Transcript
LESLIE: Alright, now we’ve got Joseph in Virginia calling in with a chimney question. How can we help?
JOSEPH: Well, I’ve got a masonry chimney and I know they’ve got all these new mixtures today and I was just wondering if I put the original stuff back in it or is there something a little more waterproof and would maybe bond a little better to go back in the second time in that old crack. And another question, do we open it up a little bit so we can get more in and maybe a little deeper or what do you do?
TOM: Alright, so you have a crack in the chimney?
JOSEPH: Yes, several of them around and water is leaking in, coming in.
TOM: OK, so here’s what I want you to do. I want you to use an epoxy patching compound. You don’t want to use straight cement because it’s going to fall out. An epoxy patching compound is going to be sticky enough to really do a good job at sealing those cracks. And then, secondly, you want to use a masonry sealer and you’re going to use probably a silicone-based sealer that’s vapor permeable; so that means that the moisture will not be able to get in but any moisture that happens to be in there or finds its way around, it can evaporate out. That will stop it from freezing and cracking. Those two things are the best way to maintain that chimney.
And in terms of the leaks, make sure you have somebody get on top of that chimney right at the top because cracks around the chimney top are the number one cause of leaks.
Joseph, thanks so much for calling us at 1-888-MONEY-PIT.
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