ᐅ Chimney not properly sealed? Water leaking in – who is responsible?
Created on: 4 Jun 2020 09:41
T
TwiggyG85
Hello everyone,
Following my last question about the structural engineer (we managed to install the beam and it’s still holding ^^), now to my best friend throughout the renovation phase, the roofer.
I’ll skip the emotions here, so let’s stick to the facts.
In short: Rainwater is entering the house through the chimney wall.
The roofer took a look at the problem and said it’s no one’s fault, but it can be fixed for around 1000€ (about 1100 USD). Here are the details.
When the roof was installed, our chimney looked like in the following picture (the point of contention is the flashing).
This flashing was removed AFTER the roofing work was finished for the heating system installation. Since the flashing was removed, we have had the problem of rainwater coming in during rain and strong wind. So far, this has only occurred during the heavy rain period earlier this year. We only noticed it when a yellow stain appeared on the ceiling upstairs, so it’s hard to say what the condition was like with the flashing in place. The next picture shows the condition as seen from the attic (the plastic sheet was hanging like this in general).
On the left is the chimney wall, on the right the paneling, and above is the framing around the paneling. As you can see, light is clearly visible.
Our roofer says this is all correct, and that the flashing prevented rain from coming in. But looking at that flashing, I doubt it would hold up against storms and heavy rain, so I worry about the future insulation getting damaged.
The roofer offered to seal the chimney top with resin for about 1000€ (about 1100 USD), which is apparently a normal procedure. This should make it waterproof. Now, the money is one thing, but I have lost trust in him a long time ago, as too much has happened. I suspect he did a poor job and now wants to fix his mistakes at our expense. That’s why I’m asking the forum: if his statements are accurate and you can confirm this here, I won’t question it. But the loose plastic sheeting on the chimney wall alone raises doubts for me.
Thanks in advance.
Best regards
Following my last question about the structural engineer (we managed to install the beam and it’s still holding ^^), now to my best friend throughout the renovation phase, the roofer.
I’ll skip the emotions here, so let’s stick to the facts.
In short: Rainwater is entering the house through the chimney wall.
The roofer took a look at the problem and said it’s no one’s fault, but it can be fixed for around 1000€ (about 1100 USD). Here are the details.
When the roof was installed, our chimney looked like in the following picture (the point of contention is the flashing).
This flashing was removed AFTER the roofing work was finished for the heating system installation. Since the flashing was removed, we have had the problem of rainwater coming in during rain and strong wind. So far, this has only occurred during the heavy rain period earlier this year. We only noticed it when a yellow stain appeared on the ceiling upstairs, so it’s hard to say what the condition was like with the flashing in place. The next picture shows the condition as seen from the attic (the plastic sheet was hanging like this in general).
On the left is the chimney wall, on the right the paneling, and above is the framing around the paneling. As you can see, light is clearly visible.
Our roofer says this is all correct, and that the flashing prevented rain from coming in. But looking at that flashing, I doubt it would hold up against storms and heavy rain, so I worry about the future insulation getting damaged.
The roofer offered to seal the chimney top with resin for about 1000€ (about 1100 USD), which is apparently a normal procedure. This should make it waterproof. Now, the money is one thing, but I have lost trust in him a long time ago, as too much has happened. I suspect he did a poor job and now wants to fix his mistakes at our expense. That’s why I’m asking the forum: if his statements are accurate and you can confirm this here, I won’t question it. But the loose plastic sheeting on the chimney wall alone raises doubts for me.
Thanks in advance.
Best regards
Hello
As far as I can see, the issue is not the connection between the chimney and the roof surface, but rather the covering on the chimney.
It seems that there is only a frame around the cladding, but no full cover for the entire chimney with openings or penetrations for the exhaust pipes.
Is the visible edging on top, as I suspect, new?
Olli
As far as I can see, the issue is not the connection between the chimney and the roof surface, but rather the covering on the chimney.
It seems that there is only a frame around the cladding, but no full cover for the entire chimney with openings or penetrations for the exhaust pipes.
Is the visible edging on top, as I suspect, new?
Olli
T
TwiggyG855 Jun 2020 17:27wrobel schrieb:
...
Apparently, there is only a frame around the cladding but no cover over the entire chimney with openings / penetrations for the flue pipes.
Is the visible frame on top, as I suspect, new?
Yep, it’s new. Exactly. I tried to illustrate this in my hand sketch. It’s just the frame, not a cover, because previously there was a "large" cover like in the very first picture.
Joedreck schrieb:
Either way... The roofer removed the cover and then didn’t seal it...
Unfortunately not. As I described at the beginning, the plumber removed the cover, the roofer originally didn’t know about it and designed the chimney cladding according to the existing conditions (the large cover).
The solution is a new cover with appropriate openings for the flue pipes directly on top. That’s what I also think, and the roofer tells me the same. But he wants a lot of money for it. My problem is: Would the original "hood" have actually kept the rain out, or would water have gotten in there already? Such a hood is not a sealed chimney. Or did the roofer just save time and should have sealed the chimney properly anyway? The paneling looks perfect. If it’s sealed at the top, I have zero concerns... but based on what I know now (or suspect), I don’t want to pay for it.
K
knalltüte5 Jun 2020 18:20Hi, I had a chimney cap on my chimney for decades. When switching to an oil condensing boiler plus solar thermal system, it was removed. It also extended slightly beyond the edge. As far as I know, the cap is only there to keep rain from falling into the chimney. Since its removal 13 years ago, there has never been any water ingress into the house!
Sealing the chimney against the roof covering can and will never be the function of such a cap.
I would try to contact a dispute resolution service (such as a trade association, considering the compulsory master craftsman certification for roofers...) or alternatively ask another roofer to provide a repair quote, including a detailed description of the procedure and an explanation of why something is done a certain way or could have been done better. To be fair, you should offer to cover the "expert evaluation" costs right away. It’s best to ask about the price in advance.
Sealing the chimney against the roof covering can and will never be the function of such a cap.
I would try to contact a dispute resolution service (such as a trade association, considering the compulsory master craftsman certification for roofers...) or alternatively ask another roofer to provide a repair quote, including a detailed description of the procedure and an explanation of why something is done a certain way or could have been done better. To be fair, you should offer to cover the "expert evaluation" costs right away. It’s best to ask about the price in advance.
T
TwiggyG855 Jun 2020 20:31superzapp schrieb:
[..] As far as I know, the hood is only meant to prevent rain from falling into the chimney. Since it was dismantled 13 years ago, no rain has ever come into the house!
[..]That already matches my assumptions. Thanks also for the additional tips.
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