Masonry water repellent
Brick and mortar are treated with a breathable siloxane or silane repellent to slow freeze-thaw damage.
Masonry Repair
Chimney Waterproofing Somerdale, NJ
A Somerdale chimney technician can apply a siloxane-based water repellent to chimney masonry, after cracks, joints and the crown are repaired. Call (856) 344-1158 to reach a local chimney sweep.
Brick and mortar are porous, and a chimney soaks up a surprising amount of water every time it rains. That water freezes in cold weather, breaking brick faces off and loosening mortar, and it also carries salts to the surface as white efflorescence. The goal of waterproofing is to keep that rain on the surface so it runs off.
Choosing the right product is the whole job. Chimney masonry needs a vapor-permeable water repellent, usually siloxane or silane based, that soaks into the brick and repels liquid water while letting water vapor out. Film-forming sealers and paint trap moisture behind them, which leads to peeling, spalling and crumbling.
Waterproofing does not fix damage, it protects repairs. Repellent cannot bridge cracks or open joints, so the crown, joints, flashing and cap are repaired before it goes on. After the repairs cure, the masonry is cleaned and allowed to dry before treatment.
Depending on what the sweep finds, chimney waterproofing in Somerdale, NJ can go hand in hand with chimney leak repair and chimney tuckpointing.
Looking for Somerdale chimney waterproofing? Call (856) 344-1158 to talk to a local chimney sweep.
Call nowThe process
How chimney waterproofing works
Waterproofing is only as good as the repairs and prep that come before it.
Inspect the chimney
The chimney is inspected for cracks, open joints and failing parts that repellent cannot fix. Any existing paint or sealer is noted, since it affects what can be applied.
Make repairs first
Cracked crowns, open joints, spalled brick and failed flashing are repaired before any repellent goes on. The repellent waits until the repairs have cured.
Prep the surface
The brick is cleaned of dirt, efflorescence, moss and loose material. Clean masonry absorbs the repellent evenly.
Wait for dry weather
The chimney needs to be dry so the product can soak in. A dry forecast on both sides of the job gives the best results.
Saturate the brick
The breathable product is applied generously so it penetrates the masonry. The crown typically gets a separate flexible crown sealer.
Water test
Once cured, water should bead on the brick instead of soaking in. Treated masonry should look and breathe the same as before, with no shiny film.
What is included
Waterproofing work a chimney sweep handles
Flashing check
Flashing is checked and resealed or repaired where needed so water does not get in at the roof line.
Crown coating
Hairline crown cracks are sealed so the top of the chimney stays watertight.
Efflorescence cleaning
The brick is cleaned of mineral deposits and growth without damaging the brick face.
Chimney caps
An open flue gets a screened cap which protects the damper and flue tiles.
Related service
Chimney Sealing Somerdale, NJ
When people talk about sealing a chimney, they usually mean closing up all the ways water gets in. A complete job seals crown cracks, closes flashing gaps, caps the flue and treats the masonry with a vapor-permeable repellent. Breathability is the rule for every masonry product.
In Somerdale, one of the most common chimney mistakes is sealing brick with paint or a glossy sealer. Paint and non-breathable sealers hold water inside the brick, and winter freezing then breaks the brick apart. If something has already been applied, mention it so the technician can choose a compatible approach.
Local help
Chimney Waterproofing Near Me
Chimneys in Somerdale see rain, snow and freeze-thaw cycles that test any masonry year after year. From Somerdale out to neighboring communities such as Magnolia, Stratford, Echelon and Lawnside, chimneys that were sealed with paint or non-breathable coatings often show the worst spalling, so a breathable repellent applied after repairs adds years to the masonry.
For chimney waterproofing in Somerdale, NJ or nearby towns like Magnolia, Stratford, Echelon and Lawnside, call (856) 344-1158 to reach a chimney sweep who covers your street.
What the local climate does to a chimney
Winters here are long and cold, and the heating season usually runs from October well into April. The hardest thing on brick here is not the cold itself but the constant swing above and below freezing: rain and melting snow soak into the crown and joints, then freeze and push them apart, and each winter widens the cracks a little more. Nor'easters drive rain sideways into flashing and mortar that looked fine in summer. Most homeowners in Somerdale, NJ schedule a sweep in early fall, and a repair check after a hard winter.
Why call
Why not wait
Safer fires
A chimney problem fixed early rarely spreads to the masonry, the liner or the house.
Sweeps who know Somerdale
Chimney sweeps in Somerdale know the chimneys and fireplaces common in local homes.
Straight answers
Ask your questions before you agree to anything.
Common questions about chimney waterproofing
What kind of sealer should be used on chimney brick?
Breathable, penetrating repellents made for masonry are the right choice. They stop rain from soaking in but let trapped moisture out. Non-breathable sealers trap moisture and damage the brick.
Why would I waterproof my chimney?
Waterproofing with a breathable repellent can greatly reduce how much water the masonry absorbs, which slows spalling, efflorescence and freeze-thaw damage. It protects repaired masonry, but cannot stop water coming through cracks or failed flashing. Chimneys that see a lot of weather benefit most.
Does waterproofing stop a chimney leak?
Waterproofing helps if the brick itself is absorbing water, but most chimney leaks come from somewhere else. The usual leak sources need their own repairs. Repair the source first, then waterproof.
How often should a chimney be waterproofed?
Expect several years of protection, with the exact life depending on product and weather. Once water no longer beads on the surface, the treatment is wearing off. A yearly chimney inspection can check its condition.
Will painting the chimney keep water out?
Painting a chimney to waterproof it usually causes more harm than good. Water still gets into the masonry through cracks and joints, and the paint keeps it from drying out. Use a breathable water repellent instead.
More questions? Call (856) 344-1158
Other services that may help
Chimney Leak Repair
Stopping chimney leaks at the source, before the water rots framing or ruins the flue.
Learn moreChimney Tuckpointing
Grinding out worn mortar joints and packing them with fresh, matched mortar, so rain stops getting in through the joints.
Learn moreChimney Crown Repair
Repairing the concrete slab that caps the top of the chimney, before freeze-thaw damage spreads down the chimney.
Learn moreChimney Cap Installation
Putting a sturdy cap on top of the chimney so water, birds and debris stay out of the flue.
Learn more
Looking for something else?
See all chimney servicesNeed chimney waterproofing in Somerdale, NJ?
Call (856) 344-1158 for a local chimney sweep in Somerdale and nearby towns.
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