Schedule an appointment TODAY! 512-702-7415

Our Company Blog

What Is Chimney Flashing & Why Is It So Important?

Keeping water out of your chimney is one of the most important maintenance responsibilities you have as a homeowner. The amount of damage and deterioration that water can do to a masonry chimney is extensive! Not to mention, the repairs can be very expensive. Neglecting those repairs can lead to serious structural problems, including the collapse of the chimney. How do you avoid this hazardous situation? By preventing water penetration of your masonry chimney. Atlas Chimney provides several different professional water penetration preventive services to protect your masonry chimney. For over 25 years, our Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA)-certified chimney technicians have been taking care of chimneys in the Austin area. So, you know you can trust our experience and professionalism. We would like to tell you more about chimney flashing, one of these preventive services we offer.

What exactly is chimney flashing?

The area where your chimney meets the roof is very vulnerable to water leaks. This is why a customized flashing system is the best way to protect this spot! Consisting of metal sheeting that is strategically layered around the chimney, a properly constructed flashing system provides a barrier against water penetration. How do you successfully keep water from entering the chimney at the roof? Well, there must be two layers of flashing in place, according to This Old House. The first layer of metal sheeting, step flashing, is attached to the shingles of the roof and lapped up the sides of the chimney. Counter-flashing, the second layer, is installed into the mortar joints and folded over to cover the step flashing. After the layering is complete, the corners are reinforced by applying high-quality urethane caulk to seal any gaps.

Why is flashing so important?

Without a flashing system to protect it, the area where the chimney meets the roof can be a place where water accumulates during and after a rainfall. This can lead to water leaking into the chimney. Water leaks can do a great deal of damage to your chimney and your home. This damage includes the corrosion of the metal components, including:

  • the liner and damper
  • spalling of the bricks and mortar
  • rotting of the wooden structure around the chimney
  • staining of the ceiling and walls in the room of your fireplace

Avoiding this damage is why it is so important to protect your chimney with a professionally built customized flashing system!

Not only does Atlas Chimney provide flashing construction and repair services. In addition, we can also prevent water penetration by waterproofing your chimney. Contact us today to keep water out of your chimney!

Spalling Brickwork: Why It Happens & How to Fix It

The bricks and mortar used to build chimneys are strong and durable enough to last for years. However, they can suffer from erosion damage, which is also known as spalling. This is from the constant exposure to the elements of weather. According to the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA), water can cause extensive and expensive damage to masonry chimneys! That’s why they recommend homeowners take preventive measures to protect their chimneys from water penetration.

For over 25 years, Atlas Chimney has been providing several professional chimney maintenance services. These prevent spalling damage, as well as chimney repair services, to fix any damaged bricks and mortar on your chimney. We would like to tell you more about spalling. In addition, what we can do to repair and prevent this type of chimney masonry damage.

How does spalling occur?

Masonry materials are naturally porous. This means the bricks and mortar of your chimney naturally absorb water every time it rains, sleets, or snows. Since your chimney is constantly exposed to the elements, there could be quite a bit of moisture within the masonry materials, and this causes erosion damage. The majority of spalling damage occurs during the winter, especially during any periods of freezing conditions.

Whenever the temperature falls below 32 degrees Fahrenheit, the moisture within the bricks and mortar freezes and expands. As the weather warms up, the force of the water thawing causes spalling to happen. Repeated freeze/thaw cycles over the winter can lead to the materials cracking, breaking apart, and even becoming loose from the chimney. These gaps and voids left behind allow more water to penetrate the chimney. This leads to more damage. If not repaired, the structure of your chimney can be in serious jeopardy and can even collapse completely!

How can Atlas Chimney help me with spalling damage?

Is your chimney is missing bricks or mortar joints? If so, our experienced chimney masonry technicians use specialized techniques like tuckpointing to repair the spalling damage. You can trust us to properly restore soundness to the structure of your chimney. By doing this, it prevents water leaks into your chimney and home. To prevent spalling from occurring, we provide professional chimney waterproofing services, which is a smart investment. A vapor permeable formula is applied to your entire chimney. It creates a barrier against water penetration and spalling for at least a decade!

Protect your chimney from extensive and expensive spalling damage. Contact us at Atlas Chimney to schedule an appointment for our professional chimney maintenance and repair services to keep your chimney safe and sound.

Recent Posts

Find Posts About