Fireplace Leaks


Leaks in any area of the home are annoying. One area of the home where leaks are especially troublesome, however, is the fireplace. Often, this water leakage is the result of a foundation issue or poor waterproofing on the exterior of your home. Before you determine a solution to stop the leaks in your fireplace, you must first figure out where the leaks are coming from and how they occurred in the first place. Sometimes, water in the fireplace comes from the outside of the chimney and is caused by water entering the top. Other times, leaking fireplaces are caused by a foundation problem. Sometimes, these foundation problems also cause the chimney to lean, tilt or pull away from the house.

If you have water pooling in your fireplace, it could be the result of:

  • Cracks in the chimney crown: If your chimney crown is cracking, it could be due to age, or deterioration from excess water. Chimney cracks are also sometimes a result of an issue with the foundation underneath the chimney.
  • Cracks in the chimney bricks: If you have a brick chimney, water could enter the fireplace through cracks in the bricks. These brick cracks usually form when the foundation beneath the chimney starts to settle or sink, causing the chimney to pull away from the home.
  • Dislodged flashing around chimney: When a chimney begins to lean or pull away due to foundation settlement, it can sometimes cause the flashing on the roof around the chimney to become dislodged. This can lead to water leakage in the roof around the chimney.

Leaking Fireplace Solutions

If your chimney or fireplace is developing leaks, it is most likely due to foundation settlement beneath the foundation causing theFireplace leaks Kansas City MO, KS chimney to lean or pull away from the home. This can be fixed using helical piers for foundation repair. These piers are screwed into the ground beneath the foundation and used to support the weight of the structure while lifting the foundation to its proper position.

Another reason your fireplace or chimney may be leaking is deterioration due to excess water. If water is allowed to pool around your foundation or around the exterior of the chimney, it can cause the concrete or masonry to deteriorate. This weakens the structure, leading to cracks, and can also cause soil movement that results in foundation settlement. To keep water from pooling around your foundation, you need exterior and surface drainage solutions. Having a good surface drainage system will prevent water from pooling in your yard or around your foundation. Exterior drainage can also help redirect water away from your home.

Pro Foundation Technology, Inc. will find a solution to get your home back to normal in no time. We serve Missouri and NE Kansas including the cities of Kansas City, Jefferson City, and Columbia.