Our Process

Waterproofing a chimney in Woodruff Springs, in detail

A test area before the whole chimney

Manufacturers and the Brick Industry Association both recommend testing first. Instructions for a water-based siloxane repellent ask for a small test area on each type of surface before general application, and Technical Note 6A suggests treating half of a test area that shows the full range of brick colors so treated and untreated brick can be compared.

On your Woodruff Springs chimney we pick an area you can see from the ground, treat it and let it dry before the rest is done. You judge the look with your own eyes, and the rest of the chimney is treated only after you agree.

Stucco chimneys and water repellent

Portland cement stucco is porous and can take a penetrating repellent. The ChimneySaver data sheet lists portland cement stucco among its uses and gives it a coverage range of its own, which reflects how differently stucco absorbs compared with brick.

Cracks in stucco are a repair first. Our specialists check the finish on a stucco chimney in Woodruff Springs for cracks, soft spots and separation at the trim, and quote stucco repair separately from any repellent. A sound but thirsty stucco finish can then be treated, with a test area first, as on any surface.

Asking the brick maker when it is known

Brick is not all alike. Technical Note 6A suggests consulting the brick manufacturer, whenever possible, before selecting a coating, since the properties of each brick are unique and can affect how a coating performs.

For most homes the maker is unknown, and the test area does that job instead. Where the brick is known or unusual, our specialists take that into account when choosing the repellent for your Woodruff Springs chimney. A chimney repaired over the years may mix bricks from different sources, and the test area shows how each kind takes the product.

Reading dark and damp patches on the brick

After rain, a chimney dries unevenly. Faces that stay dark for days, a band of dampness under the crown or dark streaks below a joint all point to where water is getting in and how slowly the brick releases it.

Our specialists read those patterns during the free inspection. Evenly absorbent brick is a candidate for a repellent, while concentrated wet areas usually lead back to a joint, crack, crown or flashing that needs repair first. We show you the patterns on your Woodruff Springs chimney, so the recommendation makes sense to you as well as to us.