Leaking chimney repair for homes in Egypt Lake-Leto

The places water gets into a chimney

Chimney leaks start at a handful of parts, and our pros check each one on a leak visit, working from the top down.

The inspection is free, and the estimate lists each part that needs work on a separate line, which shows exactly what the leak repair involves.

• The cap and the open flue it should cover
• The crown on top of the masonry
• The flashing where the chimney meets the roof
• Brick faces and mortar joints on every side
• The chase top and siding on a framed chimney

A cracked crown lets water into the masonry

The crown is the concrete top of a masonry chimney. Florida's residential code, in section R1003.9.1, expects it to slope so rain runs off, with a drip edge underneath and a caulked bond break where the flue liners come through.

Cracks, broken edges and a flat top let rain soak into the brick below and run down inside the chimney. Our specialists tell you whether the crown can be sealed or needs rebuilding, and crown work is priced as its own repair.

Water repellent comes last

A clear water repellent can reduce how much rain brick absorbs, and it is often sold as the whole fix for a leaking chimney. Brick Industry Association Technical Note 6A advises considering coatings only after brick, mortar joints and other elements are repaired.

Our pros fix the openings first. Then, if the brick still takes on water, they discuss a penetrating, vapor-permeable repellent, the kind the technical note prefers, priced as a separate line.

Checking the repair after the next storms

The real test of a leak repair is the next hard rain. Our team asks you to watch the spot where water used to show and to note anything new.

If the area stays dry, the interior can be finished. If water appears, we compare its place and timing with the original leak and come back to look, because a second path sometimes shows itself only after the first is closed.