Vancouver Chimney Leak Repair 

 When you have a chimney leak, your home is at risk every time it rains. And the results of a leaky chimney can be frustrating, costly, and even hazardous to your health:

• Rust streaks
• Water damaged walls and ceilings
• Corroded chimney caps, chase tops, and flue liners
• Cracked fireboxes and crowns
• Cracked mortar joints and crumbling brick
• Wood rot in attics
• Musty odors
• Mildew

Chimney repair and restoration maintains the structural integrity and safety of a chimney. Over time, chimneys can suffer from various issues such as cracks, leaks, deteriorating mortar, or damaged bricks due to exposure to weather elements or age. Professional chimney repair services address these problems by repairing or replacing damaged components, restoring the chimney to its original condition. Restoration may involve tasks like repointing mortar joints, replacing bricks, installing a new chimney cap or crown, or repairing the chimney liner. Timely repair and restoration not only ensure the safety of the chimney but also help to preserve the aesthetics and value of the property.

But whether the leak is new or advanced and you’ve already spotted damage, we can help.

We’ve been working hard to prevent and stop chimney leaks in Vancouver and the Lower Mainland for a while now, and we’re proud of our track record. From minor leaks to major leaks, we have the equipment, experience, and diagnostic tools and techniques to find the cause fast and make repairs that last.

The key to fixing a leaky chimney is figuring out what’s causing it to leak in the first place. Most often, a leaky chimney can be traced to the crown, the flashing, the chimney cap, the chase top, or the masonry. When damage occurs in these areas, water gets in and causes big problems.

When we’re called about a leaky chimney, one of the very first things we do is get up on the roof and look at the chimney crown. That’s because, in our decades of experience, we’ve learned that the chimney crown is often to blame. This cement covering that lays over the top of the chimney is what keeps rainwater, sleet, and snow from coming down into the chimney top. But when it doesn’t stop the water, there’s a problem.

If your chimney crown is leaky, chances are it’s because of one of these things: The chimney crown has deteriorated or developed cracks. The chimney crown wasn’t constructed the right way when it was installed. Let’s talk about each of these issues and how they become such a problem…

First off, there’s the possibility that the crown has deteriorated or developed cracks and is now letting water into the chimney. How does this happen? Well, it can happen as a result of this killer combo: moisture + temperature changes. Moisture from rainwater, sleet, or snow gets absorbed bit by bit into the crown — possibly through hairline cracks or just because the material used to build the crown is naturally porous. But the trouble comes when temperature fluctuations are introduced.

This process is known as the freeze/thaw process, and the movement that the moisture creates inside the crown can cause a lot of damage — including bigger cracks and fractures. Which means even more ways for water to get in and cause damage in the future. Another cause of crown cracks and deterioration is age. The wear and tear that comes with storms and house settling over time can eventually cause small cracks to get bigger, and crowns to crumble and deteriorate.

And the final most common cause of leaky chimney crowns is bad construction. Specifications for proper crowns include a thickness of at least a few inches at their thinnest point, a drip edge that extends beyond the chimney chase, and a slightly downward angle on each side of the crown. If built properly and well maintained, a chimney crown shouldn’t leak. But if it was poured too thin, built flat, or made without a drip edge, leaks are pretty much inevitable.

 Do You Have Chimney Leaks? Your Flashing May Need Repair

Water leaking in the chimney is a common problem for many homeowners throughout The Lower Mainland BC. After a significant rain event like a snowstorm or heavy rain, you may see water stains on your ceiling or hear dripping water inside the chimney. These are typical signs that the chimney flashing may need repair or replacement, so it is best the call the pros to prevent further damage to your chimney and fireplace

.A leaky chimney can be a frustrating and expensive problem to have, especially if it’s misdiagnosed. And that’s exactly what oftentimes happens with flashing leaks. Homeowners see signs of a leak, and because of where the water and water damage is, they assume it’s a problem with the roof. But if you spot wood rot and water damage in your attic or water stains on your ceilings and walls, you may have leaky flashing, not a leaky roof.

Flashing is the sheet metal that covers the base of the chimney and the area of the roof that surrounds the chimney. Trouble is, if it’s installed wrong, lifted in any spots, or rusted through, it will fail to stop rainwater from getting into the chimney and home.

These are the most likely reasons your flashing is leaking:

1. Bad install — A lot of times when we look at leaky flashing, we find that it wasn’t installed right in the first place. Maybe the pieces of flashing weren’t tightly installed in strategic layers and water is somehow getting through. Maybe there were too many nail holes used and water has started to get in through the rusted nail holes. Poor flashing installation is a leading cause of chimney leaks, so if you’re not sure how well yours was installed, that’s one of the first things to check.

• Worn/rusted — Flashing needs to withstand rainwater, as well as occasional snow and sleet, so it should be made out of a strong metal that’s rust-resistant. If it’s not, it’s only a matter of time before water will rust through and wear out the flashing.
• Storm-damaged — Sometimes, even strong, properly installed flashing fails, and that’s usually because of storm damage. Strong winds can pull flashing away from the roof or chimney and leave openings for water.

The good news is we can seal your flashing for leak protection, using powerful and effective waterproofing products from us. These products are designed to provide years of water protection to your flashing, so you can cross “leaky flashing” off your list of worries. Finally, you can stop checking your weather app every 5 minutes!

When flashing is missing or in such poor shape it needs to be replaced, we can help with that, too. We expertly install copper and lead flashing, and we guarantee leak-free, beautiful results.

Do you hear water drip, drip, drip down into your fireplace every time it rains? Is a family of birds, squirrels, or other critters living in your chimney rent-free?

The good news is: the solution to your problem is relatively easy and affordable.

The bad news is: if you don’t act now, the damage could be pretty costly.

So what’s causing your chimney leak or letting critters into your chimney? It can all be traced back to one very important area of the chimney: the chimney cap. 

If you have water coming into your chimney when it rains or animals making their way into your chimney, the most likely reason is that your chimney cap is damaged or missing.

Chimney caps are metal coverings that attach to the top of the flue and act as a barrier for rain, birds, insects, and animals. Most have a screen that acts as a spark arrestor as well, preventing hot ashes from the fire from exiting and causing fires on your property. Chimney caps can also prevent wind-induced downdrafts, but their #1 purpose is to keep things out of the flue. That includes water, twigs, leaves, birds, and animals.

So what goes wrong and allows chimneys to leak? Well, a lot of times strong winds and storms blow chimney caps off of homes, and homeowners don’t notice or know. We get our fair share of strong storms here in the area, which is why proper chimney cap installation is so vital.

Another way caps can lead to leaks is if they’re rusted through or damaged by animals or storms. Holes may be present that may be allowing moisture and other undesirable things into your chimney. This is especially common if the chimney cap is made of a low-quality metal that isn’t rust-resistant or corrosion-resistant. If we get to your home and find that your chimney cap is missing or damaged and that’s what’s causing your leak, the good news is that the solution is fast and affordable.

If you need a new chimney cap, you’ve come to the right place. We keep many high-quality chimney caps in stock in various sizes and designs. Whether you want a cap that covers just the flue or one that covers multiple flues or the entire crown, we’ve got what you need. Our caps and specialty caps are made of stainless steel or copper — both materials are rust- and corrosion-resistant — and carry a lifetime warranty. Which means this is one purchase you’ll only have to make once.

 A chase cover is installed at the top of a manufactured chimney. Its function is similar to that of a chimney cap on a masonry chimney: it prevents water, snow, ice, leaves, twigs, and other debris from entering the flue. Additionally, it stops birds, bats, and other wildlife from nesting in the chimney, which can become a significant fire hazard.

Available in galvanized steel, aluminum, or stainless steel, a quality chase cover prevents water intrusion into the chase. Rusting or improperly installed chase covers are a common source of chimney leaks.

Chimneys and metal flue pipes aren’t always the most attractive things to have sticking up out of your roof, which is why many homeowners have structures built around these pipes. These are known as chases and they’re typically made to look like chimneys with siding.

If you have a prefabricated/factory-built chimney and you have a leak, one of the first areas to check out is the chase top. Chase tops are like metal crowns for metal chimneys, and they do exactly what their name implies: cover the top of the chase.

That means they keep water out, animals out, and debris out. But only when they’re in good condition…

The problem is: stock chase tops are often crafted from low-quality sheet metal that’s not very rigid, strong, or rust-resistant. So with time, pooling water, heavy snow, and ice can rust through the chase top or cause it to sag and collapse. Of course, that’s when you have a full-blown chimney leak.

So what can you do if your chase top is leaking?

Call US. We replace worn-out, rusty chase tops with stainless steel chase tops with cross breaks that make them stronger and less prone to sag and collapse. These cross breaks also encourage moisture to slide right off of the chase cover, which helps prevent leaks as well.

 And since our chase tops are made of stainless steel and expertly installed by one of our experienced chimney professionals, you can rest assured your leak will be taken care of for good.