney Systems, we manufacture our own chimney caps. They are custom made, so we are certain that we can find the perfect one for your home.
Another Vulnerable Parts of Your Chimney
Another leak-prone area of your chimney is the junction where your roof meets the chimney – flashing. This area can have a difficultly of having a tight seal, so flashing is present to do the job. Flashing is the layers of metal strips that cover this area. The strips are set in a varying pattern so that rain can’t enter your chimney to cause havoc. However, flashing can also be ripped or torn off, leaving the joint open and easily penetrable. We can replace your damaged flashing and keep precipitation out.
No matter how water is getting in, Owens Chimney Systems has a solution to resolve it. Give us a call today at 704-554-9595, and we’ll set up an appointment to clean and inspect your chimney for any leaks.