Waterproof Your Masonary Chimney To Protecting From Leaks
Think for a moment about your chimney. Do you worry about whether or not it has been adequately protected from crumbling, and ultimately becoming susceptible to leaks? If you answered “No” don’t worry; you’re not alone... Chimneys are quite possibly the most neglected portion of a home. This is most likely due to their necessary, yet unfortunate position. This really is a case of “out of sight, out of mind”. Homeowners definitely enjoy basking in the warm glow of a roaring fire on a cold winter’s night; they make sure the fireplace, hearth, and inside of the chimney is clean; but they seldom consider the condition of the exterior of their chimney. The fact that chimneys bear the brunt of whatever weather your home is subjected to actually makes sense – they are, after all, the only portion of your home which is situated above the roof. If you fail to adequately protect your chimney from weather damage, you may find yourself in the position of having to, at some point, hire a capable professional to rebuild it. Looking at it from this point of view, is it not better to do waterproofing of your chimney before problems arise? This way, you not only avoid a rather costly repair, but also ensure that your chimney does not prove to become an eyesore atop your roof. Waterproofing A Chimney If you decide to waterproof your chimney, there are a few considerations that you must take into account before proceeding. For instance, you must first ensure that all mortar joints are solid. This is to say, that any severe breakage or cracks may require some tuckpointing work be done prior to waterproofing. If you notice however, that you only have minor cracks in the mortar joints, you can purchase a specific variety of waterproofing caulk that fills cracks and prevents any future leaks. Even if you are not able to detect any cracks presently, please consider the fact that masonry materials are extremely porous and are able to absorb a significant amount of moisture. It is for this reason, that if you do not waterproof your chimney before problems arise, you will undoubtedly be faced with leaks. For those individuals who are seduced by the allure of buying an “older” home it is of the utmost importance that you not only ensure that your chimney has been waterproofed previously, but also that you maintain it appropriately in order to avoid any catastrophic damage taking place. Moreover, if you are in the market to buy any home, it would be prudent to request that the chimney be inspected before you put in your offer. Whatever your waterproofing or plumbing needs, please contact www.DrainCom.com for a free estimate. We are also available for any plumbing emergencies you have 24 hours a day, 7 days a week: 416-989-5757.