Many people think painting your chimney will look beautiful, modern, or sleek. But just like a lovely bronze tan, what looks good on the outside might be another story on the inside.
Many people hire a remodeler, handy man, or builder to paint their chimney. Or if repairs are necessary, apply a thick coating of tar or sealer. Although it may seem like a great idea, in reality it can ruin your chimney.
The answer is simple. Your chimney is a different temperature inside than it is on the outside. So, moisture can build up within your chimney. Gas appliances can also release high amounts of moisture into your old masonry chimney. This exhaust condenses in improperly sizes flues.
To keep your chimney dry, moisture must be allowed to evaporate. Moisture left inside of the chimney will destroy it. In other words, the chimney must be allowed to breathe. When your chimney is sealed with tar, sealer, or paint, the mortar and brick inside your chimney will deteriorate very quickly. Moisture can wick into the brickwork and stay there, destroying the mortar from the inside out.
The good news is, if this problem is identified early enough Doctor Flue can fix it – allowing your chimney to work properly for many years.
Doctor Flue has years of experience righting failed attempts to repair a chimney with tar or sealant. Unfortunately, chimneys that have been painted for many years are some of the worst in terms of structural integrity and often require extensive repairs or replacement. Don’t wait to have your chimney inspected!
Remember, your chimney must capable of channeling steam, heat, condensation, and smoke out of your home. A typical handy man, roofer, or builder does not have the proper education or specialty equipment needed to diagnose your chimney’s underlying problem.
All chimney sweeps at Doctor Flue, inc. are CSIA Certified. We offer many Chimney Services, including Chimney Inspection, Chimney Repair, Chimney Cleaning and more!
If your chimney hasn’t been inspected or cleaned this year, contact us today!
Call Us: 1-800-438-3583
Email Us: office@drflue.com
Office Hours: Mon-Fri: 8am-4pm
Connect with Doctor Flue on Social Media
Some common gas fireplace problems include unusual odors, ignition failure, unbalanced fire, cloudy glass, visible…
Whether you have a traditional masonry fireplace or a modern factory-built unit, each component plays…
Do you need to clean your chimney if you don't use your fireplace? The short…
A cracked chimney can result from moisture, freezing temperatures, house settling, chimney fire, or construction…
The most common fireplace problems include creosote buildup, critter invasions, obstructions, closed dampers, poor-quality firewood,…
There are three chimney inspection levels that professionals use to determine the state of your…