Did you know that an old, damaged, or dirty chimney can affect the integrity of your roof and its lifespan? It’s true. One of the most serious hazards to your roof is a chimney in disrepair. Protect your Carrollton home today by learning the signs of chimney damage.
But, why is it important to know the signs of chimney damage? Simply because decaying or damaged masonry, improperly built masonry, and damaged flashing can cause major damage to your roof – ranging from a leak to collapse.
Here are three ways you can find out if your chimney could be causing you roof damage:
Decayed or Damaged Masonry. One of the best ways to find out if you have decayed or damaged masonry on your chimney is to hire a professional roofing company to look at your chimney and inspect your roof. A roof inspection is something you should do every few years to ensure you do not have damage or potential problems that need to be addressed. The inspector should look for red flags such as broken or chipped masonry near the base of the chimney and broken pieces of cement around the bottom, on the roof nearby, or on the ground below.
If there is evidence of damage or decaying masonry, this could mean that water is seeping into your roof. While you may not see evidence in the form of a leak inside your home, you could have damage you don’t see – but could mean a roof collapse. (Learn the signs of a roof collapse in this blog).
Damaged Flashing. Flashing is the material that goes over the joints of the walls and roof that blocks water from getting into your roof and causing damage. Flashing is usually made of aluminum or galvanized steel. If your flashing is loose, damaged, or not correctly installed around your roof, you could have an access point for water to seep inside. If your roof inspector finds signs of damaged or inadequate flashing, check inside your attic for signs of water damage and schedule repair of your roof.
Signs of Pests. Did you know that a chimney missing its cap is an open door for pests like squirrels, raccoons, birds, and bats? If pests can enter your roof, they can make a home in your insulation and attic – which can lead to thousands of dollars in repairs. Ask your roof inspector to make sure your chimney had a cap on the roof, and it is in good repair while he is doing your inspection.
A damaged or aging chimney doesn’t just mean roof damage – it also is a fire hazard. Structural flaws in your chimney increase the risk of fire spreading from your fireplace to your roof. While we are talking about chimneys and fire risk, be sure to have your fireplace cleaned and regularly inspected as part of your home maintenance schedule.