Waterproofing that protects chimney brick in Broadview Park
The estimate names the product, the faces it covers and the repairs that must come before it.
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Marks of water soaking into chimney brick
- Moss or green growth on the masonry
- Uneven color across repaired sections
- Damp lower courses near the ground
- A sealing quote with no product named
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Keeping rain from soaking into chimney brick
A water repellent is not a waterproof coating
The two terms get used as if they meant the same thing. They do not. A waterproof coating seals the surface against liquid water and water vapor alike, and it is usually opaque. A water repellent keeps liquid water out of the masonry while still letting vapor pass.
Chimney waterproofing, done properly, means the second kind. Brick has to be able to dry, and a coating that seals it tight can hold moisture inside. When we talk about treating your chimney, we mean a breathable water repellent, and the estimate names the product so there is no confusion.
Why nearby windows need masking
Clear masonry repellents react with silica, and glass is made largely of silica. If spray lands on a window and is left to cure, it can leave a haze that is hard to remove. Product instructions spell out how to protect glass and what to do if it gets hit.
We mask windows and skylights within reach of the spray before any application. If a window cannot be masked, we use a method that keeps the product off it and clean it promptly. Tell us about any special glass near the chimney, such as a decorative window.
Dealing with an earlier coating
A chimney may have been treated before, sometimes with a product nobody can name. An old coating can change how new treatment behaves, and some coatings stop a repellent from soaking in at all. It can also make the brick look different from patch to patch.
Tell us what you know about past treatments on your chimney in Broadview Park, even roughly. The test area shows how the surface responds. If an old coating has to come off, that is a separate job with its own method and limits, and we discuss it before including it. The estimate is built on the surface as it actually is.
Treatment goes on dry masonry
A repellent applied to damp brick does not soak in well. Worse, if it does bond, it can hold that moisture inside the wall, because liquid water cannot pass back out through the treated surface. Preservation guidance warns against treating a damp wall for exactly this reason.
We check that the masonry has dried properly before application. After rain or cleaning, that can mean a wait. If the brick stays damp for reasons of its own, such as moisture from inside, we look for that cause before any treatment is considered.
Your free waterproofing inspection covers
- Sealant joints replaced and cured first
- Named penetrating repellent and its data sheet
- Plants below the chimney protected
- Firebox and flue interior left out
Questions about chimney waterproofing
Which products do you use on chimney brick?
Breathable penetrating repellents, usually siloxane or silane types, from makers that publish full technical data. The product has to list your masonry as a suitable surface. The estimate names it, so you can read its data sheet before you approve anything.
Will the treatment change how my chimney looks?
A suitable penetrating repellent is usually close to invisible once dry. Some products darken certain brick slightly, and film formers can leave a sheen. The test area lets you judge the look first, and if you dislike it, we discuss another product or no treatment.
How long does chimney waterproofing take from start to finish?
It depends on the repairs needed first, the curing and drying time and the weather. The application itself is usually the shortest step. The estimate sets out the stages in order, and a dry weather window decides the final date.
More Ways to Care for Your Fireplace
- Chimney Cap Installation and ReplacementProtect the chimney opening with a cap chosen for its fit, attachment and compatible system.
- Smoke Chamber RepairRepair identified smoke-chamber surfaces with the access and material requirements clearly defined.
- Chimney Damper Repair and ReplacementRestore a usable damper mechanism after checking the plate, frame and control linkage.
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Chimney & Fireplace Brands We Work With
DuraVent 
Olympia Chimney and Venting 
Copperfield Chimney Supply 
Rutland 
Heatilator 
Heat & Glo