Chimney Services
Sealing your Lock Arbor chimney, from prep to final coat
Penetrating repellent versus a surface film
Clear masonry coatings fall into two families, according to Brick Industry Association Technical Note 6A. Film formers such as acrylics, urethanes and waxes leave a continuous layer on the surface. Penetrants such as silanes and siloxanes soak into the masonry, up to about 3/8 inch deep, and leave no surface film.
For an exterior chimney the difference is practical. A film can look glossy, trap moisture and eventually cloud or flake, while a penetrant changes how the pores take up water and leaves the surface looking much as it did. Our specialists use penetrating repellents on Lock Arbor chimneys and name the product on the estimate.
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.
What a waterproofing estimate should say
A clear waterproofing estimate names the product, the surfaces and area to be treated, the preparation, the protection of nearby surfaces and any repairs that must come first. Each repair sits on its own line, so you can approve the repellent separately from the masonry work.
Our estimates follow that pattern, priced upfront with no hidden fees. The product named on the estimate is the product that goes on your chimney, and its data sheet is available if you want to read it.
Booking chimney waterproofing
Waterproofing starts with the free inspection, where the surface is assessed, repairs are identified and the area to be treated is measured. The application is then scheduled for a dry day, and repairs that need to cure come first. If repairs are needed, the repair visit and the treatment visit are listed separately, so you can see the sequence and the price of each.
When the schedule has room, the inspection can happen the same day. Anything you book with our family-owned company in the 72 hours after it is 10% off.
