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View Full Version : HELP... PLEASE.. chimney leak? Carpet wet around fireplace...


yoda
Dec 20, 2005, 10:00 PM
Hi... I hope someone understands what might be going on..

Several weeks ago, while it was raining, we noticed in our downstairs room, the plasterboard above the wood stove...
Was wet... and dripping.. onto the brick hearth... that the wood stove sits upon.

My husband went up on the roof when it stopped raining,. and sealed the flashing... all around... ( with a sealer that Ace Hardware boys recommended)

It was dry enough for awhile to let the seal dry ontop of the roof.

Then it began to rain again... and it started dripping again...

Only now... upstairs in the front room, around the fireplace... the carpet is wet.

About 2 feet out... all around the fireplace...

Any ideas? We would appreciate it sooo much !

Lotta
Dec 21, 2005, 06:16 AM
Do you have a chimney cap?

labman
Dec 21, 2005, 07:04 AM
Lotta asks about the chimney cap because water could be going down the vent and leaking out. You could check if there seems to be water inside the stove, but not on the outside of the vent, it is likely it is coming in the vent. If sealing around the vent changed where the water is coming in, I would look at the area more. You may want to inspect things in the attic if you can. I discovered a leak this year between the rubber roof jack and the pipe going up through it. A little tar there fixed the problem.

I like the local Ace hardware. You seldom go wrong following their advice, and often their prices are the same or less than Lowe's and Home Depot.

yoda
Dec 21, 2005, 11:43 AM
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR HELPING :>)

I am sorry... I described it incorrectly... it is not a chimney if you will, it is a wood box surround... with pipes and caps...

There are 3 metal stove pipes... side by side.. going horizonal like this _________

Just pretend you see 3 stove pipes sticking up... the line represents the wood surround box... ( it looks like a chimney only wood... )

Here is a picture of something similar.. only ours is wider... to hold 3 pipes.. and is wood looking.. to match the house.. and the pipes stick up higher... and the caps are larger like big baking pans...

See attachment:

CAPS:
Yes... each pipe has a large 16 in by 14 in baking pan looking cap... ) approx. each one looks pretty big) My husband has been up... I am trying to help him :>)

The pipes are visible above the wood surround box... about 14 inches... and they stick up with their individual caps on.

labman
Dec 21, 2005, 12:35 PM
Pros call them coolie caps, not pie plates. Usually something is installed to keep rain out. Surprisingly, it can be a slightly bigger pipe that isn't sealed to the vent. Sounds like maybe your husband dabbed tar where the water was coming in, and it found another place. I guess look things over, and try again. Part of the wood or vinyl chimney could need caulked too.

skiberger
Dec 21, 2005, 03:22 PM
Your wood box is called a chimney case. Check on the chase cap all of the seams... probably sheet metal... and where the pipe(s) exit the chase. Make sure the wood joints on the upper 1/2 of the chase are tight also.