If you’re wondering, “Why does my chimney leak?” Let HUDCO Roofing & Exteriors help you out! Does your chimney have water filtering through the chimney edges? Chimneys are crucial elements for many homeowners. But they can also be a source of problems. After years of withstanding heavy storms and weather effects, it is not rare to have chimney leaks and grave damage. This situation can lead to several problems, including water damage to your roof’s structure.
Chimney Leak Symptoms
If you have a chimney, you may have observed water pouring down the wall or heard water dripping inside the chimney. Also, you may have seen a fresh stain or watermark on the ceiling and wall near it.
If any of these occur, there may be a leak in the chimney. A leak can take several forms. These are the five most telltale signs of a chimney leak:
- Discoloration on the ceiling or wall near the chimney
- Water trickling down the chimney’s inside.
- Old, rusty, worn-out, or broken flashing requiring replacement.
- Cracked or rotting exterior walls.
- Missing a chimney cricket
3 Common Issues in the Chimney Area
Chimney cracks, damaged flashing, and damaged siding are all common issues. These things may cause a leak in the chimney and roof damage. If you have seen any of these warning signals, it is time to call HUDCO Roofing & Exteriors for a free chimney and roof inspection.
HUDCO Roofing and Exteriors will evaluate the damage to your chimney and recommend the most effective course of action. Here are several common causes of water damage:
Broken Step Flashing and Missing Kick-Out Flashing
At all chimney wall transitions, your roofer must install step flashing behind and along the roof’s side. This step flashing keeps the joint between it and the wall watertight. Also, it serves to fortify the joint between the roof and the chimney. Kick-out flashing is used on many chimneys to redirect water away from the outside walls. L-shaped step flashing is installed along the transitions for additional security.
Likewise, kick-out flashing direct rainwater into a gutter or away from an unaffected area. Your installer will position this flashing at the border of the step flashing.
If the step flashing or kick-out flashing is absent, improperly fitted, or exposed to weather, or if a nail breaks the seal, water will sweep in. Therefore, substantial damage will accrue over time if you do not channel the water away from vulnerable areas.
Rotting and Cracked Chimney Siding May Cause a Leak
There is no way to keep water away from the siding at the roofline. So, it will cause it to contract and expand over time. The result might be a broken, brittle appearance.
Set back the siding between 1 1/2 and 2 inches to prevent water from penetrating the roof. Siding damage is only one result of water seeping in via cracks in the roof or chimney. The wood behind the siding will also suffer damage. Hence, if you do not fix the cracked and damaged siding on the chimney soon, it will cause many problems. First, remove the damaged siding. Then, repair the space behind it. Besides, when removing and replacing the damaged roofing deck, install ice and water protection and replace flashing and siding.
Why You Need Chimney Crickets to Avoid Leaks
When water collects near the chimney’s foot, it might seep inside. The installation of a chimney cricket at the chimney’s back base will prevent water from entering the weak spot. Cricket is a little triangular roof that projects the main roof, directing water away from the chimney’s foundation.
To properly channel rainwater, the roof’s peak and slope must be steeper than the roof’s base. Does the chimney require a new or larger cricket? You can determine it by looking at the surrounding region. To prevent further damage, contact HUDCO Roofing and Exteriors to have a new frame, decking, underlayment, flashing, and shingles or metal installed at the chimney’s back base.
Chimney Leaks and Repairs
If you ignore the warning signs of a chimney leak, it can cause expensive structural damage to your house. The rot, mold, and degeneration that result from water damage and dampness around your chimney are inevitable.
HUDCO Roofing & Exteriors can provide you with the help you need. Getting in touch with us can be done by calling us at 225-414-6153. We service areas in Alexandria, Houma, and Ruston, LA.