Any type of water leak in your home can be frustrating, but chimney leaks might be the most critical. You would probably not expect water to be coming from the chimney. Yet, countless homeowners have had to deal with the damage from a chimney leaking water. There could be several reasons why this is happening, all of which may lead to water damage to your property. Luckily it can be fixed. We have created an extensive outline of the most common causes of chimney leaks and how you can fix them.
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Top Causes of Chimney Water Leaks and Ways to Respond
1. Chimney Leaking From a Rusted Chase Top
At the top of your chimney is a chase top that helps prevent water from going down. The chase top has a hold in its center for the spark arrester and chimney pipe that comes through, which is sealed with caulk. Rust can form on the chase top if it is lower in the center than the rest of the steel panel, where water can pool.
Water can also enter through the chimney if the caulk around the hole that the chimney pipe and spark arrester poke through fails. In either case, getting regular roof maintenance can catch the problem before it leads to water damage.
2. Brick Saturation
Brick chimneys are susceptible to water, especially after heavy rains. Brick and mortar are porous materials that can absorb water. The chase top is supposed to distribute water evenly away from the chimney. However, it rarely happens. That means water may drip excessively on one side, saturating bricks to the point that they leak water inside the chimney.
This problem is less common with newer chimneys due to the way they are constructed. But plenty of homeowners are still dealing with this problem. Lucky for you, a professional roofing contractor can stop the chimney leak by sealing the brick with a masonry water repellent.
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3. Damaged Roof Flashing
The thin metal material that roofers install to channel water away from some parts of your roof is called the flashing. It’s part of your chimney and can cause a chimney leak for two reasons. One is that the flashing was not installed properly. This would mean your chimney does not have a dependable barrier to prevent a water leak.
To resolve the issue, you may need to check the workmanship warranty or get a better contractor to reflash the chimney. The second reason could be due to a worn-down chimney. Like shingles and other roofing materials, flashing will wear out eventually. The more worn out the flashing is, the higher the chance of a leak. It will need to be replaced to avoid further damage or future leaks.
5 Causes of Roof Leaks
The chimney is far from the only way rainwater can find its way into your home. Roof leaks can drip water into walls, and flooring, and even reach the foundation. Here are five common roof leak causes.
1. Poorly Sealed Valleys
If you notice a water leak near your chimney, the source of the issue may be roof valleys that are not installed correctly. Before having your roof worked on, be sure your contractor is experienced and qualified. Otherwise, they might not use good materials or measure inaccurately. In some cases, heavy rainfall and ice dams can contribute to the corrosion of the sealing material.
2. Improperly Installed Skylights
If the contractor that installed your skylights rushed through the job, they could have inadvertently led to your roof leak. Inaccurate measurements and flimsy materials have a higher chance of leading to a problem. However, even properly installed skylights may eventually lead to a leak if the sealing materials decay or become worn out from wind and rain. Your first sign of this being the culprit is water dripping around the skylights.
3. Accumulated Ice Dam
An ice dam can lead to a roof leak in one of two ways. First, excess heat in the attic can cause ice water to dissipate through the roofing structure. An ice dam can also crack and deform several parts of your roof, allowing water to leak through.
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4. Excess Moisture in the Attic
When low and high temperatures mix inside your attic, it can lead to moisture condensing and forming flowing water. You can usually spot signs of water damage in your attic in the form of water-stained ceilings and musty odors.
5. Cracked Vent Booting
Roof decay or damaged flashing can lead to a cracked vent boot, which allows water to drip through the roof. One of the ways you will know you have a cracked vent booting is by checking the walls for dark spots. You may also notice a musty odor around the affected area.
Roof Leak Repair and Restoration Services
Is a roof leak causing severe water damage on your property? Our team of technicians provide trusted water damage mitigation services in Dallas, TX and other areas. Our professionals have the equipment and skills necessary to stop additional water from leaking in your chimney. Don’t delay getting the roof repaired and the damage repaired and restored. Trust our IIRC-certified restoration technicians to handle every step of the process. We work safely and efficiently to get you back in your home as soon as possible.
Our team also offers other types of restoration solutions such as sewage backup maintenance, storm damage repair, flood damage restoration, and crawl space drying. Our team can arrive on-site within an hour of your call to get started. After an initial assessment, our technicians will begin the process to revive your property. Give our team a call by phone at (877) 589-7504 to book an appointment.
