Chimney Services
Sealing your Kolokee chimney, from prep to final coat
Waiting for new masonry and repairs to cure
Fresh masonry and fresh mortar need time before a repellent goes on. For best results, the maker of one water-based siloxane repellent wants new masonry cured for 28 days or more, and a wait of at least 72 hours after repairs or tuckpointing, before the product is applied.
When your Kolokee chimney needs both repairs and waterproofing, we schedule the treatment after the waiting period the product calls for, often as a second visit. Both steps appear on the written estimate, so you know the sequence before any work starts.
Cleaning the chimney surface before treatment
A repellent has to reach the pores to work. Manufacturer instructions for a siloxane chimney repellent call for clean, structurally sound, visibly dry surfaces, with dust, dirt, grease, efflorescence, old coatings and other foreign matter removed first, since they can block or interfere with penetration.
The cleaning method has to suit the masonry, because harsh cleaning can damage a surface or change how it takes the product. Our specialists choose the preparation for your Kolokee chimney and list it on the estimate, so a quick spray over dirty brick is never mistaken for waterproofing.
What an exterior repellent will not do
A chimney water repellent is an exterior treatment. One manufacturer states plainly that its water-based product is not intended for interior use or for resistance to hydrostatic pressure, and no repellent helps with rain falling straight down an uncapped flue or running behind loose flashing.
If your concern is water in the firebox, a stain on the ceiling or a musty smell, the free inspection looks for the entry point first. The fix may be a cap, flashing or crown repair, priced on its own, with waterproofing considered afterwards.
Roof safety during chimney waterproofing
Repellent on a ladder rung or a roof surface makes it slick. The maker of one chimney repellent warns that product accumulating on ladders and scaffolding can create a slippery surface, and it recommends protective gloves and chemical splash goggles during use.
Our crew sets up with that in mind, keeps the area below the chimney clear and asks that children and pets stay inside while the product is applied and drying. The same instructions give a drying time of two to six hours, depending on temperature and humidity.
