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A leaking chimney stains ceilings and rots framing before you ever see water. We trace the leak to its source — flashing, crown, or brick — and stop it.
Chimney Leak Repair & Waterproofing in Cleveland, OH
A leaking chimney is one of the most common — and most misdiagnosed — problems we see in Greater Cleveland. By the time water shows up as a stain on an upstairs ceiling or a damp spot near the fireplace, it's usually been getting in for a while, quietly rotting framing and damaging plaster. The key to fixing a chimney leak for good is finding where the water is actually getting in, not just sealing the nearest surface.
Chimney leaks come from a handful of usual suspects: failed flashing where the chimney meets the roof, a cracked or deteriorated crown on top, porous or spalling brick and open mortar joints, or a missing or damaged cap letting rain straight down the flue. Cleveland's freeze-thaw weather and lake-effect moisture accelerate every one of these. We diagnose which it is — often it's more than one — and repair the actual source.
Once the leak is fixed, we waterproof the chimney with a breathable, vapor-permeable sealer. This is critical: a proper chimney waterproofing repels rain while still letting any moisture already in the masonry escape. The wrong sealer traps water inside the brick and makes freeze-thaw damage worse. We use the right product so your chimney stays dry for years.
We find the real source — then waterproof so it stays fixed.
Where chimney leaks start (and what we fix):
- Flashing — The metal seal where the chimney meets the roof — the most common leak point. We reseal or replace it.
- Crown — A cracked crown lets water straight into the structure. We repair or rebuild it.
- Brick & mortar — Porous brick and open joints soak up water. We repoint and waterproof to seal them.
- Cap — A missing or damaged cap lets rain down the flue. We install a proper cap to close it off.
Most failed leak 'repairs' happen because someone sealed the surface without finding the real entry point. We diagnose first — checking flashing, crown, brick, and cap — fix the actual source, and finish with breathable waterproofing. That's why our chimney leak repairs hold through Cleveland winters instead of coming back next spring.
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Why Choose Righteous
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Real Diagnosis
We find where water is truly entering — flashing, crown, brick, or cap — before we fix anything.
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Source Repairs
We repair the actual cause: reflashing, crown rebuilds, repointing, or a new cap as needed.
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Breathable Waterproofing
A vapor-permeable sealer that repels rain without trapping moisture and worsening freeze-thaw.
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Leaks That Stay Fixed
Done right at the source, our repairs hold up through Northeast Ohio's wettest, coldest seasons.
Solving a Years-Long Leak in Euclid
A Euclid homeowner near the lake had a ceiling stain two other contractors couldn't stop. We found a cracked crown and failed flashing on the lake-facing side, rebuilt the crown, reflashed, and waterproofed the brick.
How we handled it
- Diagnose: Traced the water to a cracked crown and failed flashing — not the roof.
- Rebuild the crown: Poured a new sloped crown to shed water away from the flue.
- Reflash: Installed new step and counter flashing where the chimney meets the roof.
- Waterproof: Applied a breathable sealer to the brick. Dry through two winters since.
Is your chimney ready for winter?
Chimney sweeping, inspections, relining, repair, and full masonry restoration across Greater Cleveland. Honest assessments, written estimates, and work done right — call today for a free estimate.
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What Greater Cleveland Homeowners Say
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Honest Inspection, No Scare Tactics
Another company tried to sell me a full chimney rebuild. Righteous came out, ran a camera inspection, showed me the actual flue, and said all I needed was a sweep and a new cap. Saved me thousands. This is who I'll call from now on.
Karen M. Lakewood, OH -
Finally Stopped a Years-Long Leak
Two roofers couldn't figure out where the water was coming from. Righteous found it was the chimney crown and flashing, rebuilt the crown, reflashed, and waterproofed it. Dry through the whole winter for the first time in years.
Tom B. Euclid, OH -
Beautiful Tuck Pointing on Our 1920s Home
Our brick was crumbling at the joints. They repointed the whole chimney and a section of wall with mortar that actually matches the original. You can't tell where the new work starts. Craftsmanship you don't see much anymore.
Diane R. Cleveland Heights, OH -
Quick, Clean, and Straightforward
Swept the chimney, inspected it, and walked me through everything with photos. Showed up on time, laid down drop cloths, left zero mess. Fair price, no upselling. Exactly how it should be done.
Mike S. Parma, OH
Chimney Leak FAQs
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Telltale signs are water stains on the ceiling or wall around the chimney, a damp or musty smell near the fireplace, white staining on the brick, or a smoky odor when it rains. We diagnose the exact source — sometimes a 'roof leak' is actually the chimney, and vice versa.
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Usually because the previous repair sealed a surface without finding the true entry point. Water finds another way in. We diagnose all the likely sources — flashing, crown, brick, cap — and fix the actual cause, which is why our repairs last.
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Waterproofing applies a breathable, vapor-permeable sealer to the brick that repels rain while letting existing moisture escape. In Cleveland's freeze-thaw climate it's one of the best ways to prevent leaks and masonry damage. We apply it after fixing any active leak.
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This service focuses on the chimney — its flashing, crown, brick, and cap. Our separate masonry waterproofing service covers brick and stone walls and facades. If your leak is chimney-related, this is the right page.
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Yes. Unaddressed chimney leaks rot roof framing and attic structure, ruin plaster and drywall, and can lead to mold. Catching and fixing a leak early is far cheaper than the interior repairs that follow neglect.