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Chimneys
& Roofing |
Water near your chimney is never a good sign. It might start small, with some moisture around the fireplace, a faint musty smell, or a brown stain slowly spreading on the ceiling. But left alone, it gets worse. We've been helping North Jersey homeowners and business owners deal with chimney leaks for over 25 years, and we know how frustrating it is when the source isn't obvious. That's why our North Jersey chimney leak solutions focus on finding the cause and stopping it at its source.
Older chimneys are especially vulnerable to leaks, but even newer chimneys can develop problems if they're missing key protective parts or haven't been checked in a while.
We see certain issues again and again across North Jersey:
These kinds of leaks can start small, but they spread quickly. What begins as one weak point often turns into a bigger problem when wind, ice, or time wear it down further. Many of the worst chimney leaks we've repaired in North Jersey began with something simple, like a missing cap or a cracked crown, that was overlooked until the water damage became visible indoors.
The signs aren't always dramatic. You might just notice a slight odor after a rainstorm or see peeling paint on a nearby wall. Other times, the signs are hard to ignore, such as drips, wet ceilings, or crumbling bricks around the chimney. Water stains near the fireplace can be another giveaway, especially if they show up after heavy rain or snow.
Chimney leaks at your North Jersey home or business can show up differently depending on how your chimney was built, where it's located, and what kind of damage it has. For instance, the outside might look fine while the inside is soaking up water.
Chimney leaks can come from more than one place. Water might enter from the top, the sides, or where the chimney connects to the roof. It's common for water to enter in one area and show up somewhere else entirely. A leak near the top can trickle down through the flue, then travel sideways through framing or insulation. From there, it might reach the drywall or ceiling and create a stain far from where the problem started. If the leak mixes with soot or creosote, the result is often sticky, discolored residue that smells strong and lingers in the room.
The spot where your roof and chimney meet is one of the weakest areas of your home. It's where different materials come together, and that's where water leaks love to hide. Over time, the seal between the roof and the chimney loosens. Rain runs down the bricks, slips behind the flashing, and finds a path into your North Jersey home or commercial building.
Even a tiny gap can lead to big trouble. One good storm, and water can pour into places you didn't know were vulnerable. That's why at American Sons, our North Jersey roof and chimney leak specialists always check the chimney when someone calls us about a roof leak. And we check the roof when there's a chimney leak! They go hand in hand.
Most chimney leaks at your North Jersey home or business can be avoided with regular maintenance, small repairs, and routine cleaning. We also recommend checking that protective components like caps, crowns, and chase covers are intact. If an important component of your chimney is missing or failing, it's just a matter of time before moisture finds its way in. A loose piece of flashing, a hairline crack in the crown, or missing mortar might not seem like much, but they can all let water in. Sealing the masonry surface, touching up joints, and making sure flashing is solid are all simple steps that help keep the chimney leak-free.
Cleaning the chimney on a regular basis gives us a chance to catch things before they turn into leaks. We often discover chimney leaks while we're providing chimney cleaning/sweeping for our North Jersey customers, especially in chimneys that haven't been serviced in a while. Wet residue, rust, or moss buildup can all point to water entry. Routine chimney cleaning helps reduce the risk of leaks by catching problems early. Cleaning clears the way so we can see, and fix, what needs attention.
Our North Jersey chimney cleaning and sweeping services are about more than just removing soot and creosote. When we clean a chimney, we also inspect the areas most likely to cause leaks. It gives us a close-up view of the crown, flashing, joints, and exterior and interior surfaces. We check for signs of wear, cracks, moisture entry, missing components, and more.
Reach out to American Sons Professionals for chimney leak repair services at your North Jersey home or business, including 24/7 emergency leak repair. No chimney leaks yet? Then just contact us to schedule a chimney cleaning, and we'll look for signs of damage or leaks while we're sweeping your chimney. Call us at 201-396-5509, 973-330-1958, or 908-463-4204.
