5 Reasons Your Chimney is Leaking

If you’ve noticed moisture in or around your fireplace, your chimney could have a leak. Leaky chimneys can cause water to get into your home and cause mold and water damage problems. If you’ve noticed water around your fireplace, it’s important to take action to locate and stop the cause of the leak. Here are a few reasons the leak may be occurring.

1. You don’t have a chimney cover. A chimney cover is almost like a hat for your chimney. It sits on top of the top opening and protects it from rain, snow, debris, and animals. If you don’t have a cover on your chimney, rain will go straight down the chute.

2. There are cracks in the chimney crown. The upper cement part of your chimney is called the crown. It’s somewhat of a cone shape, and its function is to drain rain and snow off of the chimney. If there are cracks in the cement, water can easily seep in and leak down the chimney and into your home.

3. The chimney isn’t lined. If you live in an older home, it’s possible the chimney isn’t properly lined. This can cause condensation to form inside and drip down the chimney chute.

4. There’s a crack in the flashing. Flashing is the material that seals the gap between the chimney and roof. If there are any cracks or gaps in the flashing, this can create an entry point for water.

5. Your roof is leaking. If you’re seeing leaks around your chimney and fireplace, the issue could actually be a leak in your roof shingles or attic vent. The proximity to the chimney may make it seem like that’s the issue, but it could be something else.

If you’ve found a leak or suspect you have one, don’t hesitate to call our team. We’ll inspect your home and make a plan to repair any problems.