Chimney may be leaking - what should we do?

Question

We recently finished renovating a rental property and after a heavy rain it looks like the chimney may be leaking. It is not an active chimney. There is actually not a fireplace but at the base of the chimney in the basement is a little door with ashes in it. There are black streaks running down from the door and after a heavy rain, a little pool of water on the basement floor.

Should we have someone come out and inspect the chimney or is there an easy fix we could handle ourselves? The chimney does have a chimney cap on it.

Erik B. · Answer

@Virginia Jones

Dont call a roofer. Call a chimney company PREFERABLY one that is highly recommended from friends or other investors.

Chimneys can leak 2 ways

-inside the chimney

-Or outside the chimney

Inside- leaks through the actual chimney opening because of a missing cap or through the failing masonry especially on wind blown rain.  If you look at the condition of mortar and bricks and see anything that looks loose or missing you need some repointing/repairing at the least.

Outside- could be water entering the structure between the chimney and the roof framing through holes in the flashing.

If you have water stains coming out from the ash door you

Most likely have water entering in to the chimney through the masonry.

Joel Owens · Answer

Let me tell you from experience. DO NOT just go by what a roofer tells you. Some investors will go on the roof with the roofing company to see what they are talking about. If that is not possible or you do not want to do that then roofers can take pictures and also video of the issue and then come back down to show you what they are talking about.

There are a lot of parts to a roof and chimney. The leak could be from one point or MULTIPLE points.

Brian G. · Answer

@Virginia Jones call a chimney company!

Scott Mac · Answer

Hi Virginia,

A small door at the bottom of the chimney, and it's full of ashes.

In some older structures there will be a sanitary drain at the bottom of the chimney.

If you remove the ashes and find a drain, and it's not clogged with ashes--Problem Solved.

It's a free fix if you have the drain in there.

Good Luck!

Sam Shueh · Answer

All homes when sold need to be inspected by an inspector. They recommend a contractor to fix the leak. Often flashings, pore in the bricks.

Theresa Harris · Answer

Call a roofer and get an estimate.  It could be the flashing around the edge of the chimney.  One of my places had this happen over the winter when there was a really bad storm.  They quickly tarped it up with clear plastic and once the weather improved, came back and redid the flashing.  There may also be cracked mortar that needs to be repaired.  My roofer said there is some paint you can use that seals the cracks, but he also gave me the number of a mason who can properly repair it.

Pat L. · Answer

If its not an active chimney we put a large patio stone on top. Much cheaper than a chimney cap that still allows moisture & wind infiltration.

Nathan Gesner · Answer

Yes, you should have it inspected. The chimney probably has cracks in it that allows the water in. or maybe it's missing a cap and the water is just getting inside the chimney? It could be repaired or you could seal it off completely. Don't let it continue or it could get worse and cause additional problems.

Chimney may be leaking - what should we do?

Most Popular Reply