Our Company Blog

Can Your Masonry Chimney Pass A Water Penetration Test?

The Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) has a stern warning for homeowners about the dangers of water penetration to the bricks and mortar of chimneys. They claim that water is the biggest enemy of masonry chimneys. They say this because of the amount of damage that water leaks can do to masonry materials like bricks and mortar. Keeping water out of your chimney is one of the most important maintenance tasks you have as a homeowner.

How do you protect your chimney from water leaks?

Atlas Chimney can help you protect your chimney from water penetration. Not only do we sell and install chimney components, such as chimney caps and flashing systems, we also provide chimney waterproofing services. These services will greatly reduce the amount of water damage to your masonry chimney. We are proud to say that the waterproofing formula we use allows masonry materials to pass a water penetration test. We would like to tell you more about this test, the type of damage water can do, and how we can prevent water leaks in your chimney.

What is a water penetration test?

Using a RILEM or Karsten tube, you can test to see exactly how much water is absorbed by masonry materials over a short amount of time. This YouTube video shows you how this quality control test can measure the rate of absorption of bricks and mortar joints. In the video, you will see exactly how a water repellent formula prevents water from being absorbed into a brick. Also, how quickly water absorbs into an untreated masonry material.

How does water penetration damage a chimney?

Since masonry materials like bricks and mortar are porous, moisture can get trapped inside these materials. Erosion damage from water absorption can happen all year long. However, the worst of this damage occurs in the winter. When the temperature falls below 32 degrees Fahrenheit, the moisture inside the bricks and mortar freezes and expands. As the weather warms back up, the force of this water thawing can cause the masonry materials to crack and break apart. Repeated freeze/thaw cycles over the winter can lead to serious structural issues for your chimney.

How can Atlas Chimney keep water penetration from damaging my chimney?

Our CSIA certified chimney experts can inspect your chimney and make masonry repairs if we find any damage. Once repaired, we will apply a waterproofing formula that is 100 percent vapor permeable. This feature is important because, while the formula creates a barrier against water penetration, it will allow vapors to pass through. So now, they can no longer become trapped, which causes even more structural damage. After waterproofing your chimney, every brick and mortar joint will be able to successfully pass a RILEM tube water penetration test.

Protect your chimney from water penetration and freeze/thaw damage. Contact us today at Atlas Chimney to schedule an appointment for our waterproofing services!

We Are Looking for Quality Workers

As we are heading into our busiest time of the year, Atlas Chimney is looking to hire quality workers. While previous chimney experience is a plus, it is not a requirement as we have available driver and manual worker positions. If you live in the Austin area and need a job, we can help you if you love working with your hands and are in good physical condition. We are proud to offer competitive pay and flexible hours to our employees. We would like to tell you a bit more about the qualifications we are looking for as well as about the possibility of becoming a certified chimney sweep for us.

What are the requirements for working at Atlas Chimney?

As mentioned above, previous chimney experience is not required, but we are looking for applicants with experience with working on ladders and roofs. We also are in need of workers who have solid trade skills. We also require that our employees have dependable transportation and a clean driving record. If we feel you would make a good addition to our growing team, you will have to agree to both a background check and a drug screening before we can offer you employment.

How can I become a certified chimney sweep?

At Atlas Chimney, we are proud to offer chimney maintenance, repair, and installation services from technicians who have been certified by the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA). We enjoy helping our workers begin their careers as chimney sweeps with us, and we offer education and training through the CSIA. If you are interested in becoming a certified chimney sweep, the CSIA  is the industry standard for the certification process. After you purchase the necessary texts for the CSIA certification program, you will then enroll in a week-long online review session. Once you have completed the review session, you have up to one year to take the Certified Chimney Sweep exam. This exam includes a one hour exam based on two of the required texts, Successful Chimney Sweeping and the National Fire Protection Association 211, and a 90-minute exam based on the International Residential Code. After you pass this exam, you will sign the CSIA Code of Ethics and pay your annual certification fee to become a CSIA-certified chimney sweep. Once you have received this certification, Atlas Chimney will welcome you to our team of CSIA-certified sweeps.

If you are looking for a job in the Austin, Texas area, Atlas Chimney is hiring! Contact us to be considered as a new member of our growing team.