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A brick chimney is an efficient and attractive feature that serves many purposes in a home. Maintaining a brick chimney is important for safety and aesthetics and can provide many additional benefits to a home. First, a well-maintained brick chimney can improve the efficiency and performance of a home’s heating system. When a chimney is regularly maintained, the flue liner and the outside masonry will remain clear of soot and other debris. This allows heat to travel up the chimney rather than being blocked by an obstruction. Furthermore, the chimney can provide an additional draft source and increase the fireplace’s efficiency.
Second, a brick chimney can provide an extra layer of protection for the home’s interior. Brick is a strong and durable substance that can help keep the wind, rain, and snow out of the home. Furthermore, brick can provide an added layer of insulation, helping to keep the home warm and comfortable during colder months.
Inspect the Brick and Mortar
Cracked brick mortar can lead to leaks and water damage, so it will be more expensive and time-consuming to repair the longer you wait to do so. In general, it’s wise to recruit the help of a professional for a problem like this because it requires special tools and equipment that you might not have or know how to use.
Install a Chimney Cap
What is a Chimney Cap?
A chimney cap is a protective covering that sits on top of the chimney. It acts as a shield to prevent rain, snow, debris, and even animals from entering the chimney. A chimney cap typically has a mesh lining that keeps out pests while still allowing smoke to escape.
Why is a Good Chimney Cap Important?
There are several reasons why a good chimney cap is essential:
Prevents Water Damage
One of the most significant benefits of having a good chimney cap is that it helps prevent water damage. When it rains or snows, water can easily enter an unprotected chimney. Over time, this moisture can cause extensive damage to the chimney’s interior, leading to costly repairs.
Prevents Animal Infestations
Another benefit of having a chimney cap is that it prevents animals from entering the chimney. Birds, squirrels, and other small animals may try to make a nest in your chimney, causing blockages and creating a fire hazard. A chimney cap with a mesh lining can keep these animals out and prevent any potential damage.
Improves Chimney Draft
A good chimney cap can also improve the draft of your fireplace or wood-burning stove. A proper draft is essential for efficient burning and can help prevent the buildup of dangerous gases, such as carbon monoxide.
Reduces Fire Hazard
When debris and sticks accumulate in an unprotected chimney, it can become a potential fire hazard. A chimney cap prevents these materials from entering the chimney and reduces the risk of a fire starting.
Why Chimney Tuckpointing is Important
Is Tuckpointing Necessary?
While bricks on a chimney last about a century, mortar has a much shorter lifespan. Depending on how exposed the masonry is to excess water and other harsh conditions, mortar lasts about 25 years. It’s sometimes highly recommended that homeowners install a cricket, which is a compact diversion roof that prevents the chimney from being deluged in rainy weather. The layout of the roof and the position of the chimney affect how much or little water drainage contributes to erosion of the mortar joints.
When mortar joints become damaged, the most cost-effective action that a homeowner can take is to repair affected areas via tuckpointing. The alternative is to allow the mortar joints to deteriorate to the point that the chimney collapses, which makes a complete rebuild necessary–of course, the cost of a rebuild is far greater than the cost for repairs.
How is Tuckpointing Done?
The basic idea behind tuckpointing is that damaged mortar is removed, and it is replaced with fresh mortar. Tuckpointing a red brick chimney involves the following basic steps:
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Grounding or routing out the old mortar at a uniform depth.
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Filling in red mortar in the newly routed grooves.
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Cutting thin strips down the middle of the red mortar, to form grooves.
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Filling in the grooves with a mortar color which matches the original mortar on the outside of the structure.
Benefits of Tuckpointing
Some of the benefits of performing needed tuckpointing on chimneys follow:
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Corrosion of the mortar joints is stopped.
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Structural stability of the chimney is restored. Failing to repair mortar joints will result in a weak chimney structure which will eventually begin to lean or collapse.
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Tuckpointing helps to prevent water from entering into the chimney system. If the mortar joints are not repaired, water will seep down the chimney and sometimes between the chimney and the flue lining. Moisture can do a serious amount of unseen damage, such as cause mold, mildew, and rotting wood. Moisture can also cause the ceiling and wallpaper around the chimney to become stained.
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Tuckpointing is far more cost-effective than a complete tear-down and rebuild. The procedure allows you to avoid the expense of completely replacing the chimney structure.
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Your chimney’s masonry materials are restored to their original condition.
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The value of your home is improved when the masonry is in top condition.
Over time, moisture will soften the exposed bricks and mortar. The softened masonry is weakened further during the freeze/thaw cycle. You may even notice pieces of bricks and mortar on the ground. In more severe cases, entire bricks can fall from the chimney that can ultimately cause the structure to collapse. As the porous masonry soaks up the moisture, it expands during freezing. This process causes tiny cracks in the bricks allowing water to leak inside the chimney when it thaws. Water leaks can be especially dangerous. It can damage your flue liner, rust the damper and other metal components and increase the risk of fire and carbon monoxide poisoning. Waterproofing your chimney will help equip it to win the battle against Mother Nature.
MAKE CHIMNEY REPAIRS
Before waterproofing your chimney, it is essential to make any necessary chimney repairs. Otherwise, you are just preserving its already weakened condition which can lead to more extensive renovations in the future. An experienced chimney mason will perform tuck pointing to repair spalling and missing bricks. If the chimney has extensive damage, it may require rebuilding or a complete renovation.
START WITH A CLEAN CHIMNEY
Once the chimney repairs are completed, the next step is to clean the chimney. It’s critical to eliminate the dirt, grime, algae, mold, and other contaminants before the water sealant application. Dirt, fungus, and bacteria are not only an eyesore, but they can also damage the masonry. Use low pressure to wash the bricks as high pressure can damage them. When the masonry is clean and dry, it is ready for the waterproofing application.
What is a chimney crown?
The chimney crown, which can also be referred to as a chimney wash, is a large slab that covers the top opening of the chimney. Unlike a chimney cap, which is typically made of metal and merely covers the opening to the flue, the chimney crown covers the entire top of the chimney. Chimney crowns may be made of metal, concrete, or stone. However, they should never be constructed using bricks and mortar, as these materials are not waterproof and will deteriorate quickly when exposed to the elements.
Why are they important?
The main and most important purpose of a chimney crown is to protect the chimney structure from deterioration due to weather exposure. Properly installed chimney crowns are able to achieve this by extending over the walls of the chimney structure. This overhang, called a kerf, should extend 2-2.5 inches over the chimney structure. Doing this creates a form of a rain gutter, allowing rain, snow, and other moisture from finding its way onto the chimney. Instead, kerfs direct the water onto the roof where it can then harmlessly drain without damaging the bricks and mortar of the chimney structure.