I have a double-flue chimney that has a leaky cap. It gets saturated
with water, then drips down into the wall cavity. I don't think it has
yet caused any real rot (hope not anyway) but I need to seal it from the
elements. I tried cleaning it with bleach/Jomax .. let it dry
thoroughly, then gave it 2 coats of RustOleum's epoxy-based concrete
paint. It held for about a year, but it is now coming off in big
flakes & pieces. What type of material is best to seal this porous
surface ?? ?? I thought about the paint they use on mobile home roofs,
but am looking for opinions. How about that rubber membrane they use
in shower-pans ?? ?? Just thinking out loud .. .. .. any
ideas/thoughts would be much appreciated.

On Feb 11, 8:37*pm, "__ Bøb __" wrote:
I have a double-flue chimney that has a leaky cap. * It gets saturated
with water, then drips down into the wall cavity. * I don't think it has
yet caused any real rot (hope not anyway) but I need to seal it from the
elements. * I tried cleaning it with bleach/Jomax .. let it dry
thoroughly, then gave it 2 coats of RustOleum's epoxy-based concrete
paint. * It held for about a year, but it is now coming off in big
flakes & pieces. * What type of material is best to seal this porous
surface ?? ?? * I thought about the paint they use on mobile home roofs,
but am looking for opinions. * How about that rubber membrane they use
in shower-pans ?? ?? * Just thinking out loud .. .. .. any
ideas/thoughts would be much appreciated.

I'm a little confused by your question, but I THINK I might
understand..

Some 15 years ago, I moved into a house that had a leakage problem,
basically from the chimney. Went through a lot of "experts" until I
finally found three different guys who all managed to agree on the
solution, sort of, even though they never met each other (at least
that I know).

Basically, told me to get a good chimney cap. I did (stainless steel,
etc.). Told me to build big fires when there was a lot of rain -- I
don't really do this but it was a good idea.

Finally, all told me to use Tamms Chemstop each August before the
rainy season. Ever since I followed their advice, I have had no
problems. Tamms changed their formula a few years ago, and it scared
me, but it still seems to work fine.

Anyway, I have to buy it at a Masonary supply outfit, and it goes for
$25 a gallon, but it only takes about half-a-gallon each August, so,
it's about $12.50 a year....even though the jug says not to keep it
that long, I do and it still works.

Anyway, try some Tamms, only problem you have to apply it when it is
dry and going to be dry for a few days....

Here's a webpage with some information -- use the Heavy Duty for
chimney's:

http://www.weberstone.com/chemstwb.pdf

On Feb 11, 8:37*pm, "__ Bøb __" wrote:
I have a double-flue chimney that has a leaky cap. * It gets saturated
with water, then drips down into the wall cavity. * I don't think it has
yet caused any real rot (hope not anyway) but I need to seal it from the
elements. * I tried cleaning it with bleach/Jomax .. let it dry
thoroughly, then gave it 2 coats of RustOleum's epoxy-based concrete
paint. * It held for about a year, but it is now coming off in big
flakes & pieces. * What type of material is best to seal this porous
surface ?? ?? * I thought about the paint they use on mobile home roofs,
but am looking for opinions. * How about that rubber membrane they use
in shower-pans ?? ?? * Just thinking out loud .. .. .. any
ideas/thoughts would be much appreciated.

Reading again, it almost sounds as if you need a new cap....if you do,
just buy one. They arent that expensive. Mine, custom-made and
installed was only $50...of course that was 15 years ago...

My "cap" is actually just a bed of mortar-like substance that appears to
be troweled-on over the top course of brick. It's not a "cast" cap
like many I've seen before.

wrote:
Reading again, it almost sounds as if you need a new cap....if you do,
just buy one. They arent that expensive. Mine, custom-made and
installed was only $50...of course that was 15 years ago...

Actually, I've just thought of another option .. .. how about the thick,
varnish-looking sealer that some folks use on their sidewalks &
driveways ?? ?? It penetrates pretty deep, and probably would need to
be reapplied every other year or so. Again, just thinking out loud ..
... ..

__ Bøb __ wrote:
My "cap" is actually just a bed of mortar-like substance that appears
to be troweled-on over the top course of brick. It's not a "cast"
cap like many I've seen before.
wrote:
Reading again, it almost sounds as if you need a new cap....if you do,
just buy one. They arent that expensive. Mine, custom-made and
installed was only $50...of course that was 15 years ago...

Bob,

Have you asked a mason about this? Your solution of "painting" doesn't
impress me, so fix the problem.Start by having your chimney inspected. I bet
you can replace the top of your chimney fairly cheaply. You may wish to have
a chimney cap installed at the same time. From your description you do not
have a chimney cap at present.

Dave M.

On Mon, 11 Feb 2008 23:37:45 -0500, "__ Bøb __"
wrote:

I have a double-flue chimney that has a leaky cap. It gets saturated
with water, then drips down into the wall cavity. I don't think it has
yet caused any real rot (hope not anyway) but I need to seal it from the
elements. I tried cleaning it with bleach/Jomax .. let it dry
thoroughly, then gave it 2 coats of RustOleum's epoxy-based concrete
paint. It held for about a year, but it is now coming off in big
flakes & pieces. What type of material is best to seal this porous
surface ?? ?? I thought about the paint they use on mobile home roofs,
but am looking for opinions. How about that rubber membrane they use
in shower-pans ?? ?? Just thinking out loud .. .. .. any
ideas/thoughts would be much appreciated.

Make your own chimney cap out of vinyl coated aluminum sheets. Use
Quad seal on the seams.

"David L. Martel" wrote Bob,

Start by having your chimney inspected. I bet you can replace the top of
your chimney fairly cheaply. You may wish to have a chimney cap installed
at the same time. From your description you do not have a chimney cap at
present.

Agreed. I think the terms are being confused.

Bob, a chimney cap is a device that fits over the tp of the chimney, looks
like a 'cap' and is normally bolted into the brick (cheap ones use just
tension to hold in place but those come off in wind). It completely covers
over the top but is lifted up about 3-4 inches so air flows under it just
fine.
______
/ \
----| |-----

Thats sort of what it looks like. --- are the brick sides where the bolts
go into the chimney
----| solid bar is normally just a post at each side bolted to the brick abd
allows air flow for draft all around the posts.

They cost from 25-50$ depending on how fancy you need. They even come in
cool looking designer fashions.

Also Bob, you are headed for real trouble and $$$ if you dont get a proper
cap up there. I paid 1,725$ for repairs after renters let the cap blow off
this past Spring and just didnt bother to do anything about it til I got
back (ousting them as their lease was up so we could move in). As it is, I
was very lucky to be able to handle it before the first freeze. The damage
after freezing would per their estimates, possibly been extensive.