How To Prevent Rusting on Or Around Your Chimney

Prevent Rusting On and Around Your Chimney

Now that snow-capped roofs are melting, many folks in Burlington, WI, and throughout southern Wisconsin and northern Illinois are noticing something that resembles strokes of reddish-orange paint dripping on or around the chimney. This unappealing natural artwork of rusting metal components should be considered a flashing red light indicating that your chimney needs the immediate attention of a Certified Chimney Professional® to prevent further damage to the structure and venting system.

Rusted Chimney Chase Cover Repair in Walworth WIWhere There is Rust, There Is …

Anytime you see rust appearing anywhere on or around the chimney is a big problem. The problem with rust, or iron oxide, is that it is very corrosive. Do you remember what happens when you don’t replace dead batteries in your portable radio? That’s right, rust oozes out of the casing and damages the radio. So, you throw it away and buy a new radio. However, it’s a lot more costly to rebuild a chimney, which is why it is essential to repair areas on or around the chimney that are rusting as soon as possible.

Some areas on or around the stack where you may see rusting are exterior metal components like the chimney cap, chase cover, chimney cap, and flue cover. When it rains, you may see reddish-orange streaks down the sides of the chimney, staining the chase, siding, and masonry.

When you have rust on the exterior, it’s probably inside the chimney too. Rust is like termites. It eats through everything it touches and can destroy the chimney and internal components if not resolved promptly.

Common Reasons Your Chimney Is Rusting

Now, you may be wondering what some common reasons are causing your chimney to rust:

  1. Quality of metal components
  2. Exposure to rain and humidity
  3. Lack of maintenance, i.e., annual chimney inspections and cleaning

How to Prevent Rusting Around the Chimney

The best way to prevent chimney rusting is to install chimney caps, chase covers, and other components using high-grade metal materials like stainless steel, copper, brass, bronze, and titanium, which round out the top five.

Galvanized Vs. Stainless Steel

While both galvanized and stainless steel are naturally water, rust, and pest-resistant metals, that’s where their similarities end. Due to its lower cost, galvanized steel is among the most common metal used in many different manufactured and builder-grade chimney components, including chimney caps and chase covers.

Galvanized steel is produced by mixing zinc with iron. The result is a metal with a matte surface. However, the thin zinc coating is easily damaged with continuous exposure to frequent rain, snow, hail, and UV rays.

On the other hand, stainless steel contains chromium, which produces a significantly more durable metal with a hard, shiny surface. As a result, stainless steel chimney components are better able to withstand extreme weather conditions like we often experience in the northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin areas.

Installing more robust metal components, annual inspections, and professional chimney sweeping can extend the useful life of your chimney, minimizing future repairs and premature replacement.

Rusty chimney Cap in Mount Pleasant WIChimney Rust Repair and Removal Experts in Kenosha, WI – Hebron IL

If you notice rust or staining on or around your chimney, call Burlington Fireplace at 262-763-3522 today to schedule a chimney inspection as soon as possible.

Our certified chimney professionals will thoroughly examine and recommend the required inspection, cleaning, repairs, and replacements so your family can enjoy a beautiful chimney and fireplace.

We serve customers in towns throughout the southern Wisconsin and northern Illinois region. Or contact us online for a free estimate.

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