How Summer Storms Can Damage Your Chimney

Summer brings warmer weather, time spent in swimming pools, and backyard cookouts, but unfortunately, it also brings summer storms. You may not think about summer storms in the Central Savannah River Area (CSRA) and South Carolina Midlands damaging chimneys, but they most certainly can. Here is how summer storms can damage your fireplace.

What Kind of Damage Can Summer Storms Do?

A summer storm, especially when it’s severe, can wreak havoc on a chimney, causing several kinds of substantial damage.

Flashing:

The flashing is the sheet metal that keeps the intersection between the chimney and the roof watertight. Intense summer storms can loosen or tear away flashing, leading to leaks in the roof around the chimney. With freeze-and-thaw cycles, water getting into your masonry chimney will be especially damaging in the winter.

Masonry Cracks:

The power of wind and rain can lead to masonry cracks in your chimney. The constant battering of water can wear down its mortar (which bonds the bricks together), causing cracks and fissures. These cracks may not only let water seep into your chimney, but they can also break down the structural integrity of the chimney over time.

Chimney Crown:

The chimney crown is made from concrete or metal and situated at the top of the chimney. It can be damaged by hail or heavy rain. Cracks in the crown can allow water to enter, leading to water damage and could erode the interior of your chimney.

Chimney Cap:

The cap acts as a cover for the top of the chimney, preventing water, leaves, pine needles, pinecones, debris, or animals from getting inside your chimney. High winds from summer storms can dislodge or even completely tear off the cap, exposing the chimney to the elements.

Signs a Summer Storm Damaged Your Chimney

Identifying signs of chimney damage after a summer storm is essential to ensure the proper functioning and safety of the chimney. Here are key indicators.

• Visible Cracks: If you notice cracks on the exterior of your chimney, it could be due to storm damage. These cracks can appear in the bricks, the mortar, or the chimney crown, allowing water to seep into your chimney.
• Leaks or Moisture: After a storm, check for signs of moisture or water leaks around the base of your chimney or on the ceiling near the chimney. These could be a sign of damaged flashing. Moisture can also cause discoloration on walls or ceilings.
• Loose or Missing Bricks: If bricks or pieces of masonry are loose or missing from your chimney, a summer storm may have caused structural damage
• Damaged Cap or Crown: If the chimney cap or crown is loose, cracked, or missing, this could be a sign that a summer storm has damaged your chimney.
• Spalling: If you see pieces of brick on the ground around your chimney, it is spalling. Spalling happens when water gets into your chimney’s brick or mortar and forces the surface to peel, pop out, or flake off. It’s quite common in areas with freeze-thaw cycles. It’s a serious issue that can eventually lead to crumbling and structural damage if not addressed in time.
• Debris in the Fireplace: Check inside your fireplace for debris following a storm. If you see bits of masonry, it could indicate damage inside your chimney.
• Damaged Flashing: If you notice the flashing around your chimney is bent, torn, or missing, this could be a sign of storm damage.

Advanced Chimney Sweep Can Fix Your Chimney

If you suspect summer storms damaged your chimney, contact us so we can send our highly qualified and experienced chimney experts to inspect it.

Do you need to schedule an appointment for a chimney inspection and repair? Then call the team at Advanced Chimney Sweep at (706) 833-4630 (GA) or (803) 508-3990 (SC); you can also get in touch with our techs via our contact form.