Your chimney faces the effects of moisture all year, especially from rainwater, freezing, and thawing snow and ice. If the mortar joints in your chimney start to crumble, this is called spalling and needs Charleston Chimney Repair.
This damage exposes brick to increased moisture, leading to serious problems like structural issues and leaks. It also increases the risk of chimney collapse.
Chimneys endure a lot of stress from the elements. This constant strain gradually degrades the brick and mortar, resulting in cracks that may threaten the chimney’s integrity and lead to water penetration or even structural damage to the home.
The best way to prevent cracking is regular maintenance and inspections. This ensures that any minor problems are corrected before they get out of hand.
During an annual chimney inspection, our technicians inspect the flue liners, crowns, and masonry. Chimneys with damaged masonry should be repaired as soon as possible to reduce risk and prevent costly repairs down the road.
One common cracking problem occurs at the joint where the chimney’s flue liner meets the chimney crown. As the flue lining gets hot, it expands and causes the crown to crack. To prevent this issue, we recommend installing a stainless steel chimney liner. The new liner will not only reduce fire risk and lower home energy bills, but it will also protect the chimney from moisture penetration.
If the crack is not large, it may be repaired using a special silicone-based chimney patching mortar. To repair this type of chimney crack, first use a wire brush to clean the area and remove any debris such as moss. Then, use a caulk gun to apply a complete bead of the high-heat chimney patching mortar.
Another common chimney cracking issue occurs when the mortar crown is deteriorated from exposure to the elements. This is a serious problem that should be addressed immediately, as it can allow rain and snow to enter the chimney, damaging the bricks and mortar within.
The chimney crown is usually a concrete cap that covers the top of the chimney. It’s exposed to extreme weather conditions, such as wind and rain, which eventually erode the surface. If the chimney crown is crumbling or cracked, it may be necessary to rebuild the entire chimney.
A leaky chimney is not only a major inconvenience but can be quite dangerous for the family. It is also an expensive repair. Having professional masonry contractors inspect the chimney and making the necessary repairs can help you avoid costly leaks in the future.
The most common way that water gets into a chimney is through the flashing. This metal material is installed where the chimney meets the roof. It mashes into the bricks and tucks under the shingles, so if it pulls away from either of these or is damaged, water will seep in.
Chimney flashing can deteriorate from harsh weather or simply age. When this happens, the water that it holds may seep into a house’s framing, ceiling, or walls. The water may then damage combustible materials and lead to dangerous house fires. Leaks from the chimney can also cause mold and mildew, which is a health risk for your family.
If your chimney flashing is leaking, it’s important to get it repaired immediately. A professional will safely climb on the roof and remove the shingles around the flashing, then replace it. They will also apply a waterproof flashing sealant to ensure that water can’t penetrate your home again.
Rainwater that pools in your chimney can do a lot of damage in a short amount of time. It can erode the masonry and mortar and weaken the rafters and ceiling joists in your attic. It can also cause rot and sag in the roof deck. It can even create a fire hazard by spreading smoke and soot inside the house.
Leaking chimneys can be especially dangerous for children and pets. They can be a fall hazard and a source of carbon monoxide poisoning. Chimneys should be inspected on a regular basis so that small cracks and deteriorations can be caught and fixed before they become a serious problem.
A chimney is only as strong as its crown. The crown is a slab of concrete or mortar that covers the top of the chimney. It has a slight slope to allow it to shed water and prevent it from pooling in the chimney flue. The crown can crack or crumble over the years, and it’s important to have any gaps caulked by a professional using high-heat, moisture-proof caulk.
Whether your chimney vents gas, oil or wood-burning fireplaces, it needs to transport dangerous combustion byproducts outside, safely. Known as flue gases, they include ash, soot and carbon monoxide. When a chimney liner cracks, these toxic gases can seep back into your living space. This is why it’s important to inspect your chimney regularly for cracks or deterioration, especially after any fires.
Chimney liners are usually made of clay tile and can crack over time. Excessive heat, moisture, and chemicals can all cause them to break down. In most cases, you’ll need to replace your chimney flue tiles rather than repair them.
When a chimney flue liner cracks, it allows creosote to build up inside the tile. This flammable residue can easily ignite, creating a chimney fire that can damage your house and possibly destroy the lining. Cracks in a flue tile also allow carbon monoxide to leak into your home. Known as the “silent killer,” carbon monoxide is odorless, tasteless and invisible. If you don’t have a working CO detector, you may not realize that your chimney is leaking carbon monoxide into your house until it’s too late.
The good news is, a cracked flue tile can often be repaired by a professional chimney service. Depending on its location and extent of the damage, it can be replaced with a new clay tile, or, if accessible from the top, a metal replacement chimney liner.
A metal chimney liner is designed to withstand high temperatures and prevent dangerous carbon monoxide from entering the home. It’s installed inside the chimney, usually above the thimble or damper. To install a metal chimney liner, your technician first removes the existing thimble or damper. Then, he or she removes the old chimney liner and cuts a flexible metal chimney liner to size. Using a hand-held hot-wiring tool, the liner is then fastened to the thimble or damper. Once it’s installed, the technician adds a stainless steel cap to protect the liner. If you suspect your chimney has a cracked liner, have it inspected by a professional as soon as possible.
A damaged chimney crown allows water to enter the masonry structure of your fireplace and cause major damage. It also opens the door for more serious problems like chimney fires. Chimney crowns need to be made of durable materials, sized correctly and sloped properly to guide rainwater away from the chimney structure.
During construction, the chimney crown is placed on top of the flue tile and masonry walls, leaving about 1/4’’ of space between it and the masonry walls. This space is necessary to prevent moisture from getting between the concrete and the bricks. It also allows for the expansion and contraction of the masonry walls and concrete crown.
Cracking in the crown’s surface can be a sign of serious damage, but it can often be repaired with waterproof sealants. Ensure that the waterproof sealants you use are vapor permeable. Otherwise, they’ll lock in moisture and cause the same type of cracking and spalling that you are trying to avoid.
If you see cracked or broken pieces of masonry material on your roof or in the yard, it’s a sign of severe chimney crown damage that needs to be addressed immediately. Even if the cracks are small and hairline, they need to be repaired. If you don’t fix them, they will get worse over time and can lead to collapsed or falling flue tiles.
Moisture stains on your walls or around the fireplace are another telltale sign that the chimney crown is in need of repair. Moisture is seeping in through the crown and into your chimney system, causing deterioration of the masonry components and rusting metal fixtures.
Regular inspections by a certified professional can identify early signs of damage to your chimney and its components. By catching these problems before they get out of hand, you can save money on repair bills and prevent serious damage to your home. Our technicians can identify the problem quickly and recommend the best solution. We have years of experience in installing, maintaining, and repairing chimneys of all sizes.