Brick chimneys in the Mount Dora Historic District have usually been through many reroofs, while newer homes such as those in Loch Leven have framed chases. 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 a rebuilt crown and a new 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 step and counter-flashing repair.
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.
Why Mount Dora chimneys let water in
On historic brick, crowns and flashing are the usual leak points; a stack whose fireplace was closed off still takes rain and needs the same attention.
Reading where the water shows up
| Where you see water | Often points to | Checked first |
|---|---|---|
| Ceiling or wall beside the chimney | Water at the roof line | Flashing and any cricket |
| Inside the firebox or on the damper | Water coming down the flue | Cap, crown or storm collar |
| High on the chimney breast | Water through the brick or crown | Crown and mortar joints |
| Rust streaks down a chase | Water pooling on the chase top | Chase cover |
Water can travel before it shows, so this is a starting point; see how to read stains beside a chimney.
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 repair for damaged masonry, and a leak repair may be part of it. When you’re not sure, start with the yearly inspection.
Leaks around Mount Dora
- Anywhere in Mount Dora: tell us where the water shows up and when
- Nearby: help with chimney water entry in Eustis, service for leaking chimneys in Tavares and Apopka chimney leak repair
- Other work on the house: our Mount Dora service area
Depending on what’s found, the work may also involve a vapor-permeable repellent.
More detail: every chimney leak source explained, plus rust streaks on a chase.
References (3)
Every Mount Dora figure above, with its source.
