Local pros for chimney leak repair in Sun City Center

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

The joint where the flue tile leaves the crown

Where the flue tile rises out of the crown there should be a flexible joint, so the tile and the crown can move separately. Brick Industry Association Technical Note 19B also calls for the flue liner to extend at least two inches above the crown.

When that joint cracks open, water runs down the outside of the tile inside the chimney. Our pros reseal or recut the joint as part of a leak repair when it is the path, often without touching the rest of the crown.

The storm collar around the chimney pipe

Where the metal chimney pipe passes through the chase top, a storm collar sheds water away from the opening. One manufacturer's installation instructions call for sealing the storm collar where it meets the pipe.

A loose or unsealed collar lets water run down the outside of the pipe into the chase. Our specialists reseat and reseal it with parts that suit the chimney system, following the maker's instructions where the label can be read.

Rust on the damper and in the firebox

A damper that has rusted stiff, flakes of rust on the firebox floor and a musty smell from the fireplace are signs that water has been reaching the inside of the chimney for some time.

The top of the chimney is checked for the source, and our specialists look at the damper itself. If it needs repair or replacement after the leak is fixed, that is priced separately so you can decide.