What Causes Chimney Leaks?

Causes of Leaking Chimney

Chimney leaks are a common occurrence, and there are actually a multitude of reasons why your chimney may be leaking. But no matter the cause, additional moisture in your chimney can lead to irreversible damage or even structural issues that can take years to fix. To help you identify what may be causing your leaky chimney, we’ve assembled a few of the most common culprits.

Worn Flashing

The flashing provides a waterproof seal between the chimney and the roof. Flashing is usually aluminum and is sealed down with some type of waterproof sealant. Over time, however, the sealant can erode and create an entryway for water. It’s imperative to have any damaged flashing repaired immediately. Otherwise, both your roof and home are in danger of water damage if not taken care of. 

Missing or Dysfunctional Chimney Cap

Your chimney crown is the concrete slab on the top that protects your chimney from the weather and even little critters. Over time, the concrete can become brittle and crack due to the excessive amount of moisture and temperature changes it experiences. This is an easily fixable problem by either filling the cracks or completely replacing the crown.

More Mortar, More Problems

Perhaps the most vulnerable area of your chimney is the brick and mortar joints. While bricks may last for a century, mortar may only last twenty years. This means that mortar will deteriorate well before the bricks. And in a place like Canada, freezing and thawing during the winter can cause serious problems. Chimney tuckpointing and waterproofing will get your mortar joints back to new and your chimney will be moisture free.

Foregoing Maintenance

Your home needs a chimney inspection and thorough cleaning at least twice a year. Failing to stay on top of annual maintenance puts your chimney’s structural integrity at stake. Luckily, Cummins Restoration can provide both an inspection as well as a detailed assessment to determine what repairs your chimney needs. Don’t wait until the chimney is beyond repair. The longer you wait, the costlier the repairs may be.

Keep your home and family safe with a professional chimney repair by our qualified team. Contact us today at (416) 992-7965 or cumminsrestoration@rogers.com.

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    Holly Bowman XO
    Holly Bowman XO
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    Brian and the Cummins Restoration team did an incredible job tuckpointing the house. Brian fully understood what was needed and wanted and not only was he professional and efficient, but he was a pleasure to work with. I would recommend Cummins Restoration over and over again. Thanks Brian!
    Gina Donnelly
    Gina Donnelly
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    Tuck pointing and threshold repair. Did a great job for a fair price compared to other companies. It's been a few months and you can barely tell where the mortar repair was done.
    M.B Toronto
    M.B Toronto
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    You guys did a terrific job on the tuckpointing, I’d have no problem recommending you to anyone. The front of my house just looks so much better

    Contact us




      Holly Bowman XO
      Holly Bowman XO
      Read More
      Brian and the Cummins Restoration team did an incredible job tuckpointing the house. Brian fully understood what was needed and wanted and not only was he professional and efficient, but he was a pleasure to work with. I would recommend Cummins Restoration over and over again. Thanks Brian!
      Gina Donnelly
      Gina Donnelly
      Read More
      Tuck pointing and threshold repair. Did a great job for a fair price compared to other companies. It's been a few months and you can barely tell where the mortar repair was done.
      M.B Toronto
      M.B Toronto
      Read More
      You guys did a terrific job on the tuckpointing, I’d have no problem recommending you to anyone. The front of my house just looks so much better