Preventing Rust On and Around Your Chimney

Many homeowners are probably well aware of rust, whether from seeing it on a vehicle or an old shovel in their garage. Your chimney can also be susceptible to rust. This can, in turn, lead to a variety of issues. Here are several tips to prevent rusting on or around your chimney.

What causes rust?

Rust is a visual sign of the oxidation process from moisture exposure. As your chimney is exposed to the elements 24/7/365, rain, snow, sleet, and hail can all have an impact on your system. In turn, this can lead to rust if proper preventative steps are not taken to mitigate this exposure.

What causes water damage?

The result is water damage, and it’s caused by failing components. As a basic example, the freeze-and-thaw cycle that’s common in the winter months can cause your masonry to crack. We’ll discuss repairing this shortly, but once water finds a way in, it likes to fester and grow. What starts as a small crack today can lead to massive water damage in your home down the road.

Fixing your crown

One way to prevent rusting on or around your chimney is to redirect water away from it. This starts with a functional crown. A crown that is broken, damaged, or missing entirely will allow water to run down your masonry and even into the mouth of your chimney, damaging internal components such as your damper and flue. With a properly built chimney crown, water will be redirected toward your roof, then toward your gutters, and eventually into your yard.

Replacing your cap

Another method to minimize this damage is by replacing your cap. If it’s missing entirely or has rusted on its own, you should replace it as soon as possible. A rusty cap can cause other parts of your chimney system to rust. A missing one can let the various elements unknowingly seep into your home.

Repairing damaged masonry

We mentioned masonry a moment ago. Your brick and mortar are highly porous, and if left unattended, will eventually allow water to make its way throughout your chimney. This can be as simple as rusty stains along your brick to letting water penetrate your flue, damaging it as well as your damper. Tuckpointing and/or repointing is a great way to prevent rusting on or around your chimney as a result of deteriorated masonry.

Waterproofing

Lastly, once you’ve repaired any structural issues, your Chimney Specialists technician can apply a layer of waterproofing. This small yet vital process is one of the best ways to prevent rusting on or around your chimney.

Schedule an annual inspection

Proactive maintenance is one of the best ways to prevent rusting on or around your chimney. An annual inspection can identify potential issues that haven’t become problems yet while applying preventative measures to keep damage at bay.

We recommend scheduling an annual inspection before you start using your chimney for the season. However, if you missed yours last year, let us know and we’ll get you on our calendar ASAP.

Contact the team at Chimney Specialists, Inc via phone by calling us at (608) 929-4887 or via our website by filling out our contact form.