Chimney leak detection, then repair, in Harbordale
We cover an open chimney before leaving each day and haul away all debris once the job is done.
- Owned and run locally
- Available for same-day service
- Fully licensed and insured
- Family owned and run
Clues that a chimney is leaking
- Paint bubbling on the chimney wall
- Grit or mortar crumbs on the hearth
- Leak that appears only in strong wind
- Chunks of concrete or tile in the firebox
Jump to
The order we follow on each chimney leak
Where the water appears narrows the search
Different entry points tend to show water in different places. Water inside the firebox or on the damper often comes in at the top of the flue. A wet ceiling or wall around the chimney breast points more toward the roof junction. Damp brick on the outside face suggests the masonry itself.
These are starting points, not verdicts. Water can travel in unexpected ways, and two paths can be active at once. We use the location to decide where to look first, then confirm the source with what we find at the chimney.
Mark the edge of the stain
A pencil can tell you whether a leak is active. Lightly trace the outer edge of the stain on the ceiling or wall and write the date beside it. After the next rain, check whether the mark has grown past the line.
That simple record shows whether water is still coming in, and how much. It also helps us judge whether a repair has worked later on. Keep the marks until the leak has been found and fixed. Painting over them too soon removes useful evidence.
A new leak after a strong storm
After a strong storm, a chimney with no history of leaks may start. Wind can loosen a cap, bend a chase cover, lift metal at the roof line or crack a weak crown edge. Wind-driven rain then finds the opening.
Look at the chimney from the ground for anything bent, loose or missing, and stay away from anything that might fall. Describe what you see when you call. We check the top and the roof junction first, because those are the parts wind moves most easily.
Hearing drips inside the chimney
Some people hear water dripping inside the chimney during rain, even when nothing appears in the room. That sound usually means water is getting into the flue and landing on the damper or smoke shelf.
Note when you hear it and how heavy the rain was. The sound tells us the water is inside the chimney rather than in the roof. We start at the top and work down, checking the cap, the crown and the joint around the flue for the opening.
Checked during your free leak inspection
- Crown surface and edges
- Staged hose water test when the job calls for it
- Temporary protection listed on its own
- Ground and irrigation sources ruled out
Questions about chimney leak repair
What should I have ready when you come to look at the leak?
Your notes on when water appeared, pencil marks on stains, a clear path to the attic hatch and any papers from earlier chimney or roof work. Debris that fell into the firebox is useful evidence too.
How can the stain appear so far from the chimney?
Water rarely drops straight down from where it enters. It follows framing, the flue or the inside of a wall until it finds a way out. The mark shows the end of that route, and we trace it back to the start.
Can a missing cap let rain reach the firebox?
Yes. An uncovered flue lets rain fall straight onto the smoke shelf, the damper and the firebox floor. Rust flakes and wet debris there are typical signs. The cap work is quoted as its own item once the top is confirmed as the path.
More Ways to Care for Your Fireplace
- Wood-Burning Fireplace Insert InstallationFit a wood-burning insert after assessing its host fireplace and full connection requirements.
- Chimney TuckpointingRenew deteriorated mortar joints around chimney bricks that can appropriately remain.
- Top-Sealing Damper InstallationFit a top-mounted damper only after checking the fireplace, product restrictions and control route.
- Smoke Chamber RepairRepair identified smoke-chamber surfaces with the access and material requirements clearly defined.
Proudly American
Local service. Careful repairs. A fireplace worth coming home to.
Call Now (645) 465-4171We received your request
Our team will contact you to arrange your inspection.
Chimney & Fireplace Brands We Work With
DuraVent 
Olympia Chimney and Venting 
Copperfield Chimney Supply 
Rutland 
Heatilator 
Heat & Glo