The real entry point found
Five different failures produce the same stain on your ceiling. We find which one you have before quoting a repair.
Free written estimate before any work begins
Chimney Leak & Waterproofing in the San Francisco Bay Area
Diagnose the actual entry point, fix it, then treat the masonry with a breathable water repellent.
Licensed & insured11 years experience5.0 star ratedUpfront pricing
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5 entry pointsChecked on every leak call
BreathableVapour-permeable repellent
Why chimney leak & waterproofing matters
Bay Area rain arrives in concentrated winter storms and is often driven sideways by wind, which pushes water into the windward face of a stack rather than simply onto the top of it. Masonry that would shed vertical rain happily can soak through under that kind of load, and the damage shows up inside the house long after it started.
Our guarantee
If you are not satisfied with the result, we come back and make it right at no charge.
Benefits
What you get
Flashing done properly
Where the chimney meets the roof is the second most common leak, and the one most often patched badly with sealant.
Breathable waterproofing
A vapour-permeable repellent keeps rain out while letting trapped moisture escape. Sealing masonry with the wrong product traps water inside and accelerates the damage.
Interior damage stopped
Fixing the source protects the plaster, the framing and any timbers built into the chimney breast.
Warning signs
When to book chimney leak & waterproofing
- Damp patches or staining on the ceiling or wall beside the chimney
- A white powdery bloom on the outside brickwork
- Damp, musty smell from the fireplace after rain
- Rusty damper, or rust marks in the firebox
- Peeling paint or wallpaper on the chimney breast
- Visibly dark, saturated brickwork on one face of the stack after a storm
- Water audibly dripping inside the flue
Book chimney leak & waterproofing today
Call (209) 447-0752 or request a quote online.
Process
How we do it
Inspect inside and out
Interior staining traced back to the structure, and the stack, crown, cap and flashing examined from the roof.
Identify the entry point
Crown, cap, flashing, mortar joints or brick face. Often more than one, and the quote says which.
Repair the source
Flashing replaced or reseated, crown sealed or recast, joints repointed, cap fitted.
Apply a breathable repellent
A vapour-permeable water repellent on the masonry once the repairs are complete and the structure is dry.
Our work
Recent chimney leak & waterproofing jobs
Photographs from jobs our own crews have completed.
Questions
Chimney Leak & Waterproofing FAQs
Why is my chimney leaking only in heavy storms?
That usually points to wind-driven rain being pushed into the face of the masonry rather than water entering from directly above. Vertical rain sheds off; sideways rain soaks in. It is a common pattern on the Peninsula and the coast and it points the diagnosis at the brickwork and the flashing rather than the crown.
Can I just seal the chimney with waterproofing paint?
Please do not. Standard masonry sealers and paints trap moisture inside the brick, and trapped water freezes, expands and spalls the face off. Chimneys need a vapour-permeable repellent that stops liquid water entering while still letting vapour out.
Is the flashing part of the chimney or the roof?
It sits between the two, which is why it often gets missed by both trades. We inspect and quote it as part of any leak diagnosis.
More
Other services we offer
Chimney Sweep
Full creosote and soot removal to CSIA standard, with a camera check of the flue before we pack up.
Learn more about Chimney SweepChimney Inspection
Level 1 and Level 2 inspections with a written report and camera footage, including inspections for a home sale.
Learn more about Chimney InspectionChimney Repair
Crown repair, liner replacement, repointing and rebuilds, quoted in writing before any work starts.
Learn more about Chimney RepairContact Alpine Chimney
Alpine Chimney Company
1080 Broadway
Millbrae, CA 94030
(209) 447-0752
info@alpinechimneycompany.com
Open 24/7Every day, including holidays
Request a Free Quote
Fast response. No obligation.