Your chimney is built to last a long time, but failing to take care of it can shorten its lifespan. Waterproofing is one of the most important things you can do to ensure its longevity. Moisture is your chimney’s worst enemy, and it can ruin it in numerous ways. So the best thing to do is to get your chimney waterproofed, so that it doesn’t leak in the first place. Let’s take a look at how waterproofing extends the life of your chimney.
Waterproofing your chimney
If you have any existing chimney damage its best to get that repaired before applying any waterproofing agents. Waterproofing should be done using a heavy duty water-based sealant, but be sure to avoid products that are likely to trap moisture in the chimney. We use, trust, and recommend the ChimneySaver line of chimney waterproofing products because they offer the ultimate in ease-of-use and durability.
How Waterproofing Extends the Life of Your Chimney
- Waterproofing prevents water from seeping into the masonry, and damaging the structure. The best waterproofing agents not only repel water, but also allow your chimney to breathe. The product you use should specifically allow evaporated water to exit through tiny pores in the surface without allowing additional water to penetrate.
- Chimneys are comprised of materials such as concrete, block, and mortar that easily absorb water, and are adversely affected by the weather. Water penetration often causes the masonry material to chip and break apart. It can also lead to cracks in the chimney flue liner, and this can pose a serious health risk.
- Water damage is not always obvious, and when left unchecked it can cause enormous problems that can eventually make your chimney collapse. Waterproofing will prevent serious chimney deterioration, keep your fireplace safe, and help to avoid costly repairs in the long term. When your chimney is well taken care of, it will last a long time, and also maintain its beauty.
Give us a call at 610-626-2439 at Lou Curley’s Chimney Service if you’re in Drexel Hill or the surrounding areas and need some assistance with your chimney. Both of our chimney sweeps are CSIA (Chimney Safety Institute of America) Certified and hold the CDET certification as well. We proudly hold other certifications and continue our education in the Chimney Safety field every year.
Remember to schedule your post-winter cleaning soon so we can make sure the winter weather didn’t cause any damage to your chimney. We’ll also discuss weatherproofing the chimney before April showers get too bad and before the summertime thunderstorms begin. We’ve already seen a couple of mild thunderstorms this year, so we need to prepare for anything Mother Nature can throw in our direction this summer.