The southern United States receives a lot of rain. From afternoon thunderstorms to hurricanes, Southerners are very used to wet weather. However, many people don’t think about the effects that rain can have on their chimneys. Unfortunately, water damage can wreak havoc on masonry, or brick, chimneys.
Two ways to prevent water from damaging your chimney are a sealant and a chimney cap.
Sealant for Masonry
Many chimneys are made of brick. Brick chimneys are constructed of a variety of masonry and metal materials. These chimneys are made from mortar, brick, concrete, stone, flue tile, steel, and cast iron. All masonry chimneys contain some combination of these materials. Unfortunately, some of these materials can be damaged from exposure to water.
All the materials, except the stone, deteriorate faster as a result of prolonged contact with water. Typically, masonry is quickly damaged when repeatedly exposed to freeze-thaw stages. This is when water that has seeped into the materials freezes and expands, causing stress on the brick and other materials.
Also, water in the chimney can cause rust on the steel and cast iron. Rust weakens or destroys the metal parts.
A sealant can stop water from getting into your chimney. A sealant is a waterproof coating that blocks water and protects the brick. Applying a sealant will stop water from ruining your brick chimney.
Chimney Caps
At the top of the chimney is a chimney cap. This can also be called a rain cover. This is one of the least expensive ways a homeowner can prevent water from damaging the chimney.
Chimney caps act as a barrier against water. The seal the opening of the chimney to make sure that no water can enter the flue. Chimney caps protect against leaks and water damage inside the chimney.
Chimney caps are an important part of chimney safety and damage prevention.
There are a few ways to seal chimneys. Preventing water from entering the chimney is an easy way to make sure it lasts a long time. Your local chimney experts at Sootmaster are here to help. We can make sure your sealant and chimney cap are working perfectly. Call today to schedule an inspection.