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At Family Roofing, we take great pride in our experience, expertise, quality and customer service. It is our mission to provide excellent workmanship and complete customer satisfaction from start to completion of a project. Our reputation is based on service, safety and quality, regardless of how large or small the job.

 

COMMON CHIMNEY REPAIRS

 

Chimney repairs are an important part of owning and maintaining a safe and working fireplace.  The most common chimney repairs performed include replacing or repairing the chimney cap and/or crown, relining the chimney, and fixing chimney masonry.

Generally speaking, your chimney is made up of three core components:

• The outer masonry – which includes the brick and mortar joints holding it together. 

• The inner lining that keeps smoke and creosote contained, funneling fumes up and out of your home.

• The cap and crown, which prevent debris, animals, and other things from ending up inside of your chimney and causing blockages.

All of these parts must be in good working order for the chimney to function as intended. Hence, why the three chimney repairs we are about to discuss are among the most common.

 Repairing Chimney Masonry/Tuckpointing

The brick and mortar that make up the outside of your chimney play an integral role to protecting your home and family.  Over time, mortar will begin to break down due to exposure to moisture and the elements. If mortar becomes soft and begins to flake out of the wall, this places a lot of pressure on bricks and eventually leads to spalling, or bricks falling out of place.  The best time to repair chimney masonry is when mortar issues first surface using a process called tuckpointing.  This involves removing damaged portions of mortar and replacing it with a well-matched (in color and strength) mortar.  This process will make your chimney look like new, while restoring its original strength.

If damage has extended to bricks, there are still repairs that can address the issue without needing to replace the entire structure.  Bricks can be replaced or turned around so that the backside of the brick faces forward, and the damaged side faces the interior of the structure where no one can see it.

Repairing Cracked or Damaged Flue

A chimney flue or liner is tasked with containing gases, heat, and creosote produced by your fireplace.  Looking at the inner lining of your chimney can reveal hidden dangers that increase the risk of a chimney fire or carbon monoxide poisoning if left untreated.  There are different types of flue liners, and therefore, there are different issues that can arise with each one.  Steel liners tend to be the most durable, while other types of flues are more susceptible to heat and stress.  Most commonly, the flue either deteriorates, cracks, or spalls.  It’s highly recommended to have your chimney inspected once a year, prior to winter, to ensure it is in proper working order before it enters heavy-usage season.  Avoid using a chimney with a cracked or damaged flue. Even small cracks can allow heat into combustible portions of your home, leading to a chimney fire.

Replacing the Cap or Crown

Your chimney cap is an integral part of your chimney and needs to be maintained regularly and properly.  If a broken chimney cap is not immediately addressed, it can result in much more costly damages down the road.  For example, a broken chimney cap may allow rainwater to fill the flue during heavy rains and then when winter rolls around, that water could freeze and severely damage your chimney.  You are then forced to get this professionally fixed and, inevitably, at a steep price. In order to avoid this unnecessary expenditure, you should have a chimney repair specialist buy and install the proper cap replacement for you before further damages can occur.

The chimney cap and crown, located at the very top of your chimney, serve as the first line of defense against the elements.  It keeps water from pouring in, animals from nesting at the peak of your chimney, and infiltration of other types of debris that could clog a chimney.  If either of these fundamental parts are damaged, your chimney is at risk of moisture damage, blockages, and countless other issues that can domino into additional problems and necessary repairs.  It’s easy to replace or repair a damaged cap or crown. Have your chimney inspected on a regular basis to prevent a small issue from ballooning into something larger.

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.

What to do if my chimney crown is damaged? 

Chimney crown damage can often be difficult to spot because it is impossible to see from the ground. Instead, chimney crown damage can only be seen when inspecting the chimney from the roof.  Because of this, most chimney crown damage is only found during chimney sweepings or inspections.  If the mason who built your chimney also constructed your chimney crown, it may be made of mortar.  While mortar is the perfect material to bind bricks together, it should not be used for chimney crowns are it deteriorates quickly when exposed directly to the elements. Likewise, ill maintained chimney crowns can develop cracks or holes which can allow water to enter the flue and firebox.

REPAIRING A CHIMNEY FLASHING

The chimney flashing repair procedures you can perform include applying a bead of caulk or sealant to the crack.  Make use of self-adhesive chimney flashing tape to hold it in place. But these quick fixes will likely need repeated applications later.  Water penetrates through the chimney again sooner or later.

What is Chimney Flashing?

Chimney flashing is a type of roof flashing that creates a waterproof seal to protect your chimney and roof from water damage and penetration.  Essentially, chimney flashing functions as weather stripping for your chimney and is made up of three major parts: step flashing, counter flashing and base flashing.

Step flashing is an L-shaped piece of metal that lies under the roofing shingles and along the brick of your masonry chimney.  Counter or cap flashing is also an L-shaped metal piece, but it is designed to cover the step flashing and embedded into a groove cut in the chimney brickwork.  Base flashing is used at the joint between a vertical surface and the roofing surface, in this case the base of the chimney, guarding against water penetration.  These parts, together with caulk create a waterproof seal.  If the chimney flashing around your chimney fails and begins to leak it could cause serious damage to your roofing, attic, and even interior rooms.

The chimney itself could even sustain damage if the chimney flashing begins to leak.  As water penetrates the mortar joints between the bricks of your chimney, the chimney’s structure could become brittle and begin to crumble.  Flashing is installed at the point where your chimney meets your roof and is made out of vinyl, aluminum, copper, or steel, depending on your roofing and the surrounding climate.

Signs You Need to Repair Your Chimney Flashing

Properly installed chimney or roof flashing can last up to 30 years.  Lifespan is determined by surrounding details like where you live, shape and size of your chimney, and the materials used to make it. Knowing what year your house was constructed helps keep track of the life of your chimney.

Signs it is time for a chimney flashing repair include:

• Leaking from the inside or outside of the chimney

• Sounds and evidence of dripping, like puddles

• Discolored bricks

• Rust stains

• Water stains on interior ceilings or walls adjoining the chimney

• Visible gaps in the caulking around the flashing

One thing to be aware of when it comes to leaks is if you’re noticing water inside your firebox it may not be a chimney flashing issue, it could be an issue with your chimney cap instead.  Due to most chimneys’ locations, you may not notice water damage until it has penetrated further into your roofing.  If it damages the roof flashing there may be constant moisture in your attic or ceiling which can lead to wood rot and drywall damage.

No Expensive Repairs Later On

If you are like most homeowners, you probably do not think about your chimney until something goes wrong.  By then, it is usually too late.  Chimney repairs can be expensive, so it is important to schedule regular maintenance to prevent bigger problems down the road.  Chimney repair is a great way to catch small issues before they turn into big ones, and it can help improve the efficiency of your fireplace.  If you have not had your chimney checked lately, now is the time to do it.

The Risks of Not Servicing Your Chimney Regularly

Did you know that not servicing your chimney regularly could be dangerous?  In addition to risking a fire, not having your chimney inspected and cleaned on a regular basis can also lead to carbon monoxide poisoning.  Therefore, if you have a fireplace or wood-burning stove, it is important to make sure you have your chimney serviced regularly.