Chimney Leak Repair
Water around a chimney can come from several places. Fixing the leak means finding which one, since patching the stain on the ceiling fixes nothing.
Where chimney leaks come from
A chimney is a tall, exposed structure with a roof joint, and water finds it from many directions. Fixing the right one is the whole job.
| Source | Typical clues |
|---|---|
| Open or cracked crown | Water enters at the top and runs down through the masonry or the flue. See crown repair. |
| Missing or damaged cap | Rain falls straight down the flue. Rust in the firebox or on the damper is a common sign. See cap replacement. |
| Failed flashing | Stains on the ceiling or wall near where the chimney meets the roof. See flashing repair. |
| Deteriorated mortar joints | Water enters the masonry sideways. See repointing. |
| Damaged brick | Water enters the brick faces that have spalled or cracked. See brick repair. |
| Stucco cracks | Water enters behind the coating. See stucco repair. |
| Condensation | Moisture from the flue, not rain, which is a different problem. |
Signs of a chimney leak
- Stains or peeling paint on a ceiling or wall near the chimney
- Dampness or water in the fireplace after rain
- Rust on the damper or in the firebox
- A musty smell that gets worse in wet weather
- White powder on the brick
- Crumbling mortar or brick that flakes off
How we find the cause
We inspect from the inside and the outside. We look at the top of the chimney, the flashing, the masonry and the flue, and compare what we see with where the water shows up inside. A leak at the ceiling is rarely directly under its source, so the pattern of stains helps point to the cause. Sometimes more than one thing is wrong, and we say so.
What repair looks like
Repair follows the cause. It may be as simple as a new cap, or it may involve resealing a crown, replacing flashing or repointing the masonry. We explain the options and which one the findings support. If the leak has already damaged the interior, we point that out, though repairing ceilings and walls is outside what we do.
A small leak does not stay small. Water that gets into masonry freezes, expands and breaks it from inside. Dealing with it early costs less.
What the work involves
How we handle a leak
- TraceWe follow the water from the stain to the source.
- ExplainWe show you what we found and what is causing it.
- RepairWe fix the cause, not only the symptom.
- CheckWe confirm the area is sealed and tell you what to watch.
Related services
Chimney Repair
The overview of the repair services.
Learn moreChimney Inspection
Find the source before repairing.
Learn moreChimney Caps
Keep rain out of the flue.
Learn moreChimney Waterproofing
A breathable repellent on sound masonry.
Learn moreChimney Chase Repair
Framed chimneys: water, rot and covers.
Learn moreWe work throughout New Jersey. See our service areas, or browse all services.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
How do I know the leak is from the chimney?
Stains near the chimney, dampness in the fireplace and rust in the firebox all point to it. Roof or plumbing leaks can look similar, so we look at the evidence before we say.
Can I just seal it with caulk?
Caulk fails quickly in the weather a chimney sees, and it can hide a cause that keeps getting worse. We recommend finding the source.
Will it leak again?
Not if the cause has been fixed correctly. We tell you what we repaired and what to keep an eye on.
Do you repair the ceiling afterward?
No. We repair the chimney. We point out interior damage so that you can have it addressed.
Ready to have your chimney looked at?
Call us, or send a scheduling request. We will contact you to confirm a time. Your appointment is not confirmed until we do.