Waterproofing

Unfortunately, chimneys are often made from very porous materials. You can think of it as a giant sponge holding water each time it rains. Over time, the water seeps down the chimney and can deteriorate your chimney, causing leaks and leading to more significant problems. That deterioration is only made worse by changing seasons when your chimney is holding water and the temperature drops, leading to the freeze-thaw effect. This is where water expands as it freezes, causing larger and larger pathways for water to move into your chimney as it thaws.

This sort of maintenance hasn't been around for all that long. These days, we can extend your chimney's life and overall look by applying a high-quality waterproofing product that will effectively block out water, still allowing your chimney to breathe and function as it should. If you have a five-year-old chimney or older, we recommend waterproofing.

Chimney Relining

Almost all chimneys have a liner inside them, by code, to protect your home from the heat of a fire. The liner protects your chimney from the destructive effects of fire's by-products and would slowly damage the mortar joints. That will shorten the life of the chimney and will eventually allow those harmful gases into your home. The liner also helps keep heat away from nearby combustible materials in your home.

Some reasons to reline your chimney

• The current lining may be old and deteriorating
• New appliances might bring a need for a resizing of the flu
• Your historic home might have a chimney that was built without a liner at all

Relining materials and options

Chimney liners are largely made of clay tile, metal, or cast-in-place masonry. Each method has its benefits.

• Clay Tiles: The most common and least expensive material used is clay. They have been proven to work well when properly maintained. However, relining a chimney with clay tiles is nearly impossible, as it almost would always need to be torn down and totally rebuilt.
• Metal: When it comes to prefabricated liners, we believe that stainless steel is the only way to go. We install stainless steel liners with lifetime warranties if inspected and swept annually by a certified sweep.
• Cast Masonry: The old liner is usually removed for a cast masonry liner. A new one is a cast, bonding to the inside of your chimney, sealing cracks, gaps, and other deteriorated areas, and forming a seamless liner. This is another great option that can strengthen the chimney in a historic home and provide a long-lasting solution no matter what fuel you're using.