Sleep Easy: Leaky Chimney Repair & Prevention Near Kansas City & Beyond

Chimney Repair Services: What Leak Repair Services Does Sleep Easy Provide?

Do you hear the sounds of dripping water in your fireplace when it rains or snows? Is rust or efflorescence beginning to develop on your chimney’s exterior or the roof near the flashing? Have you discovered water stains on the ceilings or walls near your fireplace? Is vegetation or mold growing on your chimney stack? We help with any of the following:

• Chase Cover or Chimney Crown Repair: Chimney crowns are designed to cover and protect the top of your masonry chimney, as well as direct water away from the sides, while a chimney chase cover is a metal component that does a similar job, just for a prefabricated chimney (although you see them on masonry systems sometimes). If your chimney crown or chase cover is cracked or damaged in any way, your entire system could suffer.
• Chimney Cap Installation: In many ways, your chimney cap is your chimney’s very first line of defense against Mother Nature. If yours is corroded, misshapen, or missing altogether, water has direct access to your chimney flue. Our stainless steel chimney caps also keep out animal, outside debris (like leaves and twigs), and downdrafts.
• Chimney/Roof Flashing Repair: Your chimney flashing consists of metal sheets that are designed to create a watertight seal between the roof and the chimney stack. When missing or damaged, this area is the perfect place for water to seep in and wreak havoc.
• Chimney Masonry Repair: For as strong, sturdy, and long-lasting as masonry is, it is not impervious to water’s destruction. If your brickwork has not been properly maintained and professionally waterproofed, the brick and the mortar holding it all together will suffer and can cause a domino effect of systemic damage.

As masons and chimney professionals, one of our top concerns is addressing chimney water damage swiftly. Each leak can cause hundreds – or even thousands – of dollars in damages, and the more time that passes before a leak is detected and repaired, the higher those repair costs will be.

No matter where the damage stems from, we’ll find it and fix it – fast. And at Sleep Easy, we don’t make sloppy, temporary fixes… Our fireplace and chimney repairs are effective and designed to solve the problem for good.

What Are Signs I Have a Chimney Leak?

Sometimes it’s clear you have a chimney leak – like seeing water in your firebox – but a leaky chimney isn’t always so obvious. In fact, many chimney leaks develop slowly over time, showing subtle warning signs before any major damage occurs. There’s no denying that recognizing these signs early can save you time, money, and stress, so what should you be watching for?

• Water stains on your walls and ceiling. One of the most noticeable signs of a chimney leak is discoloration or water stains on the interior walls or ceilings near the chimney. These stains are often yellow, brown, or rust-colored and indicate that water is seeping through the chimney structure and into your home.
• Must or damp odors. If you’ve been noticing a musty, damp, or moldy smell coming from your fireplace or chimney – particularly after rain – it could be a sign that moisture is trapped inside the chimney system.
• Water in your firebox. This is one of those more obvious signs we mentioned above, but puddles, dampness, or dripping water inside the fireplace opening should never be ignored – it can lead to rust, mold, and structural deterioration.
• Rusted fireplace components. Rust on your fireplace damper, doors, or metal grates is a sign that moisture is entering the chimney. Even if you haven’t seen water directly, rust indicates long-term exposure to humidity or active leaks.
• Cracked, crumbling, or spalling masonry. If you notice that bricks are flaking, chipping, or breaking apart, this is often caused by water being absorbed into the masonry. The longer these issues go unaddressed, the weaker your system will become, eventually leading to significant damage.
• Efflorescence and staining. Efflorescence appears as a white, chalky residue on the outside of the chimney. It’s a sign that moisture is passing through the brick or mortar and leaving behind salt deposits. In addition, you may notice other discoloration, like red rust stains, black soot stains, or green vegetation growth.
• Missing chimney components. Things like chimney caps, chimney chase covers, and flashing protect the interior of your chimney from rain, snow, and debris. If any of these are missing, rusted, or poorly fitted, water can easily enter and travel down the flue or seep into the masonry.
• Peeling paint or wallpaper. Excess moisture from a chimney leak can cause paint to bubble, peel, or flake, or wallpaper to loosen or discolor. This often happens on interior walls adjacent to the chimney, particularly in older homes where the plaster or drywall has absorbed moisture over time.

Even minor chimney leaks can worsen over time, causing rot, mold growth, structural damage, and fire hazards – so don’t ignore the signs! Instead, schedule a professional chimney inspection as soon as possible, so we can get to the bottom of it and provide solutions.

How Do You Find the Cause of a Chimney Leak?

Chimney leaks can be frustrating – and sometimes the cause isn’t immediately obvious. Water has a way of sneaking in through even the smallest cracks or gaps, which is why a thorough inspection is crucial. The talented chimney techs here at Sleep Easy are well-versed in chimney anatomy and know all of the parts and pieces most commonly associated with leaks.

When you call on our team to fix your leaky chimney, you can expect our pros to get an up-close and personal look at the chimney crown, chimney cap, flashing, brick and mortar joist, chase covers, flue liner, and anything else that may be susceptible to water leaks or damage. Each of these areas can break down over time or be improperly installed – both of which can lead to water intrusion.

Chimney leaks can be tricky, but don’t stress – our technicians know exactly what to look for, where to look for it, and how to solve the problem once we find it. We’ll offer lasting solutions tailored to your system’s needs.

If you’re a local homeowner scouring the web for “chimney leak repair Kansas City, MO,” Sleep Easy Chimney Service & Repair is the place to call. Reach us by phone or request your appointment online today.