A leaky chimney is one of the most common issues we see homeowners face. It is less about “if” it will happen, and more about when. If you are noticing a possible leak from your chimney, it is important to contact a Certified Chimney Sweep to remedy the issue, before it causes further damage to your home.
How Do I Know If My Chimney Is Leaking?
There are several different signs to look out for when looking for a leak coming from your chimney.
You may hear dripping onto the top of your fireplace. This is often a sign of a defect at the top of your chimney, whether chasetop or concrete crown/mortar wash.
You are noticing water or water staining on the front of your fireplace face, or where the ceiling meets the wall your fireplace is within.
Damage to the brick and/or mortar of your chimney. Bricks are highly porous and moisture can cause cracking/spalling/crumbling of the brick and mortar.
Water in the firebox/fireplace or ash cleanout of your masonry chimney. While the simple option would be to ensure that the top of your chimney has a rain cap, it may be a sign of an issue located at the shoulder of your chimney.
Moisture or efflorescence notable on the chimney in the attic space.
Water Test
In the event there is not an obvious explanation for your chimney leak, our technicians may recommend performing a water test. During a water test, one of our Nationally Certified Chimney Technicians will spray water onto portions of the chimney, while a second technician monitors the interior for the water intrusion. This allows us to pinpoint where the water leak is coming from vs. charging for a repair that may not solve the current leak issue.