Why is My Chimney Leaking?

In an interview with Charles a veteran Mason for over 20 years.
Many homeowners are baffled as to how to trouble shoot the source of a chimney leak in their home.

Charles recommends homeowners to check their ash pit for the source of the leak.
You can tell by cleaning out the box in basement. There are 2 reasons that are most probable due to this ongoing problem :

Reason #1 The Chimney foundation block may be below grade, and not properly tied into basement block during construction. I see these problems quite often.Sometimes masons are to lax to spend the extra time toothing block in to a basement wall.Blocks are butted up to wall with a continuous vertical joint where in time if not water proofed properly there is mortar rot in time due to wet conditions below grade.

Water creeps in and ends up in ash pit in basement .Water cannot flow into drain tile because there is a concrete base installed during the original chimney construction.

Charles has found this a flaw and have corrected this problem by hand digging or excavating around chimney foundation to footing. He also reroutes drain tile around chimney to retap into existing along basement wall footing to allow proper draining.He then pressure washes dirt loose or rotten mortar from chimney foundation. He then will re-plaster with type "M" waterproof mortar and roll on a rubber bitimous membrane which stretches 20 times its thickness. This is warrantied 50 yrs by the manufacturer .

He prides himself on getting the job done right the first time. He boasts never having any complaints.

Sounds time consuming but is not that bad. In 2.5 days problem solved...

Reason #2 If there is no concrete chimney cap installed chances are they used a cheap ineffective and easy way out using mortar to cap off the top. Life expectancy of this method is between 20 to 30 years.

Mortar has no strength and is only used between concrete or stone units served for 1 purpose, compression strength. To solve this problem, install a new concrete chimney cap with a 1.5" overhang 4 inches thick reinforced.

Charles recommends choosing a contractor who will warranty work for 15 years on designated rebuilt areas. This is his personal practice when completing work for homeowners. http://www.ifpbook.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Joanna_Ammons http://EzineArticles.com/?Why-is-My-Chimney-Leaking?&id=1483074