Barrie Wett Inspection for Chimneys

Barrie WETT Inspections provides Certified Inspections

Many people think heat is the main cause of damage to their chimney.  They are wrong, the main cause of most chimney damage is actually by water.  Rain and snow will cause more damage than chimney fires.  Although chimney fires can occur it is the relentless onslaught of moisture that wears away at your chimney 24/7.

Whether your chimney is masonry or factory-built, long term water exposure can eventually cause cracks or gaps in chimneys where creosote can accumulate and will increase the risk of a chimney fire or even provide passage for dangerous carbon monoxide gases to enter your living areas of home.

What are the clues to a potential problem with your fireplace or Factory Built Chimney?  If your Stainless Steel chimney has visible rust stains then you should have it professionally evaluated before it fails.  The rust could be on the outside or the inside of the chimney.  To do a proper evaluation of a chimney or fireplace you should always have the chimney cleaned first.  That layer of soot or glazing could be hiding rust or a cracked flue tile which could lead to a chimney fire.

Water penetration is not good in any area of your home.  It will damage chimneys and exterior finishes.  I often tell my clients that it is good idea to outside your home during a hard rain and see where your water is actually going.  You can easily identify low areas and even gutters which may require a deflector to properly contain water runoff.

Look for bent, damaged or missing flashing.  The metal flashing around your masonry or factory built chimney (as well as the caulking as well) are designed to keep water out.  They must be intact and in good condition to work well.  These can become warped or damaged over time and cause water intrusion and eventual water damage.

If you don’t have a rain cap get one now, preferably one with a screen.  This will keep snow and rain from entering your chimney and creating damage to your liner.

If a masonry chimney – consider having waterproofing applied to the outside – a proper material will allow moisture to escape out but
prevent it from entering the masonry.  Clay brick are susceptible to moisture damage and brick spalling.  Prevention will save you hundreds of dollars in the future.