Santa's Friend Chimney Service Blog

Proper Chimney Waterproofing

Is your chimney ready to stand up to winter weather? One of the most common types of chimney damage, spalling occurs when the temperature drops below freezing. Water that has leaked into the bricks and mortar of your chimney will freeze and expand, and when the temperature warms up, the water thaws and causes the masonry materials to crack and break apart. Have you ever noticed how potholes always appear on the roads after an ice storm? That type of damage is also spalling damage, and if you have seen how large some potholes can be, you have an idea of how badly it can deteriorate the exterior of your chimney. At Santa’s Friend Chimney Service, we offer several ways to protect your chimney from water penetration damage. One way we can help to keep your chimney in one piece is waterproofing. We would like to tell you more about how water can damage your chimney as well as how waterproofing can prevent water from leaking into the bricks and mortar of your chimney.

Besides spalling, how else can water penetration damage my chimney?

The Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) has famously said that water is the biggest enemy of masonry chimneys because of the amount of damage it can do when it leaks into chimneys. Spalling damage is most likely the most devastating type of water penetration damage because if left unrepaired, your chimney could possibly collapse! However, water leaks can do even more damage. The metal components of your chimney like the damper can deteriorate from rust corrosion and break. Any wood surrounding your chimney can rot. Your ceilings and walls can become stained and distorted from water leaking through the chimney. Preventing water penetration is crucial to protecting your chimney from damage and deterioration.

Are there other benefits to having my chimney waterproofed?

Although keeping your masonry chimney safe from water damage is well worth the cost of waterproofing, you will see other advantages from this service. An environmentally friendly formula that is 100% vapor permeable, the waterproofing agent we use is manufactured by Chimney Saver and comes with a 10-year warranty with our professional application. Waterproofing your chimney will also make it more resistant against mildew and fungus.

What can I expect from a waterproofing treatment from Santa’s Friend Chimney Service?

When our CSIA-certified chimney professionals arrive at your home, they will begin by seeing which type of waterproofing formula will work best for your chimney. After scrubbing and cleaning your bricks and mortar, your chimney will get a coating of the waterproofing formula to create a barrier that will protect your bricks and mortar from becoming deteriorated by spalling and other water penetration damage.

Don’t hesitate to protect your masonry chimney this winter. Contact us at Santa’s Friend Chimney Service to schedule an appointment for a waterproofing service before the temperature drops below freezing.

Stop the Mold!

Clear The Air: Keep Mold Out Of Your Chimney

We hate having to give clients the news that their chimney is leaking. We double hate having to tell anyone that a chimney leak has created a mold issue. Water damage can be frustrating and costly, and mold growth is smelly, dirty and really tough to get rid of on top of that. Plus, if someone in your home suffers from respiratory issues like asthma, mold is more than just an annoyance; it’s a really serious hazard.

Anytime moisture gets into your chimney, there is a perfect breeding ground for mold. This can cause respiratory problems.

If you’re worried about moisture and mold problems, Santa’s Friend Chimney Service is just a phone call away — our experienced technicians can inspect your chimney. to find the source or sources of moisture problems, determine whether you have mold growth and get you on a path to being rid of both of those problems.

Do I Have Mold?

If you notice discoloration (often green, brown or black) around water-damaged areas in your home or chimney, and/or smell the tell-tale musty odor, there’s a good chance you have mold growth. And when water intrusion leads to mold, there’s reason to be concerned about it. Moisture issues can lead to toxic black mold, and — this is something you’ve probably heard a time or 20 — black mold has been shown to contribute to a variety of health and respiratory issues, including everything from coughs and flu-like symptoms to upper respiratory problems and increased asthma symptoms.

Where’s The Mold Coming From?

We say it all the time: water is your chimney’s worst enemy. And it’s a tenacious enemy, too — it’s determined to find a way into your flue and into your home, however it can. Sometimes water intrusion is the result of damage — a cracked chimney crown or torn flashing. Other times eroded masonry starts to wick so much water in through its surface that moisture pulls straight through to the inside and starts providing a welcoming home for mold. Our first step, after determining whether or not you have a mold problem, is determining where the moisture is coming from and recommending the best way to remedy it.

Removing Mold, And Keeping It Away

Safely and thoroughly remediating mold growth is important, and Santa’s Friend can help. But the key thing to really getting this problem out of your hair is preventing it from happening again. Our techs can make any necessary repairs to get your chimney back to successfully fighting off water intrusion, whether that’s applying CrownSeal sealant to your damaged crown, replacing your flashing or tuckpointing damaged mortar joints. We can also protect the chimney masonry itself by applying a specially formulated waterproofing sealant that allows your chimney to shed water but still properly vent vapors from the inside of the flue.

Santa’s Friend wants to help keep your home and chimney dry and mold-free — if you have a moisture or mold issue, give us a call!