If you’ve lived around the Montgomery County area for awhile, then you know that rain and snow are a fact of life. Unfortunately, with all that water, comes worry about how moisture can impact different parts of your home – namely, your chimney. If “chimney waterproofing near me” is filling your search engine lately, then you know what we’re talking about. The good news is that we have solutions!
The big question we get: Is chimney waterproofing worth it?
And our answer? Yes – and we’ve got the whys, hows, and whens to prove it. If you need to schedule an appointment, Mid-Valley Chimney has your back. Give us a call or book online with us today.
Chimney waterproofing is the process of adding a layer of moisture protection to your home’s masonry chimney system. During the process, our expert technicians will apply a special water repellant to the exposed parts of your chimney. This product essentially tells all that water to take a hike and stay out of your chimney.
Chimneys can be made from materials like masonry, cement, and stone, all of which all have different porosity levels. This is why our expert technicians will choose the best waterproofing product for your chimney’s specific needs.
Why Is Chimney Waterproofing Important?
Have you heard the adage, “Prevention is the best cure”?
Well, you can think of waterproofing your chimney as the best prevention against unwanted water making its way into your chimney and home. Since the majority of the chimney structure sits outside of your home, it’s exposed to the elements year round.
Your chimney has two major roles:
- send smoke and other unwanted by-products up and out of your home
- keep water and debris out of your fireplace and firebox
We get plenty of customers that ask us if waterproofing is actually necessary since chimneys are designed to keep this stuff out, and the answer is…yes! Most chimneys are made of porous materials like brick, cinder blocks, or stone. These materials, by nature, are going to absorb a good amount of moisture. The more moisture they absorb, the more likely they are to deteriorate and break down over time…which will only lead to even bigger problems.
We had a customer once call us out to waterproof his chimney, only for us to have to tell him his chimney was far beyond being helped from waterproofing. The key here is to get it done before the problems can start. Better to be safe now than sorry later, right?
How Long Does Chimney Waterproofing Last?
The great thing about waterproofing your chimney is that it’s an investment that can last many years. Typically, customers can go at least 10 years before needing to have their chimney waterproofed again. The longevity truly depends on what type of elements your chimney is subjected to and how well the process was done in the first place. We like to recommend our customers have it done at least every 8 – 12 years to be on the safe side.
Here at Mid-Valley Chimney, we love to educate our customers about their chimneys, so they can know what to look for and when they should give us a call.
When it comes to signs that your chimney may need to be waterproofed, be on the lookout for any cracks or crumbling in your bricks or mortar. If you see anything like this, you definitely want to call us right away. We can talk you through what repairs will be needed before we start the waterproofing process.
You can also be on the lookout for any signs of efflorescence. This is a powdery white residue that forms when the water absorbed in your bricks pushes the salt inside your masonry to the outside.
And, of course, if you are seeing any type of water inside your home (think on the walls or ceilings near the fireplace), or around or inside your chimney, stove, or fireplace, that could signal a leak somewhere in the system. Don’t panic if you see any of these signs… Just give us a call, and we’ll get you taken care of in no time.
Book Chimney Waterproofing With Us
The bottom line is that having a professional crew – like the team here at Mid-Valley – inspect and waterproof your chimney is the best way to get the job done right and get the lasting protection you deserve. We have the knowledge and experience to make sure that your specific chimney’s needs are completely accounted for.
Whether you have more questions about the process or you’re ready to schedule your waterproofing service, our friendly staff is here to handle all of your chimney needs. Give us a call today, so we can get you and your chimney taken care of.