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(The Deep Dive)

If you live in the Pacific Northwest, you know the sound. It’s late November, the "atmospheric river" has arrived, and suddenly you hear it: drip, drip, drip.

Finding water in your firebox or noticing a damp stain on your wall is stressful. But in Portland and Vancouver, it is also incredibly common. Our chimneys face a unique challenge: they don't just get rained on; they get soaked for six months straight.

Here is exactly why your chimney is leaking and what needs to happen to fix it.

1. You’re Missing an "Umbrella" (The Chimney Cap)

This is the most obvious culprit. If you look up at your chimney and see an open hole, you have a problem. Without a chimney cap, your flue is essentially a wide-open bucket catching every drop of rain that falls.

• The Fix: We install a stainless steel or copper chimney cap. It acts like an umbrella, keeping rain (and birds!) out while letting smoke escape.

2. The "Crown" is Cracked

The chimney crown is the concrete slab at the very top of the masonry stack. Its job is to shed water away from the bricks. However, after years of freeze-thaw cycles (which we do get here), the concrete can crack. Once water gets into those cracks, it travels down through the interior of the chimney, bypassing the bricks entirely.

3. The Flashing Has Failed (The #1 Cause)

The flashing is the metal strip that seals the gap where your chimney meets your roof.

• Why it fails: Many older Portland homes have original flashing that has rusted through, or "tar" patches applied by handy-people that have dried out and peeled away.
• The Result: Water runs down the roof, hits the chimney, and slides right into your attic or walls. This is often why you see stains on the ceiling near the fireplace, even if the fireplace itself is dry.

4. The "Sponge" Effect (Masonry Saturation)

This is specific to our climate. Bricks are porous—they absorb water. In a heavy storm, that’s fine; they dry out the next day. But in a Portland winter, where it rains for weeks without stopping, the bricks eventually reach "saturation point." They simply cannot hold any more water, and the moisture passes all the way through to the inside of your home.

• The Fix: After repairing any structural damage, we apply a professional-grade waterproofing sealant that allows the brick to "breathe" while repelling driving rain.

4. Visual Evidence

(Insert "Before & After" Slider here)

• Left Image (Before): A close-up of a chimney crown with deep, dark cracks and moss growing in them.
• Right Image (After): A pristine, newly poured concrete crown with a proper overhang (drip edge).
• Caption: A cracked crown we repaired in Beaverton last month. Those small cracks were letting gallons of water into the home.

5. Is Your Chimney Ready for the Next Storm?

Water damage compounds quickly. What starts as a drip in the firebox can turn into rotted roof decking and mold in your attic.

If you suspect a leak, don't wait for the next storm. Text us a photo of your fireplace at [Phone Number] or click below to schedule a roof-top inspection.

[BUTTON: Schedule My Leak Inspection

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