As a homeowner, you probably don't spend a ton of time thinking about your chimney, but it's not something that you should overlook when it comes to home maintenance. In fact, if you live in an area that gets a lot of rain or snow, you might want to take things a step further and consider chimney weatherproofing or waterproofing. Why is chimney weatherproofing so important? Here are just some of the benefits this service can provide.
Prevent Leaks and Damage
Did you know that your chimney already has some small holes in it? Chimney bricks and mortar are intentionally porous in order to allow smoke to escape easily as it gets to the top of your house. But those same small openings that you can't see with the naked eye can also allow water to get into your chimney. Over time, this could cause damage to the chimney chute with the development of rust or other long-term issues. When left untreated, you will eventually have a cracked chimney liner or water damage on your ceiling. Completely waterproofing or weatherproofing your chimney will reduce the chances of a leak occurring.
Stop Home Invasions
If your chimney uses porous bricks and mortar and also does not have a cap on top, this is a very inviting invitation for all kinds of pests. It may be possible for some unwanted guests to find a way inside your home through your chimney. Weatherproofing the chimney and adding a cap on top will go a long way towards keeping unwanted guests out of your home.
Chimneys Degrade Over Time
You've had a chimney without weatherproofing for years, and everything's been just fine. Why should you worry about it now? Well, a brand new chimney can probably handle the effects of a little bad weather for a while, but over time, the chimney will begin to degrade more and more. If you leave the situation unchecked, things will ramp up quickly before you know it and then you'll have a much more expensive repair or replacement bill to deal with instead of just paying for a weatherproofing service.
Contact an Expert
If you want to keep the inside of your chimney dry while also removing a possible entrance point for pests, consider contacting a local company that offers chimney weatherproofing services today for more information. You can then ask your chimney contractor to return once a year for a regular inspection