Chimney and fireplace repair help for homes in Melrose Park

Finding a chimney leak is detective work, and the hose water test is one of its tools rather than the first thing we reach for. Most leaks can be traced by looking. A cracked crown, a missing cap, open joints and loose flashing usually leave clear signs. Masonry water guidance treats those parts as a single system, which is why we look at all of them before blaming one.

When the evidence still points two ways, a controlled hose test settles it. Water is run on one part of the chimney at a time, starting low and working up, while someone watches inside for the leak. Testing each part separately tells you which one fails, rather than proving only that water gets in somewhere.

Our family team uses that method in Melrose Park when the job calls for it and explains why before starting. As a locally owned business, we do not charge for the inspection that decides whether a test is needed. Tell us when the leak shows up, how long after the rain starts and whether wind direction seems to matter.

Keep a towel or bucket under any drip and note how much comes through. A rough note of the weather each time helps, such as heavy rain with wind from one side or a long steady shower. If the leak has happened only once, say that too, because a single event after a strong storm points to different parts than a leak that follows every rain.

After the free inspection, a 10% discount goes to any service you approve inside 72 hours. The free written estimate names the source, the repair and any follow-up test, with upfront pricing. We clean up any water and debris from the work. What was tested and what was repaired both go into the written record, and our workmanship warranty backs the repair.