Mid-Valley Chimney Repair & Sweeps knows the pain and headache chimney leaks can cause. That’s why we offer the best chimney waterproofing services available to homeowners in the Montgomery County area. Waterproofing is an important part of keeping your chimney – and ultimately your home – safer from the damage unwanted water can do.
Over the years we have heard many questions regarding masonry waterproofing and, with spring upon us, thought we would share the answers to the most commonly asked questions we receive.
Why Do I Need to Waterproof My Chimney?
Your chimney is an important part of your home allowing you to enjoy fire inside, while at the same time helping to keep water and other debris outside. Water can do a lot of damage when it is in places it shouldn’t be, so making sure it doesn’t gain access to your liner, brickwork, and more is essential.
Waterproofing your chimney keeps it strong, helps it do its job by sealing the masonry, and helps guard against leaks inside your home.
How Does Water Damage a Chimney?
It comes as a surprise to many people that masonry is naturally porous and absorbent. That’s right – when not protected, brick and mortar can act more like a sponge than an impenetrable wall. The problem is, once moisture gets inside masonry, it can get trapped there. Over time, trapped water can cause major issues, especially once the freeze/thaw process is started.
The freeze/thaw process is a naturally occurring cycle where water that is caught inside the pores of your masonry freezes and expands. The pressure caused by this expansion forces the tiny holes the water is in to crack and corrode – creating more pathways for water to enter in the process. This means that, when the weather begins to warm again, the water melts and even more is absorbed. Later on, the water will freeze again, expand, and continue weakening the brick and mortar.
Over a short amount of time, this process can cause chimneys to crumble and weaken so much that it becomes a danger to your home. If stopped early, though, the damage done is minimal and inexpensive to fix. Given enough time, however, it can destroy property and be devastating to your bank account.
Waterproofing a chimney protects against the freeze/thaw process. Using products fit for your specific masonry needs, our techs at Mid-Valley Chimney Repair & Sweeps are able to seal your chimney and protect it from moisture and the havoc it can cause.
How Often Do I Need to Waterproof My Chimney?
The frequency you waterproof is in direct relation to the level of professionalism, accuracy, and thoroughness in which the job is done. If done correctly, a waterproofing job should last many years – some as long as a decade. If done incorrectly, however, your masonry might only remain sealed for months, if it has any effect at all.
Can I Do the Job Myself? …or Do I Need a Professional?
The truth is, we do not recommend waterproofing as a DIY job. There are many reasons for this but ultimately it comes down to money in your pocket and the safety of your home. Here’s what we mean.
The products available in retail stores are almost always meant for small jobs and require frequent application. They are expensive and can cause more harm than good.
Remember that masonry is absorbent – which means that if water gets trapped within it, it needs to be able to eventually evaporate out and escape. Retail products are almost never vapor-permeable, which means they won’t allow the process of evaporation to take place. Rather, moisture will remain trapped within the brick and mortar. With no way to escape that freeze/thaw process is doomed to continue until your chimney becomes an expensive and dangerous hazard.
At Mid-Valley Chimney Repair & Sweeps we use the highest quality, vapor-permeable products around, which ensures that any moisture located within the masonry can escape – while still keeping precipitation away from the brick in the process. In addition to simply sealing your chimney, our techs are trained to spot weaknesses in all the various components of your masonry that are designed to keep water out, ensuring proper resolutions can be applied.
We make sure your chimney cap, flashing, crown, and other parts of your chimney are in good working order so that the entire system can work like it’s supposed to. Sealing a chimney that is vulnerable can lead to more leaks and further damage. Our techs at Mid-Valley Chimney Repair & Sweeps work closely with our customers to make sure that their chimney is healthy, working right, and protected from the damage moisture can do.
How Much Does Waterproofing Cost?
The cost of having your masonry professionally waterproofed varies based on a number of factors. The size of your chimney, the repairs needed before application, the location of the job, and the amount of sunlight and exposure to elements, all play a part in the cost of waterproofing.
What is true for all jobs, however, is that the cost of waterproofing is significantly less than the cost of repairs due to water damage. It is an extremely wise investment in the protection of one of your most valuable home assets.
Call Today to Book With Us
Mid-Valley Chimney Repair & Sweeps is here to provide you with the professionalism and care that it takes to keep your chimney strong and leak-free. Just like your chimney is one of your most valuable assets, the satisfaction of our customers is our most valuable asset. Allow us to serve you and help you care for your chimney.
Call 513-727-0994 or request an appointment with us today.