Hilltop and lakefront lots in Howey-in-the-Hills catch wind-driven rain off Little Lake Harris, and chimneys on those lots take it head-on. Here’s what that means for leaks.
Top, sides or roof line
Chimney leaks come from three places. The top: a cracked crown, a missing cap or a rusted chase cover lets rain fall straight in; see repairing or replacing the crown and a sloped replacement chase cover. The sides: brick and open mortar joints soak up wind-driven rain, and on a chase, siding seams let water behind. The roof line: step and counter-flashing that were cut short, left loose or only caulked; see resetting failed flashing.
Each needs a different repair, which is why the entry point comes first. On the top alone, how caps and chase covers differ decides which part is at fault.
Water entry, Howey-in-the-Hills style
On older brick, exposed crowns and mortar joints are the usual entry points; on newer chases, the cover edges and storm collar. The side facing the lake or the prevailing storms is checked first.
How the entry point is found
Map the symptom
Where the water shows up, after what kind of rain, and how long after it starts.
Check inside first
Firebox, damper and, where accessible, the attic around the chimney.
Check the top and the roof line
Crown, cap or chase cover, storm collar, flashing and the masonry or siding.
Isolate if needed
Water is run on suspect areas one at a time to confirm which one leaks.
Repair that point
Then watch the next heavy rain to confirm it’s dry.
Wind-driven rain and storm season
Central Florida averages about 51.5 inches of rain a year (CurrentResults, NCEI normals), much of it in the June–September wet season (NWS Melbourne). Storms drive rain sideways into flashing gaps, crown cracks and chase seams that stay dry in gentle rain, which is why many chimneys leak only in hard storms.
Humidity doesn’t cause leaks, and storms aren’t always the cause either; they expose a weak spot that was already there. See why chimneys leak in Florida storms.
Leak repair or chimney repair?
This page is about water getting in. If the chimney is cracked, crumbling, leaning or storm-damaged, that’s structural chimney repair options, and a leak repair may be part of it. When you’re not sure, start with a full chimney inspection.
Leaks around Howey-in-the-Hills
- Anywhere in Howey-in-the-Hills: tell us where the water shows up and when
- Nearby: Tavares chimney leak repair, leak diagnosis and repair in Astatula and help with chimney water entry in Groveland
- Other work on the house: chimney and fireplace services in Howey-in-the-Hills
Depending on what’s found, the work may also involve breathable water repellent.
For the full background, see how chimney leak repair works and how Florida storms find chimney leaks.
References (3)
Public data and code references cited for Howey-in-the-Hills.
