Your chimney is a stone, brick, or concrete structure that contains a flue connected to your fireplace. It serves as a pathway that allows smoke from a contained fire to travel safely out of your home.

As a fixture to your home’s exterior, the chimney withstands a great amount of wear and tear from outdoor elements like weather. But you might not realize that the chimney is not inherently waterproof. In fact, porous materials like brick and concrete can easily undergo moisture damage without proper protection.

Your local chimney sweeps can assist you in waterproofing your chimney to preserve its integrity and lengthen its lifespan. For more details about how to protect your chimney, reach out to Advanced Chimney Sweeps in Marietta, GA. You may also read on to learn how moisture can harm your chimney structure as well as how to prevent this damage.

Can My Chimney Get Moisture Damage?

Because of the porous material used in many chimneys, these structures can prove especially susceptible to moisture damage. Rainwater, snow, and other precipitation can penetrate into the chimney. Then temperature changes outside can make the water freeze and melt over time.

Water expands as it freezes, and this can cause the stones and bricks of the chimney to crack or crumble. Damage to the chimney can disrupt the flow of smoke out of the home. Plus, moisture damage in the chimney may easily spread to hurt the roof and the rest of your home.

This can send smoke back into your home, which may make a mess inside your house and pose a health risk to you and your family. Repairs for damaged chimneys can be costly, so you should take preventive measures against moisture penetration before this damage can accrue when you can.

How Do I Protect My Chimney from Water Damage?

The mortar, the cement-like material that keeps the stones of your chimney in place, plays a major role in preventing water damage from harming the chimney. Ensure this stays in good condition and does not crumble or fall apart by inspecting it on a regular basis.

You may want to consult a professional chimney sweep to properly evaluate the waterproofing of your chimney. A chimney expert can also recommend sealing materials to further protect the chimney from water damage.

You should also install a chimney cap atop the chimney to stop water from entering the inside of the chimney. This device can prevent rusting from affecting dampers and other fixtures within the chimney flue too. When you buy a chimney cap from a chimney professional, you can look forward to custom fits that will maximize protection from water.

You will need an inspection of your chimney to ensure it is safe to use at least once a year. Book an inspection from an expert chimney sweep to identify early signs of structural damage or threats too. This way, you can reduce the chances of needing extensive and costly repair work.