Chimneys
Chimneys built of masonry will eventually need tuck pointing. A cracked chimney top that allows water and carbonic acid to get behind the surface brick/stone will accelerate the deterioration. Moisture will also deteriorate the clay flue liner. Periodic chimney cleaning will keep you apprised of the chimney’s condition. The flashing around the chimney may need resealing and should be inspected every year. Fireplace chimneys should be inspected and evaluated by a chimney professional before using. Chimneys must be adequate height for proper drafting. Spark arrestors are recommended for wood burning chimney and chimney caps for fossil fuels
Unlined Chimney - should be re-evaluated by a chimney technician.
Flue linings that are covered with soot or creosote should be cleaned and re-evaluated.
Cricket Flashing
Small, sloped structure made of metal and designed to drain moisture away from a chimney. Usually placed at the back of a chimney. Cricket flashing is recommended on chimneys over 30” in width.
Gutters and Downspouts
This is an extremely important element in basement dampness control. Keep gutters clean and downspout extensions in place (8’ or more). Paint the inside of galvanized gutters, which will extend the life. Shortly after a rain or thaw in winter, look for leaks at seams in the gutters. These can be re-caulked before they cause damage to fascia or soffit boards. If no gutters exist, it is recommended that they be added.
Siding
Wood siding should not come in contact with the ground. The moisture will cause rotting to take place
and can attract wood boring / all insects.
EIFS - This type of siding has experienced serious problems and requires a certified EIFS inspector to determine condition.
Brick and stone veneer must be monitored for loose or missing mortar. Some brick and stone are susceptible to spalling. This can be caused when moisture is trapped and a freeze/thaw situation occurs. There are products on the market that can be used to seal out the moisture. This holds true for brick and stone chimneys also.
Metal sidings will dent and scratch. Oxidation is a normal reaction in aluminum. There are good cleaners on the market and it is recommended that they be used occasionally. Metal siding can be painted.
Doors and Windows
These can waste an enormous amount of energy. Maintain the caulking around the frames on the exterior. Check for drafts in the winter and improve the worst offenders first. Windows that have leaky storm windows will usually have a lot of sweating. Likewise, well-sealed storms that sweat indicate a leaky window. It is the tighter unit that will sweat (unless the home has excess humidity to begin with.)
Wood that exhibits blistering or peeling paint should be examined for possible moisture sources: roof leaks, bad gutters, interior moisture from baths or laundry or from a poorly vented crawl space. Some paint problems have no logical explanation, but many are a symptom of an underlying problem. A freshly painted house may mask these symptoms, but after you have lived in the home for a year or two, look for localized paint blistering (peeling). It may be a clue.
New glazing will last longer if the raw wood is treated with boiled linseed oil prior to glazing. It prevents the wood from drawing the moisture out of the new glazing.
Caulking
Many different types of caulk are available on the market today. Check with a paint or hardware store for the kind of application you need. Remember in wood trim areas always use a paintable caulk.