Finding the chimney leak and fixing it in Ives Estates
A free inspection, findings that separate the proven from the possible, and an estimate you approve first.
- Owned and run locally
- Available for same-day service
- Fully licensed and insured
- Family owned and run
Leak signs worth reporting in Ives Estates
- Musty smell near the fireplace after rain
- Rust streaks down the chimney or chase
- Dark brick patches long after rain stops
- Chunks of concrete or tile in the firebox
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Chimney leak repair in Ives Estates, step by step
Water on a lower floor
In a two-story house, water from a chimney leak can appear on the ground floor rather than near the roof. It runs down inside the wall along framing or the chimney itself before it finds a way out. The mark may be some way from the chimney.
List every wet spot you have found, including ones that seem too distant to matter. We follow the likely routes from the top of the chimney downward. If a spot looks like it has another source, such as a window or plumbing, we say so rather than tying it to the chimney.
The joint where the chimney meets the house
An outside chimney meets the house wall along a vertical joint. That joint should be closed with flashing, sealant or both. When it opens, rain can run behind the siding or stucco and appear inside near the fireplace.
Because the joint is on the wall rather than the roof, it is easy to miss. We check it during every leak inspection on an outside chimney. Resealing it is often a small item, while any damage to the wall covering is a separate matter.
A leak in a chimney nobody uses
A chimney that sits unused still stands in the weather. Rain that gets into it can damage the masonry, rust the damper and stain the walls, whether or not a fire is ever lit below. Leaks in chimneys that nobody uses tend to be found late because nobody looks.
A retired fireplace still deserves an occasional look at its top and its roof line, and a maintenance visit is a natural time for it. Should that look turn up a leak, the repair is exactly what it would be on a chimney used every week.
Holding off on fires until it is checked
If water is getting into the chimney, wait to use the fireplace until it has been looked at. Wet debris, a rusted damper that sticks and damp masonry around the firebox are all worth checking first.
The leak itself may not make a fire dangerous, but the conditions it creates can. Tell us whether you have been using the fireplace and whether anything has changed in how it works. The inspection covers what the water may have affected inside the firebox and flue.
Parts of a chimney leak job we price
- Attic framing and insulation near the chimney
- Nearby roof openings ruled in or out
- Earlier patches and coatings noted
- Debris cleaned up and hauled away
Plain answers about leaking chimneys
Where does water usually get into a leaking chimney?
The usual entry points are the top of the flue, a cracked crown, the roof junction, the masonry faces and, on framed chimneys, the chase cover. Where the water shows inside gives a first clue, and the inspection confirms which part is responsible.
Is there a charge for the leak inspection?
The inspection costs nothing, and neither does the estimate that comes out of it. If more investigation is needed, such as opening an area, it is offered as a separate item that you approve before it happens.
Do you handle leaks on metal chimneys inside a framed chase?
Yes. On those chimneys the cover over the chase, the storm collar around the flue pipe and the siding below are common paths. Replacement parts for a listed chimney must be the ones its maker specifies.
More Ways to Care for Your Fireplace
- Chimney Animal RemovalAssess occupied chimney openings and plan appropriate follow-up cleaning or entry protection.
- Firebox RepairRepair the damaged fireplace chamber using an approach suited to masonry or manufactured components.
- Prefab and Zero-Clearance Fireplace RepairIdentify and repair manufactured fireplace components using the appropriate model information.
- Gas Fireplace VentingAssess and repair the gas fireplace vent arrangement using components suited to the identified system.
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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