Columbus, OH & surrounding areas
Chimney Leaks & Waterproofing
We find where the water actually gets in, fix it, and seal the masonry.
- Diagnose the entry point before we quote
- Flashing, crown, and cap repairs
- Breathable water-repellent sealing
- 4.4 on Google
- Free in-home estimates
- Fully insured
- Warranty up to 1 year
- Free drone inspection
Get a call back
Tell us what's going on. We'll call you back to set a time.
There are only a handful of ways water gets into a chimney, and they're all findable. The expensive mistake is guessing — sealing the brick when the flashing was the problem, or replacing flashing when the crown was cracked. We find the entry point before anybody buys materials.
Signs you'd notice
- Water stains on the ceiling or wall beside the chimney
- A damp, musty smell near the fireplace after rain
- White chalky staining (efflorescence) on the brick
- Rusting damper or firebox components
- Peeling paint or crumbling plaster on the chimney chase
What happens on the visit
- 1
Diagnose before we quote
We work the four suspects in order: cap, crown, flashing, and the masonry face itself. Drone photos where the roof makes that the safer look.
- 2
Repair the flashing properly
The joint where chimney meets roof is the most common leak point and the most commonly botched repair. Caulk over failed flashing is a stopgap, not a fix. On a wide chimney on a sloped roof, the real answer is often a cricket — a small peaked diverter behind the stack that sends water around it instead of letting it pond against the brick.
- 3
Address the top
Crown repair or rebuild, cap replacement, chase cover if it's a framed chimney. Water almost always starts here.
- 4
Waterproof with a breathable repellent
Once the entry points are closed, the masonry gets a vapor-permeable water repellent. It stops water going in while still letting existing moisture out — a film-forming sealer traps it and accelerates spalling.
Why it matters
Water destroys chimneys — not fire, not age. It rusts dampers, breaks down firebox mortar, spalls brick from the inside in freezing climates, carries salts to the surface, and stains the ceiling in the room next door. A leak fixed this spring is a repair; the same leak in three years is a rebuild.
Recent work
What the work looks like
Our own photos, from real Columbus-area jobs. Tap a project to see every photo.
Questions
Leaks & Waterproofing: what people ask us
Why does my chimney leak when it rains?
There are only a handful of ways water gets in, and they're all findable: a missing or damaged cap, a cracked crown at the top, failed flashing where the chimney meets the roof, or brick and mortar that have gotten porous enough to soak water straight through. The right repair depends on where the water enters, so the first step is finding the actual entry point.
What's the chalky white staining on my chimney?
Efflorescence — mineral salts carried to the surface by water moving through the masonry. The stain itself is harmless and washes off. What it tells you is not harmless: water is moving through your brick. Treat it as a symptom worth chasing, not a cosmetic problem.
The brick faces are flaking off. Is that serious?
That's spalling, and yes, it's the clock running. Water gets absorbed into the brick, freezes, and can pop the face off. Every spalled brick exposes more surface for the next round. It doesn't reverse on its own: the damaged units get replaced and the masonry is protected so it stops happening.
Related
While we're up there
Chimney Sweeping
Creosote, soot, and blockages cleared out of your flue.
Chimney Inspections
A documented look at the whole system, firebox to crown.
Chimney & Masonry Repair
Tuckpointing, brick replacement, and rebuilds — above and below the roofline.
Caps, Crowns & Chase Covers
The lid on your chimney. Keeps rain, leaves, and animals out.
Get a free estimate on your chimney
Pick a day and a time window online, or call and talk to a person. The estimate is free, and the drone inspection is included.