Waterproofing chimney masonry after repairs in Olympia Heights
We repair the openings first, then apply a breathable repellent that keeps rain out and lets the brick dry.
- Owned and run locally
- Available for same-day service
- Fully licensed and insured
- Family owned and run
Clues that the brick needs a repellent or repairs
- Moss or green growth on the masonry
- Clear coating peeling off the brick
- Rust stains running down the brick
- Runoff streaks below the cap
Jump to
The order behind lasting chimney waterproofing
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.
The roof junction comes before treatment
Where the chimney meets the roof, water is handled by flashing, not by the brick. If the flashing is loose, rusted or cut short, water gets in there, and treating the brick above does nothing about it.
We check the roof junction while preparing a waterproofing scope. If it needs work, that goes on the estimate as chimney flashing repair, a separate item. Treating the faces while the junction leaks would leave the main water path open. Once the flashing is sound, the brick above it can be judged on its own.
Telling us about past leaks
Any history of leaks is useful when planning waterproofing. It tells us where water has got in before and whether those paths were repaired. A treatment is only worth applying once they are closed.
Tell us about stains, drips or damp patches you have seen, even if they stopped long ago. Mention any repairs made at the time. We check those areas closely. If an old path looks open again, it goes on the estimate as a repair ahead of treatment.
A top made of a different material
The top of a chimney may be a concrete crown, a stone slab or a metal cover, while the faces below are brick. Each material needs a product suited to it, or none at all. A brick repellent may not be right for the top.
We identify each material before choosing products. The faces get the repellent that suits their brick. The top is handled under its own item, whether that is a crown coating, a repair or simply leaving a sound top alone. The estimate shows which is which.
What we look at before sealing a chimney in Olympia Heights
- Earlier coatings or paint identified
- Sealant joints replaced and cured first
- Test area including patched sections
- Workmanship warranty on the application
What people ask before sealing a chimney
Can a repellent close cracks in the brick or the joints?
It cannot. Penetrating repellents work inside the pores, and anything wider than a fine hairline is beyond them. Open joints are repointed, cracked units replaced and gaps sealed before treatment. We list those repairs separately, with the reason for each.
Does waterproofing cover the inside of the flue or the firebox?
No. The treatment goes on the outside masonry only. The flue, smoke chamber and firebox face heat and combustion gases rather than rain, and masonry repellents are not made for that exposure. Interior problems belong to a different service, and we can note what we see.
How will I know if the treatment is still working?
Look at the chimney during and after rain. Treated faces should shed water and dry evenly. If a face darkens and holds water again, the treatment may be fading or something else has changed. A maintenance visit can check it and the parts it depends on.
More Ways to Care for Your Fireplace
- Firebox RepairRepair the damaged fireplace chamber using an approach suited to masonry or manufactured components.
- Ventless Gas Fireplace ServiceService the identified vent-free appliance without bypassing its required safety components.
- Stone Chimney RepairRepair affected stone chimney surfaces with the supporting construction and visual match considered together.
- Gas Fireplace VentingAssess and repair the gas fireplace vent arrangement using components suited to the identified system.
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