If Your Chimney Is Leaking, Trust Garden State for All Leak Repair Needs
It’s a crisp fall evening. The kids are home from school, a stew sits simmering on the stove… The plan for tonight? Popping in a spooky movie and carving some pumpkins, the whole evening warmed by the glowing ambience of a home fire.
Only, when you go to spark the flame, you hear a faint drip…drip…drip. Your firebox is damp and there is a faint musty smell wafting from the chimney. You realize with a sudden start that you completely forgot to schedule your yearly chimney inspection – and now the system is leaking.
Fortunately, if you’re a homeowner in the greater Passaic County area, Garden State Chimney is here for all of your chimney and fireplace needs. From annual maintenance (like a chimney cleaning) to full masonry rebuilds to comprehensive chimney leak repairs and more, we’re equipped to address all of your chimney damages and needs. Hey, we’ll even break out the dancing shoes and…“brush” up on our Mary Poppins choreography if you so desire – as long as you ask nicely, that is.
Want to learn more about our company, talented technicians, and all the many services we offer? Feel free to peruse our website, and if you’re interested in speaking with someone from our team, you can fill out a contact form or give us a call at 973-519-0802. We’d love to work with you!
What Chimney Leak Repair Services Does Garden State Chimney Provide?
We know firsthand how frustrating a chimney leak can be – especially when you just want to enjoy your fireplace. Considering there are a multitude of reasons you might be experiencing a leaky chimney, we have an extensive list of services that are sure to not only find the root cause, but also repair it.
We offer the following leaky chimney repair services:
Chimney Cap Installation/Replacement
It’s hard to get a good view of your chimney’s cap from the ground, but if any part of the metal structure appears to be corroded, damaged, or just plain not there, it’s definitely one of the main culprits contributing to your leaky chimney problem. Fortunately, it’s also an easy fix. We’ll check out what’s going on and be sure to set up your chimney for future success by installing a high-quality cap, appropriately fitted to the specifications and dimensions of your flue.
Crown Repairs/Rebuilds
All too frequently, we find that many chimneys were built with an improperly constructed crown. Oftentimes when masons are finishing up the final steps of building the chimney, they’ll use any leftover mortar as a makeshift crown. The problem with this is that mortar is not water-resistant and over time will begin to crack and crumble, exposing the chimney chase to the harsh outdoor elements.
If you’re noticing bits of mortar around the base of your chimney or scattering your roof, it’s possible that the crown is cracking. The good news is that we can tear apart the deteriorating chimney crown and pour a new one with the right tools and materials, so that you don’t find yourself in a similar situation later.
Stainless Steel Chase Cover Installation/Replacement
Do you have a chase cover instead of a crown? This would definitely be the case for a prefabricated system, but could be for some masonry setups too. Whether it’s a matter of degradation over so many years of being exposed to the harsh reality of New Jersey weather or your system has experienced something horrible, like a chimney fire or a natural disaster, your chimney chase cover could be suffering.
No need to worry, though – we have a wide selection of stainless steel chimney chase covers that are sure to not only provide full coverage protection for the whole chimney, but will also give your entire home a sleek new look.
Flashing Repair
Flashing is one of those things that seems to often get overlooked. After all, it’s not really “part” of the chimney’s structure, but yet it also is not exclusive to the roof either. Actually, there is a lot of back and forth between who to call for matters concerning your flashing – roofers or chimney specialists – because it is located in such a precarious position.
However, because it is vital in protecting both your home and the rest of your chimney structure against water damage, always call in professional chimney sweeps (like us) to repair or replace your flashing. We know roofers are excellent at what they do, but we know chimneys – and the way to properly install flashing to seal up any junctures between your home and your chimney, protecting it all.
Chimney Relining
Even though it’s hidden safely within the walls of your chimney, if your liner becomes damaged – particularly as a result of any of the above – it will only make matters worse and contribute to the leaking. The chimney liner does a lot in ensuring that the entire system is suitable for operation, and if it is damaged in any way, water can leak in through any cracks, gaps, or holes. No matter your existing liner or the type of chimney, we have a relining solution to best fit your needs.
Chimney Waterproofing
Did you know that even bricks are not safe from the destructive powers of water? Regardless of whether you have a masonry chimney or one paneled in wood, water can, eventually, permeate it all. That’s why professional chimney waterproofing is so important when it comes to long-term protection. Here at Garden State, we know the percentages of properties, like vapor permeability and breathability, and only use products we trust to stand the test of time.
Why Is My Chimney Leaking?
Now that you have a better idea of the services we provide to help fix a leaky chimney, let’s talk a bit more about the causes. While we hesitate to ever classify anything as absolute or concrete, there are a handful of general commonalities when it comes to a leaky chimney.
What are the most common reasons for a leaky chimney?
- Damaged or missing chimney cap. Without a properly functioning cap, it’s not only water that has easy access to the inside of your chimney flue, but animals and flying debris too.
- Deteriorating, incorrectly built crown. Simply put, a well-made chimney crown is built to last. If it’s falling apart all over your roof, it’s also allowing water in. The same goes for a chase cover that is old and corroding – if there is any rust or the presentation of weak metal, it will more easily give way to water’s persistence.
- Incorrectly installed or damaged flashing. Without an adequate seal between the chimney and the roof, water has a direct path into your home.
- Damaged or missing flue liner. No matter where, no matter how, if there’s a way in, water will always find it. Regardless of the cause, if your flue liner is not fully intact and free of any damage, using your fireplace can put you at risk for more than just leaks.
- Inadequate waterproofing. While there are numerous waterproofing products available on the market, not all are created equally. Unless the job was done by industry experts, there’s no way to know if your chimney was properly weather treated.
Have you noticed something a little off with your chimney or fireplace that we haven’t mentioned here? Are you tired of grabbing the buckets every time it rains? If you live in Northern New Jersey, there’s no one better to solve your leaky chimney mystery and restore it to its former glory than the team at Garden State.
You can reach us through our website or by calling 973-519-0802. Let’s get your chimney repaired in time for fall!
Can I Fix a Chimney Leak Myself?
Short answer? No.
Long answer? As we’ve discussed throughout this page, there are a whole lot of different factors that could play into why your chimney is leaking. And without years of experience and expert industry knowledge, it can be quite the challenge to not only decipher what is causing the leak (it’s not always initially obvious), but to then know how to fix it sufficiently and efficiently.
We fully support your desire to take on new hobbies and tackle some DIY home projects, but attempting to fix your own chimney leak by yourself? Not wise.
Even if you’re trying to save a buck by repairing this yourself, we can assure you that relinquishing this task to professional chimney technicians is a much better use of your time and money. Just think about how much more you’d be spending if your unguided tinkering led to further damages. Plus, here at Garden State Chimney, we’ll never take you for a ride when it comes to our pricing.
If you’re concerned about the cost of a leak repair service or are simply curious about obtaining an estimate, reach out. We’d be happy to set up a time to chat and discuss our service and product pricing. Request your appointment online, or give us a call at 973-519-0802.
How Can I Tell if My Chimney Is Leaking?
Sometimes, a chimney leak is painfully obvious, like a drip heard ‘round the room. Other times, you may not even know your system is compromised. In any case, it’s good practice to keep an eye out for the following signs:
- Strange musty or moldy smells
- Water stains on the ceiling and/or around the chimney
- Signs of corrosion or rust covering any metal parts
- Crumbling or missing mortar between bricks
- Any discoloration
- General system-wide inefficiencies
- Signs of wood rot
- Flaking, spalling, and/or cracking brickwork
- Water dripping or beginning to pool on floor of the firebox
Are Chimney Leaks Preventable?
Yes, they are. It may sound a bit surprising, but so long as you are keeping up with the required annual maintenance services, your chimney should never suffer from a leak – unless, of course, the cause is something out of your control.
Also, keep in mind that run-of-the-mill chimney leaks – the ones that only happen when maintenance is neglected – typically won’t be covered by insurance for related repair costs. However, as long as you have a record of your yearly services, like inspections and chimney sweepings, you shouldn’t have any issue submitting a claim to your insurance, should something like a natural disaster or severe storm cause your system to leak.
If you have yet to schedule your sweep and/or inspection, it’s not too late. Give us a call sooner rather than later, so we can get you in before our busy season is here.
Ready To Schedule? Give Us a Call Today
You work hard to enjoy all those little things in life, like time spent with family and the pleasure of warming up in front of your fireplace. We work hard to make that happen. Don’t let a leaky chimney or damaged fireplace get you down. Trust Garden State to fix it up right, the first time.
Schedule your leaky chimney repair by filling out our online form or by giving us a call at 973-519-0802. We’re the premier chimney service provider throughout Northern New Jersey, and we look forward to seeing what we can do to help make your life that much easier.
Don’t hesitate – call Garden State!
Regardless of the chimney or fireplace repair you need, the pros at Garden State Chimney can take care of it with friendly efficiency. Contact us today to see for yourself.