Homeowners tend to maintain only what can be easily seen. It’s not until a problem develops do we realize there’s a roof on the house. What can be even worst is the lack of attention given to a chimney.
There are different types of chimneys on roofing systems. I thought I’d focus more on the more common brick chimney.
Brick chimneys are an important part of your home maintenance due to the moisture and condensation brought out by the heat and air conditioning from the inside and the heat and cold temperatures from the outside.
The brick chimney has a metal counterflashing installed at the base of the chimney for protection. If the counterflashing is not cut into the mortar joint the caulking will loosen and moisture will make its way inside of the building. If the flashing is not constructed of aluminum, painted steel or galvanized steel, over time it will rust. If you’ve ever touched rust, the orange color steel particles end up on your fingers. Ultimately, it will run down your roof and stain the shingles. That is an undesirable sight.
Showalter Roofing sprays the chimney with a seal coat or silicone so the chimney remains water resistant. Some bricks are more porous, and will absorb additional water than other bricks. The chimney cap is made from concrete that too can break up over time. If water gets its chance to get inside the chimney cap, the chimney will need to be tuckpointed or completely replaced. A costly issue. There are coatings which protect against water penetration called Crown Coat, a great product that Showalter frequently uses.
This summer, be sure to look on top of the roof. Be sure to check your shingles and the chimney.
