Spring Rain and Your Chimney: Why Waterproofing Matters in New Hampshire
When winter is over, many homeowners neglect their fireplace since they no longer use it as much as in the colder months. However, as the season changes to spring, it brings a new set of elements that your chimney must deal with – spring rains. While most homeowners welcome the coziness of the spring rains, allowing you to enjoy time indoors, it can pose a risk to your chimney. Spring rains might be necessary for the renewal of the season, but they can have damaging effects on your chimney.
Discover the benefits of waterproofing your chimney to protect it against spring rains.
How Does Rain or Water Damage Your Chimney?
Water is essential, but excess water and moisture can damage your chimney. Chimney structures are built to withstand extreme elements, but water and excess moisture can have the highest impact on damage.
Bricks are a common material for building a chimney, and they are naturally porous. While this characteristic makes them ideal for chimneys, it also makes them more prone to water damage.
When it rains in New Hampshire, the bricks within the chimney structure absorb the water. As the water accumulates, it can lead to various issues, such as chipping, cracking, or spalling. As the water is absorbed into the chimney structure and winter comes, the moisture freezes and then thaws during the warmer season, repeating the cycle repeatedly. The freeze/thaw cycle can be highly devastating to the structure’s overall integrity.
The vulnerability causes masonry damage that results in chimney leaks, the surest sign of water or rain damage. When there is a leak, it can lead to other fireplace issues while also damaging the surrounding fireplace components. Therefore, you must hire a professional to fix your chimney if you see cracked or missing bricks and dampness in the chimney walls.
Here are the common signs of water damage to your chimney so you are aware of when it needs waterproofing and repair:
Water staining on the chimney walls
Dripping noises to your fireplace
Presence of water in the firebox
Rusting metal components
Masonry stains
Proof draft
Musty odors (could indicate mold or mildew from the moisture)
Any visible gaps, holes, or cracks
Rotting wood components
These chimney leak signs are not easily visible, especially to the untrained eye. Therefore, they stress the importance of having an annual chimney inspection to detect damage in a timely manner.
Why Waterproofing Your Chimney Matters
Waterproofing chimneys is the best way for NH homeowners to protect it from water or rain damage. It is beneficial during spring rains when consistent exposure to moisture can lead to masonry damage. However, waterproofing protects not only against rain but also against other elements, such as ice, snow, and other sources of moisture.
When you hire a chimney cleaning service to do the waterproofing, they will examine the chimney to determine the extent of damage. The next step is to apply a waterproof sealant to the chimney exterior to prevent water or any moisture sources from penetrating the masonry materials.
If you’re worried about the water inside the brick from being stuck, the best waterproof sealants are vapor permeable. This material allows the excess moisture within the bricks to escape through vapor form. Hence, you can eliminate excess moisture within the chimney while preventing added moisture from being absorbed.
Waterproofing your chimney is a form of preventive maintenance. Keeping your chimney in good shape is part of your regular maintenance routine. Before applying the waterproof sealant, any gaps or cracks within the bricks and other parts of the chimney structure must be fixed first. Otherwise, waterproofing won't work or will provide insufficient protection. Only after the repairs are complete should you add the protective barrier.
You must hire professionals to waterproof your chimney. It isn’t a DIY job, especially if you want to protect your chimney from most elements. If you were to tackle this job yourself, the tendency is to cover up any cracks or leaks in the chimney using a store-bought sealing agent. These products won’t get the job done and the issue will persist, if not worsen over time.
Even if you don’t see signs of water damage, it is recommended that you install a waterproof sealant on your chimney structure. This helps prevent water damage and extend the life of your chimney.
Other Ways to Protect Chimneys from Water Damage
Rain is an inevitable part of the spring season. However, you should not feel hopeless about your chimney. Besides waterproofing, there are other ways to protect it from water damage and excess moisture. These tips will help keep your chimney from the elements.
Place a chimney cap. Installing a chimney cap or repairing your existing cap is another way to protect your chimney from the rain, aside from waterproofing. It prevents rainwater from traveling from the chimney into the fireplace. Once installed, you must keep your chimney cap in excellent condition as part of your annual chimney inspection and maintenance.
Put a top-sealing damper. This tip will help protect your chimney using a heavy-duty gasket from the rain and other harsh elements.
Repair the chimney flashing. A failed chimney flashing is the leading cause of leaks and water damage. The good news is that it is easy to repair or relatively inexpensive to replace. A chimney flashing consists of metal strips that cover the tiny gap between the chimney and the roof. Using a flashing sealant can help prevent damage to the flashing.
The Bottom Line
Are you worried about the detrimental effects of the spring rains on your New Hampshire home? Any investment you pay toward waterproofing your chimney and conducting annual inspections can go a long way in extending the chimney's lifespan. Don't wait for damage to become visible before you call the professionals. During this time, damage is so extensive that it is costly to repair, or you may need to replace the entire chimney structure.