Chimney Waterproofing Near You: Give Your Brick Chimney the Protection It Needs

If you want to protect your chimney against costly damage and keep it looking great, we can’t recommend chimney waterproofing services highly enough to our customers in Charlottesville, Madison, Afton, Ivy, Ruckersville, and beyond. Masonry chimney waterproofing is the best way to guarantee your system stands tall and strong far down the road. Reach out now with questions or to schedule an appointment.

Why Our Masonry Waterproofing Services Stand Apart

There’s a reason chimney sweeps advise against applying store-bought waterproofing products as a DIY weekend job. Many of these advertise lasting protection, but only if reapplied time and time again over the years. In addition, these tend to lack the necessary breathability your chimney needs to vent out vapors through the brickwork, as well as get rid of pre-existing moisture. Rather, they simply trap everything inside, meaning damage can continue to occur.

Our masonry waterproofing sealants offer a vapor-permeable seal, allowing any pre-absorbed moisture the opportunity to escape, while simultaneously stopping any outside water from coming in. And it lasts for years, so it’s not a service you’ll have to invest in time and time again. Worried it will make your chimney look glossy or coated? Don’t stress. When our waterproofing work is done, your chimney won’t look any different.

Considering all the chimney leak repair money masonry waterproofing can save you, there’s really no reason not to invest in this service. Let’s talk about what can happen if you don’t protect your masonry chimney.

"I needed an emergency chimney repair ASAP and The Chimney Guys did everything they could to quickly resolve the problem, efficiently and thoroughly. Everyone I spoke to was knowledgeable and friendly. Good customer service is hard to find these days. I totally recommend them."

-Jennifer P.

Water & Masonry: What Is the Freeze/Thaw Process?

What happens to masonry that’s left exposed and vulnerable to water damage? Well, the biggest thing you’ll have to worry about, especially here in the Charlottesville area where temps get low, is the freeze/thaw process.

Here’s what happens:

• Water gets absorbed into any cracks, holes, or gaps it can find in the brickwork.
• When temps drop below freezing, this water freezes and expands.
• The expanded water (now ice) puts a lot of stress on the bricks and mortar.
• This extra pressure causes cracking and crumbling to occur.
• More cracks and pathways are now open…for even more water to enter.

Typically this process will occur multiple times a season too – sometimes multiple times per day. By the time spring rolls back around, your masonry will have multiple problem areas, and it will be holding a lot more moisture than it had a few months ago. As this moisture sits, it will continue breaking things down until next winter when the freeze/thaw cycle will start all over again.

With freeze/thaw damage, you could go from thinking your chimney is just fine one Christmas to dealing with serious structural issues the following year. And remember – the freeze/thaw damage isn’t the only type of water issues you’ll be faced with. Water can cause mold growth, mildew accumulation, rusting in metal components, rotted wood, interior wall staining, and a whole lot more.

When it comes to water and your chimney, the issues are far and wide. Waterproofing protects you against it all.

Can I Waterproof My Chimney Myself?

When it comes to your chimney, most services aren’t suitable for DIY – and with chimney waterproofing, things are no different. It’s important to remember that when you own a fireplace, you are actually building a fire inside of your home, and it’s vital that the firebox and chimney are protected to ensure flames don’t spread. This isn’t an area where you want to take any chances.

If your DIY chimney waterproofing attempts fail, water damage could get worse – and you could be at greater risk of a house fire or even exposure to deadly carbon monoxide. When you trust a chimney expert, you’ll know that your system is getting the full-coverage application it needs to withstand even the harshest weather days.

Another reason not to go the DIY route is that a lot of store-bought paints and sealers trap moisture inside of the brick. Our professional-grade vapor-permeable products, on the other hand, ensure your chimney can still vent out the moisture inside, along with any necessary water vapor.

Before Chimney Waterproofing, You May Need to Schedule Masonry Repairs

One thing to keep in mind before you schedule waterproofing services for your chimney is that these sealants are only effective if they’re applied to chimneys that are in good shape. If your chimney has major structural damage – or even minor damage, for that matter – fireplace repairs will need to be made prior to applying a waterproofing agent.

How do you know if your chimney needs repairs first? Easy – schedule a chimney inspection. This will give us the opportunity to look everything over and tackle any repairs, so that your preventive maintenance can actually prove effective over time.

Charlottesville Go-To Chimney Sweep Provider: We Want to Hear From You

If you want to get all of the benefits of chimney waterproofing, contact The Chimney Guys to schedule an inspection. We serve all of Charlottesville and the cities nearby, as well as the following counties: Greene, Orange, Albemarle, Nelson, and Madison. It would be our privilege to help keep your chimney water-free and looking beautiful for years to come.

Call or request an appointment online to get started.

Part of our leaky chimney solutions include chase cover installation. Let us set you up right.