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Expert: - 6/11/2010


Question
Hi Randy,
We have a fireplace in our basement, and we are getting ready to "re-finish" the area.  This past fall and winter we had quite a bit of rain and snow, thus leading to water actually coming through the bricks of the fireplace.  At times it looked like a fountain (would have been a cool water feature!).  Is there a way to seal and coat the fireplace from the inside, as opposed to digging down on the outside?  I was wondering if a "boat apoxy" would work...or if there is something you recommend.  We do not use this fireplace, and we will be painting over it anyway.

Thank you for your help.

Answer
Dawn,

The water sealing products we are familiar with will work against your need. They are vapor permeable and will stop new water from entering and let water already inside come through. This would require you to dig out the area and can understand why you wouldn't want to do that ;) That being said, I would contact the building department in your area or consult a local general contractor as they would know what will work in your area. If you simply painted over with boat products, it seams reasonable that this would fail and look unsightly. I hope this helps and best of luck to you.

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Randy Brooks

Expertise

Inspection of Masonry, Pre-cast Tilt-up, and Factory Built Fireplaces as well as Free Standing & Insert, Gas, and Wood Appliances. We also provide Hearth Fire Loss Investigations, Litigation Support, Consulting Services, Flue Sweeping, Installation and Repair. Additionally, I’ve been a chimney sweep for 23 years, service and install hearth appliances as well as being recognized by the Superior Court of California as an expert witness.

Experience

Brooks Chimney Sweeping Since 1989 Ojai, CA Owner / President www.brooks-hearth.com

Organizations
NCSG, MEMBER,(National Chimney Sweep Guild), Member since 1990, Board of Directors representing Region 6, (CA, NV, AZ, UT, OR, WA, ID, WY, MT, AK and HI,) 2004-2011, ethics committee chair, 2004-2005, executive committee member, Vice President, 2006-2008, President, 2008-2011. CSIA, BOD (Chimney Safety Institute of America,) Board of Directors, ethics committee chair, 2004-2005, executive committee member, Secretary, 2005-2006, Vice President, 2006-2008, President, 2008-2011. HPBA, MEMBER, (Hearth, Patio, & BBQ Association,) since 2002. NFPA Member, (National Fire Protection Association) Since 2009. Technical Committee member for the 211 Standard.

Education/Credentials
California State Licensed Contractor, C61-D34, #750710. http://www2.cslb.ca.gov C.S.I.A., (Chimney Safety Institute of America,) Certified Chimney Sweep, #2580. Held since 1990 re-certified in ‘93, ‘96, ‘99, ‘02, ‘05, '08,'11. http://www.csia.org F.I.R.E. (Fireplace Investigation, Research & Education Service,) Certified Inspector, #FP-006. Held since 2000, re-certified in ’03, ‘06. http://www.f-i-r-e-service.com Fireplace Investigation, Research & Education Service,) Advance Expert Consulting & Witness, certificate, ’05 N.F.I. (National Fireplace Institute,) Certified Gas & Wood-Burning Specialist, #133851. Held since 2002, re-certified in '05,‘08. http://nficertified.org

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