Chimney Waterproofing in Epping, NH & Southern NH

Most chimney problems start with water. You won’t see it at first. Brick and mortar are porous, so every rainstorm and snowmelt soaks in a little more. Eventually it shows up as a damp spot on the wall, a puddle in the basement or a fireplace that smells musty after a storm.

By then, the damage has usually been building for years. Water-damaged masonry costs a lot to repair, and waterproofing costs a small fraction of that.

What to Look for on Your Chimney

Walk outside and take a look. Any of these means your chimney is soaking up more water than it should:

White, chalky stains on the brick. This is called efflorescence. Water seeps into the masonry, dissolves natural salts and leaves them behind on the surface.
Moss or mildew on the brick. You’ll see this most on chimneys that sit in the shade and never fully dry out.
Cracked, chipped or crumbling brick and mortar. New Hampshire winters are hard on masonry. Water soaks in, freezes, expands and breaks the brick apart from the inside. Each winter makes it a little worse.

If you’ve noticed any of these, or you’re not sure what you’re looking at, we’re happy to come take a look.

Why We Use Chimney Defender Waterproofing

We use Chimney Defender Next Gen Water Repellent from National Chimney Supply because it protects your chimney without causing new problems.

Many store-bought products coat the brick like plastic wrap. They keep rain out, but they also trap moisture inside, and that trapped moisture causes the cracking and crumbling you were trying to prevent.

Chimney Defender soaks deep into the brick and mortar instead. Once it cures, the masonry repels rain and snow but can still breathe, so moisture already inside the chimney can dry out. Your chimney stays protected from both directions.

What it does for your chimney:

Stops water from soaking in, which prevents the leaks, cracks and deterioration that come with it
Stands up to New England winters by keeping out the moisture that freezes and breaks brick apart
Cuts down on white staining and surface wear over time
Leaves your brick looking the same. No shine, no color change, nothing you can see.
Comes with a lifetime warranty. One professional application gives your chimney long-term protection.

What to expect on waterproofing day

1. We inspect first.
Before anything goes on your chimney, we check the brick, mortar joints and crown. If we find cracks or gaps that need repair, we’ll tell you and explain your options. Waterproofing over damaged masonry isn’t worth doing.

2. We prep the surface.
We clean the masonry so the repellent can soak in properly.

3. We apply it the right way.
Chimney Defender goes on from the bottom of the chimney to the top. We apply a second coat within minutes while the first is still wet. This “wet-on-wet” method drives the protection deep into the masonry instead of leaving it on the surface.

4. It keeps working after we leave.
The protection starts forming right away and reaches full strength within about a week. You won’t see it, but your chimney will be shedding water instead of soaking it up.