Chimney waterproofing that lets the brick breathe in Washington Park
Repairs and treatment appear on separate lines, so you can approve one now and the other later.
- Owned and run locally
- Available for same-day service
- Fully licensed and insured
- Family owned and run
Brick and joint problems to note before sealing
- Chalky deposits drying on the brick face
- Moss or green growth on the masonry
- Rust stains running down the brick
- Soil or mulch piled against the base
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Chimney water repellent work, explained plainly
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.
Removing paint to treat the brick
If a chimney is painted and you would like a breathable repellent instead, the paint has to come off first. Paint removal from brick is a job with its own risks. Harsh methods can damage the face of the brick and leave it more absorbent than before.
We explain whether removal is realistic on your chimney and what method would suit it. It is priced as its own item, with a test on a small area first. In some cases, keeping and maintaining the paint is the better choice, and we say so.
Seeing how the brick takes up water
Sometimes it helps to see how quickly a patch of brick drinks water. When the job calls for it, we wet a small area and watch how fast it darkens and how long it stays that way. Thirsty brick darkens at once. Dense brick lets water sit on the surface.
That quick look tells us whether absorption is really the problem and how the brick might take a repellent. It is not the same as tracing a leak. It is a simple check on the masonry itself, and we explain what it showed.
Footing and cover on the roof during treatment
Treating a chimney usually means working from the roof around it. Tile and some other roofing can crack under careless footing, and overspray can mark the surface. The roof needs as much protection as the windows below.
We plan where we will stand and where equipment will rest, and we cover the roofing close to the faces being treated. If a tile is damaged during the work, we tell you and deal with it. The roof around the chimney is left as we found it.
Included in your chimney waterproofing scope
- Cleaning method matched to the masonry
- Workmanship warranty on the application
- Base of an outside chimney checked
- Renewal check on a later maintenance visit
Asked often about sealing chimney masonry
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.
Is it worth protecting the brick on a chimney we do not use?
It weathers the same as one in use. Rain soaks its brick, and water that gets in can damage the masonry and the house around it. Repairs come first either way, and a breathable repellent can follow where the brick absorbs too much.
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
- Fireplace Hearth RepairRepair the hearth surface after considering the supporting assembly and fireplace requirements.
- Chimney Liner Installation and ReliningPlan a compatible chimney liner installation with the existing passage, connections and maintenance access considered together.
- Ventless Gas Fireplace ServiceService the identified vent-free appliance without bypassing its required safety components.
- Chimney TuckpointingRenew deteriorated mortar joints around chimney bricks that can appropriately remain.
- Stone Chimney RepairRepair affected stone chimney surfaces with the supporting construction and visual match considered together.
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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