Roof leaks is a common problem in older homes and are often due to improperly installed flashing around the chimney. You might notice water dripping in your chimney ceiling or see water leaking into your chimney’s firebox.
The leakage can be from several sources such as heavy rain, even if the roof did not have problems previously. Be sure to hire a professional roofing company to rectify your chimney leaking problems. Or you’ll end up having to pay for endless repairs.
Step flashing is one of the strategies to repair a leaking roof around the chimney. Flashing is a barrier between the roof and the chimney.
This article covers the most common causes of a roof leak in the event of rain around the chimney and strategies to resolve the problem.
How to Know if the Source of the Leak Is Around the Chimney
A roof leak around the chimney is an issue that occurs when rainwater or snow melts seeps into your home through cracks near your fireplace. Chimney leaks are not always noticeable. Otherwise, chimney leaks are not always noticeable.
While chimney leaks can be as apparent as a pool of water near the fireplace, they could also be unrecognized until it has caused significant damage to your chimney.
Common signs of chimney leaks
There are several ways to identify a chimney leak. The most common sign of chimney leak is the dampness around its exterior on walls or ceilings in areas near where the fireplace chimney passes through. Other signs of a chimney leak include;
Mold spots and odors; leaking roofs causes the growth of mold and mildew. Consequently, you might notice these growths or a musty or moldy odor.
Cracks in the drywall or plaster around your fireplace opening. Most importantly, a leaking chimney could present as leaks or moisture in other areas of the house. It could also appear as water staining the ceiling or walls near the chimney.
Spalling of the chimney could also indicate a roof leak. You will notice the surface of the bricks flaking away. The bricks might also appear broken or cracked. In some cases, some bricks could be missing.
Efflorescence is another indication of a leaking chimney. Efflorescence is easy to spot because it appears as white residue on surfaces. The white residue occurs due to rain or moisture that collects on the surfaces of bricks within the chimney.
Regular and preventive maintenance is the surest way to avoid a leaky chimney. You can catch problems before they damage your chimney or fireplace significantly. It will also save you from avoidable expenditure on repairs or installing new roof.
Reasons for chimney leaks
Chimney leaks can occur at any point of the year. However, the best period for homeowners to identify a roof leak is during spring when they are more noticeable because of the high precipitation.
The chimney is partly exposed to the environment, bringing it into contact with elements such as the sun and rain.
Water coming from the rain could cause the deterioration of your chimney’s masonry. These result in wear and tear that could damage the chimney or cause it to break down.
A roof leaking around chimneys can happen for a variety of reasons such as bad flashing on the roof or porous masonry from spading bricks and some chimneys even suffer from multiple issues that can cause leaks.
Understanding why your chimney may be leaking will help you make a better chimney repair decision which can save you money
Damaged Chimney Crown
The chimney crown is the part of the chimney made of cement. The chimney crown keeps the rain out of the chimney. Cracks in the crown result when it shrinks or experiences structural change allowing water to penetrate
Damaged Chimney Flashing
There are various flashing used to roof around chimney. A base flashing or step flashing is the piece or pieces that attach to the roof itself and make an L shaped bend up along the side of the chimney.
A counter flashing covers the top of the step flashing and don’t allow water to enter behind it. The counter flashing can be seen from the ground view.
Damaged metal flashing around the chimney can allow water to sip into your house and cause damage that could require repair or a complete replacement.
A simple roof repair could fix by applying cement to the gap between the metal flashing and the chimney slight cracks. If the damage is extensive, call a roofer to reflash your chimney properly.
Saturation of the Bricks
Wear and tear due to weather could affect the integrity of the bricks and other materials in the chimney system. Brick saturation could cause water to sip in during rainy days.
Condensation From the Inside of the Chimney
Condensation on the metal flashings can cause a chimney leak during the rainy season . Condensation can occur in chimneys and disguise itself as a leak.
Symptoms of a roof leaking around chimney from Condensation Leaks when it is not raining.
This most often occurs if a gas furnace or gas water heater is vented through an old chimney or it can happen in fireplaces with gas furnace and the chimney liner is cracked allowing the byproduct of gas combustions – H2O to bypass the chimney liner, contact cool masonry and condense into water droplets.
Brick inside the chimney turns dark after a rain then brick turns white. Therefore, having professional who is experienced with roof repair is essential.
Loose Mortar Joints
Poor or damaged masonry could also let the water in through loose mortar joints. If the mortar isn’t damaged but the brick is porous, coating with water repellant above the roof line is a very good preventative measure.
Chimney Caps
Chimney caps are found at the top to prevent water from getting into the flue. If the chimney cap is damaged, it could allow water to sip through it. Inspecting your chimney caps to ensure they are in suitable condition could help prevent leaks.
Chimney Cover
A chimney cover prevents water and birds, from entering the house through the chimney. If broken, it could allow water inside the chimney.
Another way to avoid damage to your masonry is to waterproof your chimney by applying a specialized sealant making your masonry work semi-porous.
Preventive maintenance is critical in avoiding chimney leaks. Regular maintenance, annual inspection and frequent chimney sweeps could help identify damages on early stages
How to Fix Roof leak Around the Chimney
Water sipping through the roof is a critical problem requiring prompt fixing. Most often, damage to the chimney flashing is the cause of a leaking roof.
You could involve a local roofing professional or take it up as a DIY project and fix the problem.
Before fixing a leaking roof, ensure you have the following tools and materials:
- Roof safety harness
- Gloves
- Chisel
- Hammer drill
- Masonry screws
- roofing cement/polyurethane flashing sealant
- Putty knife
- Garden hose
The following is a guide to fixing a leaking roof around the chimney:
- Position the ladder on a flat surface and stable position to climb.
- Inspect the area around the chimney flashing and clean any leaves or other debris that could obstruct your view. Make sure the gap between the flashing and the chimney is clear.
- If portions of the chimney are missing, contact a professional roof repairer.
- Use a chisel to remove hardened roofing cement and deteriorated sealant.
- Apply a generous amount of roofing cement or flashing sealant with a caulk behind the flashing.
- Use nails and screws to reattach the flashing tight against the chimney.
- Cover any exposed nails or screw heads with roofing cement or sealant.
- Apply a sealant to the joint between the flashing and the bricks.
- Smooth the roofing cement or sealant with a putty knife.
- After the roofing cement dries, test to see if there are leaks by running water over the chimney for about 5 minutes.
- If there is a leak, look for gaps and apply more roofing cement or sealant.
- Safety Measures
- There are a few safety precautions to avoid hurting yourself.LadderEnsure the extension ladder is above the roof’s edge by about 3 ft. Use safety harness when working on a steep roof.
- Using the SealantA sealant on a leaky chimney is just a temporary fix. The cracks or the leaks could grow, and the waterproofing sealant might not help at some point.
- Chimney CricketA chimney cricket is an additional hole that helps divert water. It forms a pointed ridge at the back of the chimney to channel water away from the chimney
Chimney leaks Repair Cost
It will cost between $150 and $425 to reseal the chimney flashing. The price varies with the chimney size, type, roof type and the flashing material used. Replacing the flashing cost more, it falls anywhere between $750 and $1450
It is also essential to consider whether your chimney needs a repair or an upgrade. Older chimneys lack waterproofing treatments that can help prevent common leaks.
Besides repairing the chimney’s structure, consider an upgrade for long-lasting solutions.
Are Chimney Leaks Covered by Homeowners Insurance?
Hire a roofing contractor when you notice your chimney leaking. Understanding why your chimney may be leaking will help you make a better chimney repair decision which can save you money.
Chimney repairs is an expensive affair and delays in repairs can lead to more damage to your property and really expensive when hiring roofing companies.
The standard homeowner’s insurance policy will cover some chimney leaks but not others. Some of the instances where your policy could cover chimney repair costs include causes due to sudden and unforeseen events.