Local chimney waterproofing pros in Westchase

Water repellents and waterproof coatings are different products

The National Park Service draws a clear line between the two. A water repellent keeps liquid water out while letting water vapor pass through the masonry. A waterproof coating seals the surface against both, and that group includes bituminous coatings and some elastomeric paints.

On a chimney, sealing in vapor is a problem, because any moisture that does get into the brick has nowhere to go. That is why our specialists use breathable repellents on chimney faces. When a product is sold simply as a sealer, we read its label before it goes anywhere near your home.

The crown gets its own repair

The top of a masonry chimney takes more water than any brick face. For masonry chimneys, the residential volume of the Florida Building Code asks in section R1003.9.1 for a cap of concrete, metal or stone, edged with a drip and sealed to each flue liner by a caulked bond break.

A repellent on the vertical brick does nothing for a cracked or flat crown, and BIA notes that coatings cannot stop water that gets past an ineffective cap. Our pros check the crown on every waterproofing visit and price any crown repair as a separate line.

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 Westchase. 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

Sometimes the repairs are enough

The Brick Industry Association advises waiting several months after repairs before deciding whether a water repellent is needed, because moisture problems are often corrected by the repairs themselves.

Our family-owned team respects that advice. If your chimney in Westchase needs repointing or a new crown, we may suggest doing that first and checking the brick after some rain. If it still soaks up water, the treatment makes sense.