Waterproofing chimneys the careful way in Lake Magdalene

New brick and rebuilt sections wait before treatment

When part of a chimney has just been rebuilt, the new masonry is still giving off construction moisture. Treating it too soon traps that water. One common repellent label asks for at least 28 days of cure on new masonry and concrete before application.

If your chimney in Lake Magdalene has had recent rebuilding, our pros schedule the waterproofing for after that cure period and tell you the date plainly. The repair and the treatment appear as separate lines in your estimate, each with an upfront price.

Protecting glass, roofing and plants

The chemicals in masonry coatings are strong. The Brick Industry Association warns that they can etch glass, damage paint and kill vegetation, and calls for protecting nearby surfaces from overspray.

Before the first coat, our team covers windows, skylights, painted trim and garden beds near the chimney, and keeps an eye on the wind. That preparation is included in the price we quote for your Lake Magdalene home, and the site is cleaned up when the work is done.

Damp inside by the fireplace has several possible causes

A damp patch indoors is not always rain soaking through the brick. National Park Service guidance notes that water in masonry most often comes from roofs, gutters, missing mortar and cracks, and that a repellent will not cure condensation or moisture rising from below.

Our pros look at the whole picture, inside and out, before recommending anything for your chimney in Lake Magdalene. If the source is somewhere a repellent cannot reach, we tell you, and we point you to the repair that will actually stop it.

Tracing the water before treating the brick

Finding the source of water penetration and completing repairs come before any repellent in Brick Industry Association guidance. The note lists caps, flashing, sealant joints, mortar joints and brick units among the places to inspect.

Our specialists follow that order on every chimney in Lake Magdalene. We start at the top, work down to the roof line and finish at the fireplace wall inside. By the end of the free visit you know where the water is coming from and which repair stops it.

• The chimney top, crown and cap
• Every face of brick and every mortar joint
• The roof connection on all sides
• Stains, soft paint or damp spots indoors