[dartman92]

Hi
I have a mason chimney that is leaking into my basement. WHen in the basement I can see water in the back corners of the chimney above grade. It appears to be running down between the bricks and wood. We had a stone cap on top that was cracked but I had it replaced with a poured concrete cap and we still have the leak. We have weep holes but my builder is at a loss for what is happening. Any ideas?

 

[Tom Struble]

what do you see in the attic?

 

[dartman92]

The attic is dry ... the leak is on the back of the chimney away from the house. My builder did have the roofer and mason back out, they replaced the flashing and shingles, and they cut the morter and folded in the flashing and calked.

 

[Tom Struble]

i guess you should try caulking down each side of the chimney where the siding butts in are there any windows on that side?

 

[westphaltyler]

As long as you are sure that the flashing is not the problem your only other option is to seal your chimney with a product like thompson water seal. Any type of mason chimney wheather it be brick, stone, or just cinder blocks all have one thing in common. They take on moisture like a sponge and can bring the moisture downward. Make sure the surface is clear or dirt, moss etc. caulk all cracks with the proper caulking and seal away. This should be done at least once every two years. If you live in a freeze and thaw climate moisture in your chimney will decay the masonry products prematurely. GOOD LUCK

 

[dartman92]

thanks for the reply when they replaced the cap they sealed down both sides of the chimney, they also applied a sealer to the bricks. We do have windows on either side of the chimney but with the leak on the back side it would have to make 2 turns.

if you have any other ideas I am open, thanks again

 

[dartman92]

I do live in a cold weather area, and when we had the chimney cap replaced they caulked down the sides and added a sealer, I do not know which one. this chimney is 18-24 months old. I am at a loss for what do to or even who to call any other recomendations would be helpful
thanks

 

[jomama45]

There's some preatty experienced people on hear. The more pictures you can put up of the chimney, cap & flashing, the more help you can get. :thumbup:

 

[pharmboy]

Does the ground slope away enough around the chimney?

 

[dartman92]

additional pictures

thanks for all the help, I have attached a couple new photo's, I will try and get some of the new cap and flashing, the only ones I have are from before the fix.

 

[dartman92]

the ground is below the bricks by 4-6 inches, it does slop away but not very sharp. I posted some additional pictures. hope it helps

 

[dartman92]

The picture with the water going down the wall make it look like it is coming in from possibly the ground however the water comes in the corners and the back wall then travel along the top of the 2x4 on the concrete and then down. hope that helps

 

[Gary in WA]

If that pic. is of the 1st floor or 2nd floor, it appears to be a roof leak. Possibly a leak anywhere from the chimney cricket to the house ridge. Running on the felt paper down, and under the cricket, to the chimney. The framer would have sheathed the area in front of the chimney first, then built his cricket. Look carefully for a hole on , or in the cricket valleys. Put roof tar under the first cricket ridge cap at the house transition. My guess, leak would be there. Be safe, GBAR

 

[dartman92]

all interior pictures of the leaks are all from the basement, the insulation was on the wood just above grade.
thanks for the input.

 

[Gary in WA]

Maybe the J-trim vinyl at the window(s) to side of chimney is leaking? Tie, with rope, a tarp to one side of house at a time, covering 1/2 of the chimney. Hose the other side with water, house and windows, after all sign of leaks dry up. No leaks down below, do the other side, at least you'll know it's not the trim or windows. If it is, you could silicone caulk the J -trim to the brick - not J to siding. Are the bottoms of the side windows sitting level? If not, the water flow down the window may be going behind the J near chimney or J near window. Be safe, GBAR