Chimney Leaks, Permeates Water

beavhut

My chimney permeates water through the brick and mortar and drips into the attic space. I was told to rebuild the chimney from the roof up and flash all the way to the flues (4 flues). Does anyone have drawings or a web site I can go to and see the design?

Tscarborough

That is a pretty educated chimney you have there. Are you sure the crown is not what is leaking?

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beavhut

It's one of those old smart chimneys. I know it's not the cap. It's 30 years old and the water is soaking through the brick and mortar. I've heard of a way to flash into the flue to eliminate the leaks. Can you help?

Tscarborough

Flashing won't help with permeation, you need to seal it. Tuck any cracks, then apply a sealer like Prime-A-Pel 200. 90% of water penetration into chimneys is through the crown, however, specifically the crown-flue joint.

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beavhut

The chimney was cantilvered to be centered on the roof peak when it broke through the roof line. The water drips from the "drip edge" that the was created by the cantilever. Flashing into the flues would stop the water from soaking through the brickwork and finding it's way to the "drip edge" It's a salt box house with a center chimney

Tscarborough

Permeation means that you have water passing through the brick and mortar. Rather than creating a Rube Goldberg flashing scheme, just solve the problem of water penetration by sealing the brick and mortar (in actuality, just the mortar, it is unlikely that you have water penetration through the brick).

If you have water entering at the crown or where the chimney penetrates the roof, then you will need to adjust the flashing/fix the crown.

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It ain't Rocket Science unless you are building rockets.

beavhut

Thanks for the responses, but there is a method for flashing as indicated and Rube doesn't know about it. There is penetration through the brick. I have sealed the brick and mortar, but it hasn't stopped the problem. It always comes back in a short time.

Tscarborough

Then it is not leaking through the brick and mortar, provided you repaired the cracks and sealed the brick. Pics would help.

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It ain't Rocket Science unless you are building rockets.

Tscarborough

"there is a method for flashing as indicated and Rube doesn't know about it."

Neither does the masonry industry.

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It ain't Rocket Science unless you are building rockets.

beavhut

Well, I found a mason that knows how to flash to a flue to stop leaks. He usually uses the method for stone chimneys, but he also uses it on some brick chimneys. I will post some pictures during the process. Maybe it will help others with the same problem.

genecarp

I am with TSCAR, MOST times it is improper flashing, if i where a betting man i would put my money on flashing or cap.

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