Does a masonry chimney need waterproofing or crown maintenance?
Yes, and in Asheville the older the house the more it matters — Montford and North Asheville are full of century-old chimneys whose original crowns and soft brick have been drinking rain for decades. At 2,134 feet the water they soak up freezes most winter nights, so annual crown and waterproofing checks are the cheapest protection you own.
Old brick, thirsty brick
The masonry in Montford, Kenilworth, and the older stretches of North Asheville was laid with lime mortar and softer brick than anything a modern mason uses — beautiful, and porous as a sponge. Every rain soaks the face; every cold night at our elevation turns that moisture to ice that pries flakes off the brick a layer at a time. On the oldest chimneys the crown is often a thin mortar wash that has already crazed with hairline cracks. Left alone, those cracks widen, the flue gets wet, and a job that was a sealant becomes a rebuild.
Newer South Asheville is a different animal
Head toward Biltmore Village and the newer South Asheville builds and you're usually looking at factory-built fireplaces in framed chases, not solid masonry — there the thing shedding water isn't a poured crown but a metal chase cover up top. Different part, same job, same failure mode: once it corrodes or its seams open, water runs down the chase into the framing. Knowing which kind of chimney you actually have decides what needs sealing, and that's the first thing we sort out on an inspection.
Local, and close by
Our showroom and crews sit at 629 Emma Rd in West Asheville, so getting eyes on a city chimney is quick. We look at the crown, brick, flashing, and cap in one visit, seal breathable — never paint — and hand any full masonry rebuild to our mason partners while we keep the flue and cap ours. Late summer, before the wet cold sets in, is the window. The cheapest version of this job is always the one done before water reaches the drywall. Call (828) 545-0525.
Fireplace help in Asheville
We install and service fireplaces throughout Asheville and the rest of Buncombe County — we're headquartered right here.
Related questions
- What is a chimney chase cover, and when does it need replacing?
- Do chimney caps need to be inspected or replaced?
- How long does a chimney liner last, and when should it be replaced?
- Does the flashing where the chimney meets the roof need periodic inspection?
- Does an outdoor masonry or stone fireplace need sealing to protect it from freeze-thaw damage?