This guide is focused on water repellents for chimneys.
One of the things many homeowners dread is to have water or moisture issues with their chimneys. Part of the requirements for maintaining a functional chimney is to ensure it is properly waterproofed.
Now, there are lots of water repellent products for chimneys you can easily apply to chimneys.
When applied, they serve to protect your chimney from water absorption. We’ll be looking at different aspects of chimney water repellent use. By the end, you should have a grasp of what it’s all about.
Chimney Problems Caused by Moisture
Before we focus on the main point of our discussion, it will be necessary to first consider common moisture problems in chimneys.
In other words, let’s consider chimney damage caused by moisture.
There are three types of chimney damage attributed to moisture presence. These include damaged or worn-out mortar, spalling, and rusting (liner deterioration).
So, how does each of these conditions play out? You’ll need to read along to find out.
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Damaged or Worn-Out Mortar
Long after a chimney is built, what plays out in a situation where repeated weather action occurs. Speaking of repeated weather action, freeze-thaw cycles come under focus.
The expansion and compression caused by freezing and thawing slowly weaken the mortar.
With damaged mortar comes a steady deterioration of chimney bricks. This is caused by water absorbed into such mortar from rainfall or atmospheric moisture.
So, the logical preventive action to take is to simply waterproof your chimney surface to keep out water.
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Spalling
Bricks are porous and will easily absorb water or moisture.
Like mortar, water trapped within bricks freeze and thaw due to temperature changes in winter. Now, tiny bits of bricks break off or disintegrate. This condition is known as spalling.
When ignored, spalling might get worse. By their nature, bricks provide support to the entire structure. When weakened, the entire structure becomes a safety concern as its chances of crumbling increase.
Applying a chimney water repellent can help save the situation.
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Rusting and Liner Deterioration
Moisture presence in chimneys doesn’t only affect the masonry work but also other key chimney components. Such components include the firebox, damper, and other metal parts.
Rusting is a real threat posed by moisture presence.
What more? Moisture damage to the tile liner is a possibility. Your ceilings and walls can also get damaged when there’s a crack in the flue. In a nutshell, all the problems mentioned above are tied to moisture presence.
This makes it abundantly clear that moisture is a clear issue that should be tackled decisively.
How Chimney Water Repellents Work
If you’ve read through to this point, it will be evident that there’s a clear need to keep moisture out of your chimney system. However, keeping out moisture completely won’t be possible due to weather action.
Nevertheless, chimney water repellent products are available to provide a significant amount of protection.
These products create a seal or film across treated chimney surfaces, thus trapping water vapors. Not only do these chemical products seal brick surfaces, but their active ingredients also penetrate deep into the brick for added protection.
The good part is the look of your chimney isn’t altered at all. Yet, you get an added layer of security that keeps out water.
Chimney Water Repellent Benefits
If you’re looking for some motivation on chimney water repellent use, you’ll need to consider the benefits derived.
Such chemical products help to prevent fungi & staining, enable you to save on future repairs, slow down chimney damage and increase chimney efficiency.
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Prevention of Fungi & Staining
Whenever you have a leaky chimney, one of the first things you’ll notice is staining caused by water.
This is known as efflorescence. With a change in your chimney’s natural appearance, an eyesore is created.
A chimney water repellent helps you avoid all that.
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Saving on Future Repairs
You won’t need to act or move a finger to experience chimney deterioration. Chimney damage happens naturally.
However, a product like a chimney water repellent provides the waterproofing needed to keep your chimney in good working condition. This helps you save on future chimney repairs.
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The Slowdown of Chimney Damage
It’s inevitable for a chimney to deteriorate over time. This is a natural process of wear and tear that occurs with all similar structures. However, the process can be slowed down with the right maintenance approach.
A chimney water repellent helps with such.
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Enhanced Chimney Efficiency
If you’ve experienced chimney leakage in the past or currently do, you’ll notice that water dripping down from the chimney top affects the quality of combustion.
All that can be prevented easily with a simple application of chimney water repellent.
Chimney Water Repellent Products
Tons of chimney water repellent products are available in the market for interested buyers. These belong to several brands some of which are reputable.
Some popular products include Dry-Treat Stain-Proof Premium Impregnating Sealer and Eco Advance Concrete/Masonry Siloxane Waterproofer,
More chimney water repellent products include Rainguard Blok-Lok Professional Grade Water Repellent Sealer, ChimneySaver Water Repellent, and Chimney Brick Sealer Clear Water-Based Siloxane Sealer.
Chimney-RX Brushable Chimney Crown Repair is another crown sealer product to consider.
There are lots of other chimney water repellent products we won’t be able to include here due to space. However, a simple online search will turn out lots of results.
You’ll need to look out for customer reviews about these products.
In terms of the cost range, typical costs for these products range from $50 to $200 depending on volume, brand, and other factors.
Waterproofing Your Chimney Using a Water Repellent
Ordinarily, a chimney waterproofing job should be performed by a licensed and professional chimney contractor.
Under such circumstances, there’ll be no need to discuss how the procedure is performed. However, we’ve included simple chimney waterproofing steps to take for persons seeking to carry out such a procedure.
First, you’ll need to measure the surface area of your chimney to know how much material is needed. Next, the chimney will have to be cleaned with non-target areas protected.
This helps you avoid discoloration on such surfaces during product application.
Minor cracks will have to be fixed before the water sealant is applied. You’ll have to ensure you choose breathable water repellent for the job. These help with moisture escape.
Now, apply the product across targeted surfaces before cleaning up the work area.
The information provided here touches on the basics of chimney water repellent use. With this information, you’re better equipped (knowledge-wise) to perform such a procedure.