Is your Chimney Trying to Tell you Something? Signs and Causes of Chimney Water Damage

As homeowners, we often forget that the tallest point of our home is the most vulnerable to the elements. And when it comes to your chimney, rain, snow, and ice can be a major problem. Water damage can compromise your chimney’s structural integrity, cause mold growth, and create other serious problems. Knowing the signs and causes of chimney water damage can help you address it before it becomes a serious and costly issue.

Signs of Water Damage

Water leaks can appear in many different forms, both on the interior and exterior of your home and chimney. The most common include:

1. Peeling wallpaper, water stains, discoloration, visible leaks and moisture on the walls or ceilings around your chimney.

2. A musty odor from your fireplace — especially after heavy rains.

3. Water or condensation inside your fireplace.

4. The presence of thin tile shards from the flue liner inside the firebox.

5. Problems with the interior or exterior masonry such as cracks or spalling, and missing mortar.

6. Efflorescence, a white chalky residue on your chimney’s surface.

7. Rust or decay on your chimney’s metal components, including the damper, fireplace doors, and frames.

What Causes Chimney Leaks?

Wet weather and high winds cause wear and tear on your chimney. Overtime, materials break down, and water gets inside. The most common causes of chimney leaks include:

• A Damaged or Missing Chimney Cap – A damaged or missing chimney cap can’t keep out rain, sleet and snow.

• Poorly Installed or Damaged Metal Flashing – Improperly installed or damaged flashing won’t be able to hold a waterproof seal between your chimney and roof.

• Cracked Chimney Crown – Cracks in your chimney crown allow water to leak into the flue lining.

• Damaged or Spalling Brickwork – Eventually all masonry chimneys start to crack, especially when regular maintenance is neglected.

• Deteriorated Mortar Joints – As brick masonry chimneys crack, the mortar joints start to deteriorate. When bricks lack proper mortar, rain water, snow, and other bad weather will eat away at your chimney, causing it to crumble over time.

Fixing and Preventing Future Damage

Before you repair any chimney damage, identify its root cause by scheduling a professional inspection. After assessing your chimney, your technician may advise you to:

• Repair or replace flashing or sealant around the chimney.

• Install a new chimney cap.

• Repair or replace damaged mortar or metal components of the chimney.

• Repair damaged masonry.

• Apply waterproof sealant to your chimney’s exterior.

Benefits of Annual Inspections and Routine Maintenance

Rain, snow, hail, wind, and temperature changes are constantly in motion, causing deterioration to your chimney. That’s why it’s important to have your chimney checked each year. An annual cleaning and inspection will ensure your chimney system and its components are working properly, and identify small problems before they become larger issues.

Chimney Inspection, Cleaning, Maintenance and Repair in NH and MA

By being aware of the signs of chimney water damage and taking steps to fix it, you will increase the lifespan of your chimney, ensuring it operates safely and efficiently for years to come. When was the last time you had your chimney cleaned and inspected? Contact us today to schedule an appointment with our CCP-certified chimney professionals.

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7 Ways to Get the Most from your Fireplace

A fireplace is a popular feature in many homes, but its ability to transfer heat can be less than optimal if it’s not used efficiently. As we journey into the heart of winter, here are some timely tips for getting the most warmth out of your next fire.

1. Keep up with professional inspections.

A structurally sound chimney is essential for a safe and efficient fire. Annual inspections prevent minor issues from becoming a more significant problem. By proactively maintaining your system, you can be sure your fireplace and chimney are in prime condition to work effectively. During an inspection, your technician will check your chimney and fireplace from the inside out; looking for structural damage and signs of moisture, inspecting the damper, and removing grime and creosote buildup.

2. Monitor for any changes or problems.

Keeping track of the performance of your fireplace and chimney is important to catch any changes or irregularities. If you think your system isn’t operating as it should, contact our professional chimney technicians to address your concerns.

3. Schedule professional cleanings at least once a year.

Soot and creosote are a natural byproduct of burning wood that coat the inside of your chimney. When built up, they reduce the overall diameter inside your chimney, impacting its ability to effectively draw air from your fireplace. A clean, obstruction-free chimney improves the overall draft, maximizing the potential draw of your fireplace, feeding more air to the fire, helping it burn correctly, and increasing its heat output.

4. Clean the inside of your fireplace.

In addition to professional sweepings, periodically clean the inside of your fireplace to help your fires burn properly and more efficiently. Sweep up excess ash when it reaches the bottom of the grate to encourage proper air circulation for efficient-burning fires. Leave one or two inches of ash within your fireplace at all times to help insulate the new bed of hot coals in the next fire and improve its heat output.

5. Use the right wood.

Using the right kind of wood will guarantee that your fire lasts a long time and produces the most heat possible. The high moisture content of green or wet firewood causes a fire to be inefficient and burn out more quickly. For a warmer, longer lasting fire, burn seasoned or dried hardwood, such as maple or oak.

6. Fully open the damper before starting a fire.

In order for your fire to burn effectively, it needs plenty of oxygen. Open your damper all the way to allow for maximum draw of air up the chimney. This will increase the airflow and allow your wood to burn hotter and faster. Be sure to close the damper between fires to prevent the loss of warm air from your home.

7. Circulate the air.

As most fireplace users know, the warmth from your fire tends to stay in the area immediately around your wood-burning appliance–rather than circulating efficiently through your home. You can help move trapped hot air near the ceiling by running your ceiling fan counterclockwise at low speed. This helps redirect warm air from the ceiling down the walls and into the living space.

Chimney Inspection, Cleaning, Service, and Repair in NH and MA

Using the right wood-burning techniques and regular fireplace and chimney maintenance will help you get the most out of your system. If your chimney and fireplace are due for service or are in need of a repair, contact Admiralty Chimney’s CCP-certified technicians. We’re your full-service chimney company.

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4 Common Chimney Problems and How to Troubleshoot Them

Your wood-burning fireplace gets all the praise and attention for the warmth and relaxation it provides, but if it wasn’t for your chimney, the magic just wouldn’t happen. Known as the backbone of your heating system, your chimney works hard so you can have a safe and beautiful fire. Any problems that arise should be addressed in order to maintain its safety. In this month’s blog, the CCP-certified chimney pros at Admiralty Chimney share four common chimney problems and how to troubleshoot them.

1. Creosote Buildup

Creosote forms when the smoke from your fire cools and condenses, leaving a black, hard substance in your flue that’s very similar to tar. Even though creosote is a natural byproduct of burning wood, it is highly flammable and can become a fire hazard. Builtup creosote can also restrict airflow, causing smoke to enter your home, instead of being released outside. You can prevent creosote buildup by having your chimney professionally cleaned.

2. Chimney Obstructions

Critter nests, outdoor debris, and even a curious animal that’s stopped by to “inspect” your chimney, can block your flue from exhausting smoke and fumes, putting you at risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. A quality chimney cap, with mesh on all four sides, is the best way to prevent anything from getting inside your chimney. To ensure your cap remains in good working condition, be sure to keep up with your annual inspections.

3. Closed Damper

The adjustable steel flap above your firebox and inside your chimney is responsible for regulating the amount of heat in your home. Your damper should be fully open when a fire is first lit, then adjusted as the fireplace warms to maintain a draft and allow smoke to exit through your chimney. Sometimes the damper’s hinge mechanism gets stuck or stops moving smoothly due to dirt, creosote buildup, or corrosion. This can be easily identified and fixed during a standard chimney inspection.

4. Cracked Masonry

Moisture that seeps into your chimney through cracks or chipped bricks is the biggest enemy to your chimney system. Water can damage your masonry, lining, firebox, and damper, as well as the walls and ceilings in your home. Maintenance, such as tuckpointing and waterproofing, ensure that water doesn’t infiltrate your chimney system, protecting your masonry from damage. There are times when brickwork becomes so damaged because of moisture, that the bricks need to be replaced. Schedule any masonry work in the springtime when the outside temperatures are optimal for a proper repair.

Chimney Inspections are Key to Keeping Problems at Bay

It’s important to be intentional about the maintenance and upkeep of your wood-burning system. Scheduling a cleaning and inspection with a licensed professional will give you peace of mind that your fireplace and chimney are safe to use. At Admiralty Chimney, our CCP-certified chimney experts can alleviate your concerns and provide answers to your questions.

Chimney Cleaning, Inspection, Service, and Repair in NH and MA

Most common fireplace problems are easily identified and solved. If you have questions about your fireplace and chimney, contact our team today. We’re ready to help.

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