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!

A Storm Collar Helps Keeps Water Out of Your Chimney

Keeping water out of your chimney is one of the most important tasks you have as a homeowner. Water can do a lot of expensive damage and deterioration to your chimney, fireplace, and even the interior of your home. When water leaks into your chimney, it can cause the metal components like your damper and liner to corrode and break apart. It can create water stains on your ceilings and walls. It can rot wooden structures that surround your chimney. Not only can water deteriorate the parts of your chimney and home, but too much moisture in your chimney can also lead to mold growth. Here in the Austin, TX area, we can see quite a bit of rain each year, and Atlas Chimney has been working to prevent chimney water leaks in the Austin area for over 25 years. Our staff knows the best ways to keep water out of your chimney, and we can make sure your chimney is leak-proof. One of our preventive measures we use is a storm collar as part of a flashing system. We would like to tell you more about storm collars and how they are an important part of a good flashing system.

Courtesy of Jerry Isenhour

What is a storm collar?

If you have a prefabricated chimney, you most likely will need a storm collar, also known as a chimney collar, to prevent rain from getting into the space where the chimney pipe meets the roof. Storm collars are usually integrated into the flashing system around your chimney. Similar to a chimney cap for masonry chimneys, storm collars are different because they fit onto the chimney pipe instead of sitting on top like a chimney cap does on a masonry chimney. Unfortunately, storm collars do not last forever, and you will eventually have to replace this important part of your chimney system.

How do I know when I need to replace my storm collar?

According to the Home Guides at SF Gate, you should replace your storm collar if you see water in the attic or water stains on the ceiling in the same room as your fireplace.

What exactly is a flashing system?

To protect the vulnerable area around your chimney where it meets the roof, a flashing system is constructed of sheets of metal that are strategically layered on the roof and wrapped around the chimney. Flashing provides a watertight barrier that keeps water from entering at this point. Over the years, Atlas Chimney has seen many poorly installed and damaged flashing systems, and we not only repair these types of flashing systems, but we can also construct new customized flashing systems that will keep water from leaking into your chimney. When our customers have a prefabricated chimney that consists of a metal pipe, we always use a storm collar as an important part of the flashing system.

Keep water out of your chimney this spring and summer. Contact us at Atlas Chimney to find out if a flashing system with a storm collar is right for your chimney.