What would cause a chimney to leak?
There are several possibilities. The number one cause is the roof/chimney intersection. If this is not properly flashed it will leak. Number 2 cause is no rain cap. Rain will come into the flue of the chimney and begin to saturate the inside of the chimney. If the geographic area you live in receives 3-inches of rain you will get 3-inches dumped into the chimney. If we get 15-inches over a 2 week period, as during the winter of 2004-2005, your chimney will probably leak. Saturation is another cause. During the winter of 2004-2005 many chimneys leaked that had adequate flashing and chimney caps. The bricks, being porous, and exposed to weeks of heavy rain, simply absorbed so much water the water by-passed the flashing and showed up in the house. Lastly there is “wicking”. Water saturating the soil around the base of the chimney will “wick” up through the porous masonry and show up inside the house. This condition is almost always caused by a poor drainage situation coupled with over irr
