Fireplace Leaks in Your South Dakota Home
Once you start to use your fireplace this winter, you may notice that it is damp inside, or that there is water around the base. This is a sign of fireplace leaks. While you may think that fireplace leaks are little more than cracks or dislodged shingles or flashing on the roof, they could actually be a sign of foundation failure. That is why it is important that you search the rest of your home for signs of foundation problems, such as foundation cracks, sinking or settlement, uneven floors, basement mold, or sticking windows and doors.
Some areas of your fireplace and chimney that may develop problems leading to leaks include:
- Cracked or Loose Fireplace Flashing
- Cracks in Chimney Bricks or Mortar
- Leaning or Tilting Chimney
- Cracks in Crown of Chimney
- Gaps Between Chimney and Home
- Cracks in Siding Near Chimney
If the chimney starts to lean or tilt and pull away from the home, it could be a result of foundation settlement underneath. Settling foundations are a problem for many homeowners, and should be taken care of right away with one of the solutions from Rapid Foundation Repair. Chimney cracks and loose flashing can also result from chimney movement due to settlement. Cracks near the base of the chimney may indicate prolonged exposure to water from poor grading around the home.
Fireplace Leak Foundation Repair Solutions for SD Homes
If you do see signs of a fireplace leak or a foundation problem in your home, we have the solutions that you need to take care of it. First, you need to make sure that the fireplace is well supported. Normally, this involves reversing any foundation settlement by installing helical piers or steel push piers.
Steel push piers are pushed into the ground under the chimney and other places where the foundation is settling. As they are driven deeper into the ground, the piers reach stable, load-bearing soil levels. Once they are anchored in, the piers can then be raised to lift the foundation and support the chimney and the rest of the home. Helical piers can also be used for this process. The main difference in installing helical piers is that they are screwed into the ground, not driven in. This gives them another level of stability. The piering products that we use to anchor homes and repair fireplace leaks are from ECP (Earth Contact Products), the top manufacturer in the business. Once we have installed these heavy-duty piers, the foundation is stabilized, the chimney straightened, and the cracks closed.
We can also use surface drainage to keep water from pooling around the base of your chimney and weakening it. By making sure that there is proper grading in your yard (that it sloped away from the foundation), we ensure that water will not collect near the chimney and cause cracks or crumbling that lead to leaning chimneys and fireplace leaks.
Contact the Rapid Foundation Repair team right away for more information on fixing fireplace leaks in your South Dakota home.