7 Signs Your Chimney Needs Repair

15 Dec 7 Signs Your Chimney Needs Repair

When you are like most homeowners, you probably do not think about your chimney until it is time to light a fire. But did you know that there are several signs that your chimney may need repair? Discover them as you read on.

How do you inspect a chimney?

It is very difficult to determine when your chimney needs repair unless you inspect the inside of it. Indeed, you can see these signs of damage from the outside such as:

• signs on the exterior walls

• signs on the roof

• signs in and around your fireplace

• signs in different rooms of your home

Chimney inspections are easy to perform, but you may miss what Pro-Tech Chimney would. That is why you can hire them for the duty. They have all sorts of tools at their disposal and will know what best suits your needs!

Your clothing can get dirty as well as protect yourself from potential risks during this process such as soot exposure. Make sure they are wearing old or pieces you do not like. Chimneys contain plenty in terms of black ash or soil particles which could potentially cause severe illness when inhaled.

The firebox or fireplace is the easiest place to start when it comes to cleaning out your chimney. Since you are performing this task yourself, make sure there is enough time set aside during preparation. Remove all ashes from within its interior walls. These will help avoid any potential problems before they arise! 

How much does the average chimney repair cost?

The average cost of repairing a chimney is around $500. But it can go as high as $2,000! The cost depends on the severity of the damage and what needs fixing. It is important to remember that regular chimney inspections will help you avoid costly repairs down the line. So, when you have not had your chimney inspected in a while, now may become the time to do so. For more information, please contact Pro-Tech Chimney.

When you need a chimney repair, it can become difficult to know what type of service will best suit your needs. Some repairs are as simple and quick as sweeping away the debris that builds up on an old firebox. Other more intricate services could require rebuilding or even replacing sections of brickwork. These depend upon complexity factors such as location within your house and so on. 

The cost for any given project also varies based on these variables. Ultimately, price should never become the motivation behind hiring a professional. There is no guarantee they will do good work! Do your research, get recommendations, and make sure you are comfortable with the company before signing any contract.

How do you know if your chimney is damaged?

Familiarize with seven signs your chimney needs repair. Follow the guide below:

Failing Mortar Joints

Over time, mortar joints between bricks may begin to crumble away. Use a flashlight to look inside the chimney from below. When you can see light, your brickwork has failed at its duty of protecting the wood and insulation within the walls. This can lead to major problems when left unattended for very long.

Masonry is a superb way to enhance the look and durability of your home! Unfortunately, it is also susceptible to some problems that can become hard on homeowners. Examples are weak mortar or sealant joints between masonry units as well as those next door into cast-in-place concrete. Water may seep through from rainstorms causing rot damage before repair work begins. 

Masonry joint failure occurs when there is not enough material in any given area like mortar. This will result in cracks along these seams because of inadequate support from either side. It leads you back around again until one day you notice changes. You see new gaps forming beside curtains and unlikely places such as inside your living room. 

Once you identify signs of damage to masonry joints, it is time to call in a professional from Pro-Tech Chimney! They can repair or replace the mortar joints between bricks and even do cast-in-place concrete sealing as well. When damage occurred because of poor workmanship during installation, they can also help with that. When it comes to chimney repairs, trust them!

Spalling

Spalling is a term used to describe the flaking or chipping away of the surface of masonry, most often from weathering. It exposes the softer material underneath, which in turn is then subject to further weathering, leading to more spalling. This creates an unsightly and potentially dangerous situation.

Water infiltration is one of the main causes of deterioration in brick and stone masonry. The freeze-thaw cycle, in which water expands as it freezes, can cause pieces of masonry to break off. When not addressed, this process will eventually lead to the complete failure of the masonry unit.

To diagnose spalling, you will need to look for signs of weathering on the surface of your masonry. This may include flaking, pitting, scaling, or chipping. When you notice any of these signs, it is important to have Pro-Tech Chimney take a look as soon as possible.

When you notice spalling brick, it is time for some tender loving care. The compromised bricks will show the porous interior which gives way to water damage that can eventually destroy your masonry!

Rust

When you have a metal damper in your chimney, it is likely to rust over time. This can cause the damper to stick open or closed, leading to problems with airflow and heat distribution in your home. To check for rust on your metal damper, use a flashlight to look up into the chimney from below. When you see signs of rust, it is important to have it repaired as soon as possible.

Rust can become a cosmetic concern or an actual problem. The latter is the case when there are signs of flaking, pitting, erosion, and other signs of corrosion. When this occurs, rusting metal will create openings for water infiltration. This leads to more serious problems such as spalling and freeze-thaw damage.

The best time to avoid problems with your damper is when it was installed! Work only with Pro-Tech Chimney that produces quality materials and workmanship while you design your chimney system. Scheduling regular maintenance will also help prevent future problems while extending the life of your masonry unit dramatically!

Trust only Pro-Tech Chimney to handle your masonry repairs! They have the experience and knowledge to get the duty done right.

Ruined Walls

Do you know signs of ruined walls? Today is your first. You may learn that there are signs that can tell you when this happens.

inspect the walls near your chimney on every level fairly regularly. You should also inspect after a big rain. Make sure there is no extra moisture inside and it will show up as damage or discoloration in places. This depends upon where it is coming from as chimneys do not always get cleaned.

When you notice either one of these things, do not use that specific fireplace until repairs have been made. It could mean an improper seal was present which would lead to more problems down the line.

When it comes time to hire a masonry repair company, only work with Pro-Tech Chimney. They have professionals available who get the duty done quickly and get it done right!

In sound studying, signs of ruined walls will tell you when this happens. You can test for this by using a smoke pencil or a torch from the top to the bottom. Do this during a time when there is no wind. Prevent false results due to airflow moving around objects in its way.

Discoloration

This is the first sign of ruined walls. It will show you that there is a problem with airflow. You can also use a smoke test or torch to see when you have signs of spalling and corrosion as well as infiltration. Ignoring these signs will turn into a bigger problem.

You might become surprised to learn that staining in your chimney is not an indication of poor fire safety. There are many causes for this kind of phenomenon. Determine which one applies by becoming familiar with all possible outcomes on the list below:

A dark spot on lighter-colored stone indicates unsightly soot residue from fires lit too close together or without enough fuel. When these areas have been cleaned off but continue coming back farther down their length, it is due to both liking crevices between stones.

These are where mineralized bentonite exists as well ash deposits left behind. That is after burning certain types of wood such as oak trees whose branches often fall over and hit the masonry. To clarify, this is not an indication of fire safety issues.

Shaling

This is when you have signs of spalling and corrosion. It will also look like deterioration from freeze-thaw cycles. When it becomes visible, this means breaching the protective membrane and water can get into the wall. This will cause the brick and mortar to deteriorate.

You might also see efflorescence in these areas. It is a white powder that forms on the surface of bricks, mortar, or stone as moisture evaporates. Soluble dissolved salts in water that seep through the masonry unit cause it.

Chimney bricks will begin to flake and crumble when exposing them too much. In more advanced stages, you may notice some loose or missing bricks! This can come from the weather. But most often it is because moisture gets trapped inside them. Temperatures below freezing mean water expanding causing cracks on your chimney’s surface.

As the temperature changes and winter approaches, watch for signs of chimney damage to flare up. When you live in an area where harsh winters are commonplace, start looking out for cracks around crowns or brickwork. This is before they become too big a problem. This happens early enough so there is still time to get them fixed!

Cracks in The Chimney Crown

When you see any signs of water damage, it is important to get it fixed as soon as possible. This is one of the most common problems that lead to chimneys needing repair. It can come from diverse things, but the most frequent one is due to ice and snow. They form a dam and prevent water from flowing off the roof like it is supposed to. Instead, it pools and seeps into the masonry.

It is not only a problem in the wintertime! Heavy rains also cause this kind of damage. So make sure you are keeping an eye out for any signs of water infiltration during all times of the year.

One way to help prevent this kind of damage is by installing flashing around your chimney. This is a protective covering that safeguards the chimney from water infiltration. It takes assorted forms but typically its construction includes attached metal or rubber strips to the bottom of the crown. They do not alter the aesthetics of your chimney and can install along with new mortar.

Chimney Pointing and Why You Need a Professional

Chimney Repointing is the process of repairing mortar joints. The joints are where two pieces of masonry, usually brick or stone, meet. It is the area that needs repair when signs of water infiltration begin to appear.

When bricks are close together at their points, it creates a durable seal. But when signs of spalling and corrosion are present in your chimney, there are also signs of deterioration between each course. This means you need to get Pro-Tech Chimney – Long Island Chimney Company to do pointing as soon as possible.

The process of re-pointing is labor-intensive and takes a lot of time to complete. It is not a do-it-yourself project! The mason has to remove all the old mortar and then properly repoint the joints with fresh mortar. This will help protect your chimney from water infiltration and further damage.

It is important to get these signs checked as soon as possible. You can prevent more extensive damage down the line. Ignoring them can lead to bigger and more expensive repairs down the road! When you are unsure whether or not your chimney needs repair, contact Pro-Tech Chimney today for a free consultation.

Homeowners should become alert to problems with their chimneys! But it is even better when they trust Pro-Tech Chimney for yearly cleaning. Schedule your annual check-up in the spring. There is plenty of time before chilly weather returns and you can make repairs when necessary.