Chimney Services » waterproofing
Our Company Blog
by Mike O'Mara | Feb 6, 2020 | Home Maintenance tips
We tend to see a lot of rainfall this time of year here in San Diego County, so it’s important to ensure your home is adequately protected. There are a lot of simple steps you can take to ensure you stay as safe as possible, as well as avoid expensive and time-consuming repairs down the line. Follow some of the guidelines provided below, and be sure to reach out to our team for all of your chimney- and fireplace-related needs. Weststar Chimney is ready to serve you every step of the way!
Unclog Your Gutters
If you don’t have sturdy gutters on your home, then it might be time to invest in some new ones. It may put a small dent in your bank account, but trust us – water-related damages are much more costly to address! If your gutters are in good shape, then get out your ladder and some gloves and ensure they are totally unclogged, so that water has a clear pathway off of your roof and away from your home. Or, if you’re not up to take on the task yourself, call on a professional to help you out.
What happens if you neglect this maintenance? Water will collect on your roof, causing all kinds of damage, and you’ll be experiencing leaks and interior and exterior home damage before you know it. It could also lead to water pooling near your home, causing a lot of issues throughout your foundation. The weaker this area becomes, the more likely you are to have structural issues down the line.
Check For Rot
The more moisture you have in your home, the more likely you are to experience rotting throughout your woodwork, which can eventually lead to structural damage and mold accumulation. Be sure to look for rot regularly and have any affected areas replaced as soon as possible. Then, take necessary measures to ensure these areas are not affected by water again down the line.
Is Your Roof In Good Shape?
Mold or leaky spots in your roof indicate that some work needs to be completed. It’s important to regularly replace broken or missing shingles, and be sure to invest in new roofing materials, as needed, to ensure your entire home stays safer and in the best shape possible. Rainy weather can be very hard on your roof, and you don’t want to discover leaks amidst a heavy downpour. Take action now – you’ll be happy you crossed this maintenance off of your list early!
Seal Your Windows & Doors
Window frames and door frames are especially vulnerable spots when heavy rains begin to fall. As various parts of your home settle, expand, and contract over time, these areas tend to break down the quickest, and you’ll notice water seeping through if they aren’t properly maintained. Keep an open eye for stains, rotting wood, mold, and other signs that moisture is making a presence. Then, seal them up as necessary.
Inspect Your Landscaping
Are there any places in your yard where water is more prone to collect and cause damage? Consider re-doing weak spots in your landscaping, and check that your sidewalks and driveway are appropriately sloped so that water flows away from your property, rather than towards it. These projects are a little more expensive to take on, but don’t compare at all to the costs of home repairs down the line should water gain easy access to your home.
Waterproof Your Masonry
Is your chimney sealed and protected? If not, then it’s time to call in some experts. Your brickwork and mortar are really absorbent, and they will soak in a lot of water if left to the elements. Water breaks down these materials quickly, and all too often people use store-bought paints and sealers to try and protect them. Unfortunately, these products trap the pre-absorbed moisture inside with no way of escaping, meaning your structure will continue to crumble, crack, and deteriorate.
Rely on our team to get the job done right with services and products you can rely on for the long haul. We’ll cover your masonry will specially formulated sealants that offer reliable protection, while still remaining vapor-permeable. This means no water will get in and anything stuck inside can easily escape over time.
Invest In Replacement Chimney Parts
Unfortunately, your masonry isn’t the only area of your chimney that can be affected by water. If your flashing, chimney cap, or top-sealing damper was installed incorrectly or if they are facing some type of damage, then it’s likely that water will pool and create rust and decay. These components can work wonders at protecting your home, but they have to be in good shape and set up right in order to do an effective job.
Let us look things over, and we can repair or replace parts, as necessary. Once everything is back in order, you can rest easier knowing you did everything possible to prevent further damage throughout your home.
We’re Here For You!
Ready to work with the best in the area? Our CSIA Certified Chimney Sweeps are just a quick phone call away. Reach out now, so you can put your mind at ease throughout these rainy months ahead.
by Mike O'Mara | Jun 14, 2018 | Chimney Crown
The chimney crown plays a significant role in keeping your chimney and fireplace safer and running better year after year. Therefore, it’s important to ensure it stays in good condition. Unfortunately, many things can affect your crown’s structure, such as neglect, improper construction, bad weather, and more. Investing in regular maintenance is a surefire way to keep this and other parts of your chimney in great shape, no matter what.
If your chimney crown is showing signs of trouble, then you’ll want to invest in some repair work from a team of professionals. Trust us when we say there’s no time to lose! The longer you put off necessary services, the worse things will get. Eventually, your fireplace will become unsafe for use. You’ll likely accumulate more damages along the way, which means your overall repair costs will be quite high.
Our team of CSIA certified experts can help you out. Learn more about the chimney crown below, then give us a call so we can get your appointment on the books!
What Does The Chimney Crown Do?
What is the function of the crown? Well, it sits at the top of your chimney and it does a lot to keep it protected through all types of bad weather. It begins at your flue liner and overhangs past the edge of your chimney, so any water or excess moisture slides out and away from the sides of your chimney. This keeps your brickwork and mortar a lot safer, allowing them to stay in optimal condition all year long.
As you may know, masonry is quite absorbent, so anything you can do to keep water away from it will help a lot. When you combine the function of a chimney crown with the waterproofing services Westar Chimney Sweeps provides, you’ll be able to rest easier no matter how bad the weather is outdoors!
My Crown Is Beyond Repair… Can You Still Help?
Is your crown in even worse shape than you originally imagined? This may send alarm bells ringing in your head, but you need not worry. We can still help you out! Some crowns were simply constructed poorly from the start, so they don’t stand up well to harsh winds, bad rains, and similar weather. In these cases, we can reconstruct the crown, so it lasts you years and years without any problems.
Invest In Regular Inspections
Once you’re all set and ready to go, be sure you invest in annual inspections to keep your crown (and all of your other chimney parts) in the best condition possible. Cracks, holes, and other types of damage can make your system dangerous to use. The last thing we want is for homeowners to have a fireplace that they can’t enjoy to the fullest.
One inspection every year will ensure your chimney stays looking great and running well. Our team of experts will be sure to spot any damages or build up before they get worse. Count on us to help you out. With spring here and our schedule books less full, now is a great time to call us in!
by Mike O'Mara | Mar 13, 2018 | Chimney Maintenance
When water has easy access to your chimney, it can cause a lot of damage in a short amount of time. Rusty flashing, cracked masonry, rot, clogs, and more can occur if your chimney isn’t properly protected, and the longer you put off corrective maintenance, the worse these issues will become. If you’re worried about the state of your fireplace system, our team at Weststar Chimney Sweeps has got you covered!
Learn more about how you can spot water damage by reading below, then call on us to provide the solutions you need to get the best performance possible from your chimney and fireplace.
Examine Your Masonry
If you’ve been noticing leaks or pools of water in your fireplace, your brickwork may be the culprit. Many don’t realize that, even though bricks are strong and sturdy, they can absorb water quite easily! When moisture gets absorbed, it triggers all types of deterioration throughout your system and causes your masonry to crumble.
If your masonry is looking worse for the wear, let us help you out. We can apply a strong, yet breathable, waterproofing sealant that will keep water out for good, so you can rest easy every time you put your fireplace to good use. If things are starting to break down, stop that excess moisture dead in its tracks – invest in our waterproofing services today!
Check For Rust
There are various metal components throughout your chimney and fireplace that if given the opportunity to rust, won’t be able to function properly. If rust goes unaddressed, it will form cracks and holes, allowing even more pathways for water to enter your system and cause damage. If you notice rust, call us in for the repairs and restoration work you need to get your chimney up and running efficiently again!
Whether your flashing is rusted, your chimney cap is damaged, or something else is going wrong with your metal chimney parts, count on us to get the job done right. We will get everything back to normal faster than you might expect and can handle any extra installation work you might need along the way. When it comes to your chimney, count on a professional from the very start. The crew at Weststar Chimney Sweeps has got your back!
How Is Your Crown?
Your chimney crown plays an integral role in keeping water away from your masonry. When built correctly, your crown will easily direct water out and away from the sides of your chimney, making a big impact on how much damage your system ends up facing over time. If your crown is broken down or wasn’t installed correctly from the start, count on our team to help you out! We can repair your crown, so you don’t have to stress any longer.
If you’re facing water damage, don’t let it bring you down. Give us a call today, so we can get your fireplace working great again!
by Mike O'Mara | Sep 4, 2017 | Leaning Chimney
Now and then, we get calls wondering about whether or not a leaning chimney is something to be concerned about. The short answer? Yes! A leaning chimney can lead to some serious damages to your home and put your family in danger, should a collapse eventually occur.
You could also see pest infestation if the chimney starts separating from the house, and you’re at a higher risk of inhaling hazardous toxins that may work their way through any cracks that have started to form.
On top of that, the tilting may have to do with your home’s foundation issues. This is something you’ll definitely want to get checked out, too! It’s obviously a serious problem, and one that should be addressed as soon as possible.
Why Is My Chimney Leaning?
So, what are the causes of a tilting or leaning chimney? Well, one of your issues may be exposure to excess moisture. Moisture and masonry don’t make a good pair at all! What happens when water gets absorbed into your brickwork? Unfortunately – decay, deterioration, and more start to occur. In addition, your entire system weakens quickly over time. All this extra damage and pressure can easily cause your structure to tilt.
Another problem you may have is an unstable foundation. Undersized footings, deterioration, and poor soil are just a few of the many foundation problems that may be causing your chimney to lean. Having a professional chimney sweep come in and check things over is your best bet for resolving the issue! They can assess the situation and guide you to the most appropriate ways to move forward.
Can It Be Fixed?
It is possible to fix a leaning chimney without an entire restoration or reconstruction job. However, first you need to get your damage looked into! Yearly chimney and fireplace inspections are recommended by the CSIA and they can make all the difference when it comes to repairing something, without a major remodel.
For a chimney inspection in the San Diego area, call on the experts at Weststar Chimney Sweeps! Our trained and CSIA-certified technicians are standing by, reading to help you out at the first sign of trouble. If you fear your chimney is suffering, there’s no time to lose!
Have You Considered Waterproofing?
Have you invested in repairs and are now ready to keep your chimney and brickwork safe from water damage down the line? If so, invest in our waterproofing services. We use top of the line products that protect your masonry, while allowing it the ability to breathe out necessary gases and vapors. It’s the perfect solution for anyone looking to ensure their chimney stands the test of time. Give us a call today to learn more about waterproofing, and be sure to ask us about our long list of other services, too!
We can’t wait to serve you soon. Pick up the phone now!
by Mike O'Mara | Apr 5, 2017 | Chimney Leaks
It’s the time of year for showers, heavy rains, and all types of storms. This is great news for our plants, flowers, and soil, but it can bring about some trouble when it comes to your chimney. At Weststar Chimney Sweeps, we want to help you prepare for any weather! If you are noticing leaks and excess water throughout your fireplace and chimney, call on us today.
Moisture and Masonry
Water issues will not only cause issues for your brickwork, but can trigger problems throughout your home, as well! This is one repair service that you definitely don’t want to put off. The worse things get, the more repairs you’ll have to invest in down the line, costing you a lot of time and money by the end of it all.
When your brick absorbs water, it causes the mortar to wear down fast. The weaker it gets, the less efficiently your fireplace will run and, eventually, things may start to break down or collapse. On top of this, you will face rot, rust, stains, mold, decay, cracks, and more all throughout the chimney and your home’s walls and ceiling.
When you combine all those issues with clogs, deterioration, and broken down parts, you are looking at a big mess. Save yourself the stress by calling in our CSIA certified experts today!
How Can We Help?
There are lots of steps you can take to get your home and chimney back to where it needs to be. Check out some of things that we can do for you!
- Waterproofing: This is one step that goes a long way and really benefits your brickwork throughout time. When you invest in a professional waterproofing service, your chimney will get the best protection available. Certified professionals know which products will work the most efficiently, while allowing your brickwork the opportunity to breathe. If your chimney is in good shape, waterproof now, so you ensure no damage starts occurring over time.
- Crown Repair/Replacement: The chimney crown plays a huge role in keeping water out. It seals your chimney, then directs any water out and away from your brickwork. Yet, this piece needs to be made from the right materials in order for it to be effective. If your crown needs some work, turn to us – we can set you up right.
- Chimney Cap Installation: Many homeowners find themselves without a chimney cap. This is a really easy, effective, and cost-efficient way to prevent excess water from entering your chimney. If you need one installed, talk to one of the pros at Weststar Chimney Sweeps right away! We’ll get you fixed up in no time.
We Look Forward To Your Call!
When it comes to chimney care, we love helping out. Turn your worn down system into a thing of beauty that you can enjoy for years to come by contacting us. We can’t wait to hear from you!
