Published: June 11, 2010
Four Low-Cost Recommendations to Prevent Major Water Damage From the Chimney Safety Institute of America
PLAINFIELD, Ind. - (BUSINESS WIRE) - While it may be surprising, it is true that water causes more damage to
masonry chimneys than fire. Water
penetration can cause damage to your home including broken
brickwork, rusted fireplace dampers, rotted wood and ruined wall
coverings, cracked flue
liner systems and even deteriorated central heating systems. Water
damage to chimneys is usually a slow process which is easily ignored
until problems have become quite serious.
The Chimney
Safety Institute of America recommends four preventative measures to
help save homeowners the expense of large masonry repairs:
1. Install a Chimney Cap
A well-designed cap will keep out rainwater and will also prevent birds
and animals from entering and nesting in the chimney. Caps also function
as spark arrestors, preventing sparks from landing on the roof or other
nearby combustible material.
2. Repair or Replace a Damaged Chimney Crown
Crowns should project beyond all sides by two inches to help prevent
erosion of the brick and mortar in the chimney's vertical surfaces. A
cast crown with an expansion joint is an ideal long-lasting replacement
for the more commonly-found sand and mortar washes.
3. Repair or Replace Flashing
Flashing is the seal between the roofing material and the chimney that
prevents rain water from running down the chimney into living spaces
where it can damage ceilings and walls and cause rafters and joists to
rot.
4. Waterproof your Chimney
Common brick is like a sponge, absorbing water and wicking moisture to
the chimney interior. Defective mortar joints or the use of improper
mortar or brick can greatly increase the tendency to absorb and convey
water to the interior of the masonry chimney structure.
Annual
chimney inspections and preventative chimney maintenance is best
left to a qualified chimney professional, like a CSIA Certified Chimney
Sweep. Find a CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep and learn more about caring
for your chimney and home heating system online at www.CSIA.org.
The Chimney
Safety Institute of America is a non-profit, educational
organization dedicated to chimney and venting system safety. CSIA is
committed to the elimination of residential chimney fires, carbon
monoxide intrusion and other chimney-related hazards that result in the
loss of lives and property. To achieve these goals, CSIA devotes its
resources to educating the public, chimney and venting professionals and
other fire prevention specialists about the prevention and correction of
chimney and venting system hazards.
Chimney Safety Institute of America
Melissa Heeke, CSIA Director of
Communications & Marketing, 317-837-5362
mheeke@csia.org
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