Why does my chimney leak in Valley Stream when it rains hard?

Nor'easters and tropical storm remnants drive rain sideways, and wind-driven rain gets in where ordinary rain runs past. Cracks in the crown, failed flashing and open mortar joints are the usual doorways.

Is the leak worse after winter?

Often, yes. Valley Stream's winters cycle repeatedly through freeze and thaw, and freezing water widens every crack it finds. Early spring is when many homeowners first notice the stain.

Does One Call Chimney do the repair?

No. We are a referral and scheduling service that arranges the work with independent sweeps and masons. The technician inspects, gives you the price, and you approve it before work starts.

Do I need a permit to fix a chimney leak?

In New York, permits are issued locally, not by the state. Routine sweeping and inspection generally don't need one, but structural masonry work such as rebuilding above the roofline usually does. Call the local building department before work begins.

What should I ask the technician?

Ask where the water is getting in and how they know. Ask for photos or camera footage of what they found, and ask for the reasoning behind each repair in writing.

Who to call for chimney leak in Valley Stream, NY

Valley Stream sits a few miles from Jamaica Bay and the South Shore, and many homes here are 1920s to 1950s Tudors, colonials and capes with masonry chimneys. A damp patch on the ceiling next to the chimney almost certainly means water is getting in at the flashing, the crown, the cap, or through worn brick and mortar. The people who fix this are independent sweeps and masons. One Call Chimney is a referral and scheduling service: we arrange that work with them, but we are not the contractor and we do not do the work. Choose someone who traces the entry point, shows you what they found, and gives you the price before they start.

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Water finds the weak spot and keeps using it. Valley Stream has cold winters that cycle again and again through freeze and thaw, and each cycle widens every crack in the crown and mortar. Add nor'easters and the remnants of tropical storms, and wind-driven rain gets in where ordinary rain would run past. The stain on your ceiling is often the last sign of a problem that started higher up.

While you wait — please don't

Don't seal over the leak yourself. Caulk or tar on the outside can trap water inside the masonry and hide the real entry point.
Don't climb onto the roof to look. A wet roof beside a chimney is a bad place to slip, and the technician will inspect it safely.
Don't stand or park under loose brick. A chimney that has been wet for years can become structurally unsound, and falling brick is a hazard at the base.
Stop using the fireplace if smoke enters the room. If anyone feels dizzy, sick or has a headache, get outside and call 911, because it could be carbon monoxide.

What the technician does

Free estimate firstThe technician inspects the chimney and gives you the price before any work starts. You approve it first.
The entry point is tracedThe aim is to find where the water actually gets in, not to seal over the stain.
Flashing is replacedWhere the flashing has failed, it is replaced and counter-flashed into the mortar joint.
Crown and cap are dealt withA cracked crown is repaired or recast, and a cap is fitted to keep rain out of the flue.
Masonry is repairedMortar joints are repointed and spalled brick is replaced.
Water repellent where it suitsA breathable water repellent may be applied where appropriate. Ask the technician to explain the reasoning in writing.

Why this happens in Valley Stream, NY

Many Valley Stream homes have older oil or converted gas heating systems venting into original clay-lined masonry chimneys. These chimneys have faced decades of freeze and thaw. Salt-laden air from the South Shore adds to the wear, and the humid summers keep masonry damp. If your home is in Gibson, Westwood, Mill Brook or another older part of the village, the chimney may be as old as the house.

Work tends to peak in early spring, after freeze-thaw and nor'easter damage, and again in late summer and fall, as people get ready for hurricane season and heating season. New York has no statewide chimney-sweep license. Several downstate counties, Nassau among them, run their own home improvement contractor licensing programs. Check requirements with the county or local consumer affairs office, and call the local building department about permits before any structural masonry work.

Questions people ask

Why does my chimney leak in Valley Stream when it rains hard?: Nor'easters and tropical storm remnants drive rain sideways, and wind-driven rain gets in where ordinary rain runs past. Cracks in the crown, failed flashing and open mortar joints are the usual doorways.
Is the leak worse after winter?: Often, yes. Valley Stream's winters cycle repeatedly through freeze and thaw, and freezing water widens every crack it finds. Early spring is when many homeowners first notice the stain.
Does One Call Chimney do the repair?: No. We are a referral and scheduling service that arranges the work with independent sweeps and masons. The technician inspects, gives you the price, and you approve it before work starts.
Do I need a permit to fix a chimney leak?: In New York, permits are issued locally, not by the state. Routine sweeping and inspection generally don't need one, but structural masonry work such as rebuilding above the roofline usually does. Call the local building department before work begins.
What should I ask the technician?: Ask where the water is getting in and how they know. Ask for photos or camera footage of what they found, and ask for the reasoning behind each repair in writing.

One call

Call (866) 576-7943 and we will arrange an independent technician to look at your Valley Stream chimney. The estimate is free, and the price is agreed with you before any work starts.

Call now · (866) 576-7943