Solid fuel burner – evidence of water flowing down inside flue

Solid fuel burner/wood burner (closed firebox) – evidence of water flowing down inside the flue

Causes

There is a leak around the flue penetration 

Cause

There is a leak around the flue penetration 

Repair

  • attend to leaks promptly. If ignored, they can become worse over time and have the potential to cause considerable damage
  • if the solid fuel burner and flue were installed in recent years, call back the installer to make the repair
  • fixing leaks around roof penetrations to ensure the roof is weathertight is not work for a novice – it requires knowledge, skill, experience and the right tools. Work on roofs is restricted building work under the Building Act and if you engage a roofer to make the repairs they must be a licensed building practitioner or be supervised by an LBP
  • roof penetrations require a flashing. Any leak around a penetration probably indicates that the flashing has not been properly installed or has been damaged. The repairs required will depend on the flashing material and nature of the leak. Simple repairs to uncoated galvanized steel, zinc, stainless steel or copper may be made by soldering the joints, for example. Other options include the application of a proprietary liquid rubber manufactured specifically for waterproofing purposes. Many flashings are proprietary products
  • you can find guidance in the NZ Metal Roof and Wall Cladding Code of Practice (if you have a metal roof) and Acceptable Solution E2/AS1, for example in 4.0 Flashings, 8.1.7 Roof penetrations, 8.4.17 Roof penetrations in profiled metal roof cladding
  • if the roof has been leaking for some time you may need to check the roof framing for damage. An experienced building surveyor can advise on this
  • when working at height, always let someone know. Ensure the access ladder is safe and is securely set up on stable ground. Where necessary, use a roof ladder or other safety system on the roof itself