Chimney waterproofing that lets the brick breathe in Wynwood

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.

Broken and flaking brick goes first

Brick with cracked or flaking faces lets water straight in, and a repellent cannot seal it. Brick industry guidance lists replacing such units among the repairs that should come before any clear coating.

We mark the damaged bricks during the inspection and list their replacement as a separate item. The treatment is then planned for the sound masonry that remains. If most of a face is damaged, we say so, because a larger masonry repair changes whether treatment makes sense at all.

What the waterproofing estimate lists

A waterproofing estimate should show the full sequence, not just the coating. For a chimney in Wynwood, ours sets out the following, with each repair on its own line.

Anything that could change the plan, such as an old coating found during the test, is noted with how it would be handled. Upfront pricing covers the listed items, and changes come to you before they happen.

• Repairs to finish first, such as joints, brick or the top
• Cleaning and the drying time before treatment
• The product named, and the faces it covers
• Protection for glass, roofing and plants

Trying the repairs alone first

Brick industry guidance suggests a sensible order: make the repairs, then wait and see whether the water problem is already solved before deciding on a coating. Often the repairs do most of the work.

If you prefer that approach for your chimney in Wynwood, we price the repairs now and leave the treatment as an option for later. After some heavy rain, you can look at how the chimney behaves. If faces still soak up water, treatment can follow. If not, you have saved the cost.