CALL OR EMAIL US TODAY FOR YOUR FREE ESTIMATE – 202-276-5004 FAMILY.ROOFING@YAHOO.COM
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.
EXTERIOR CHIMNEY ISSUES TO BE AWARE OF
Chimney exteriors are often neglected by homeowners who don’t realize how vulnerable the structure really is. Whether the fireplace is seldom used or whether it is fired up frequently throughout winter, the exterior portion of the chimney is subject to damage. Moisture is the main chimney problem. A chimney is not the low maintenance feature many people think it is. Below are common exterior chimney problems.
Brickwork Problems
A neglected chimney can lean, crumble, and completely collapse. Maintenance is needed to ensure that water doesn’t penetrate the chimney system. Tuckpointing is one of the procedures our chimney professionals frequently perform, in which damaged mortar is removed; the new mortar gives the chimney the stability and protection it needs. There are times when brickwork becomes so damaged because of moisture that the bricks also need to be replaced. Making repairs is, of course, far less costly than having to completely replace a collapsed chimney.
Bricks are extremely porous and keeping water out of the chimney system is essential. Once moisture works its way into masonry, the water expands and contracts during freeze and thaw cycles in winter. Such movement has a devastating effect on bricks. They begin to crack, and spalling also occurs, which is when the brick face breaks or pops off. When bricks begin deteriorating due to moisture intrusion, repair is needed. Unless the affected bricks are removed and replaced with new bricks, the chimney structure will begin to lean and could eventually collapse.
Expired mortar is among the many ways water gets into the brickwork. Although bricks can last a century or more, mortar only lasts about a quarter of a century. It’s important to keep a close eye on the condition of the mortar. You could save a lot of money on repairs if the mortar alone is replaced through a process called tuck-pointing, as opposed to a teardown and rebuild the chimney. The secret is to replace damaged mortar before water gets into the masonry.
Cracked Chimney Crown
The top of your chimney is a chimney crown unless you install a chimney cap, which is recommended. If the chimney crown becomes cracked, it needs to be repaired so that moisture doesn’t get into the chimney system. Moisture is the biggest enemy to the chimney system and can cause damage to the masonry, lining, firebox, damper, ceilings and walls in your home, and more. Chimney caps also protect the chimney from moisture but also keep out animals and other debris, but they sometimes need to be replaced.
Your chimney crown’s sole purpose is to protect your chimney from weather exposure. The crown is a metal, concrete, or stone slab that covers the top of your chimney—but it can crack under constant pressure from rain, sleet, snow, and even tree limbs. A damaged crown exposes your chimney parts to moisture and mold, which will weaken the overall structure.
Cracked Flashing
A chimney’s flashing prevents weather like ice and rain from entering your attic. Another home inspection chimney issue is cracked flashing. Older and improperly installed flashing can crack, impairing structural integrity and encouraging mold growth. Chimney flashing is the metal at the base of the chimney stack on your rooftop. Flashing is supposed to prevent water from entering the chimney and roof systems where the chimney and rooftop meet. Unfortunately, many homeowners end up with faulty flashing simply because the job is a difficult one to achieve and inexperienced brick masons may be assigned to do the work. This is one of the many reasons it’s advantageous to have a certified chimney sweep perform any and all work on chimneys.
When the flashing is installed incorrectly or when rust begins to develop, both of which are common occurrences, leaks occur. The roof is often damaged. When leaky flashing goes undetected, it is not unusual for wood in the rooftop structure to rot, resulting in extensive damage.
Chimney Cap Damage
Your chimney’s cap helps keep your chimney safe from moisture, animals, and debris. So, if it’s damaged, it can’t protect your chimney as intended, leading to the blockages and breakdowns. The various features of exterior chimneys work together with the primary goal of keeping moisture out of the chimney system, and the chimney cap is one of those features.
Gaps in mortar joints
Gaps in the mortar joints are another common chimney problem that shouldn’t be ignored. The continued exposure of the brick masonry to the rain and the constant freeze-thaw process causes the mortar to crumble. As the mortar continues to disappear the bricks can become loose and eventually fall from the chimney. It can cause major structural issues if it is not repaired.
Spalled or missing bricks
In addition to gaps in the mortar joints, spalled or even missing bricks is another common problem. Like mortar, bricks are also porous, and it soaks moisture like a sponge. The pounding rain, snow, and sleet can cause tiny holes in the exterior brick surface. Moisture is absorbed in these small crevices. When the trapped moisture freezes, thaws and freezes again, ice crystals inside the crevices gradually expand, eventually causing the bricks to crack. Depending on the extent of the problem, you may notice pieces of brick lying on the ground. Like gaps in the mortar joints, spalling or missing bricks can also result in severe structural issues.
You now understand the common chimney problems and their signs. Damaged chimney components can cause further damage to the chimney and your home. If you notice that any part of your chimney needs fixing, contact a professional to inspect and fix it before it’s too late.
CALL OR EMAIL US TODAY FOR YOUR FREE ESTIMATE – 202-276-5004 FAMILY.ROOFING@YAHOO.COM
A neglected chimney can lean, crumble, and completely collapse. Maintenance is needed to ensure that water doesn’t penetrate the chimney system. Tuckpointing is one of the procedures our chimney professionals frequently perform, in which damaged mortar is removed; the new mortar gives the chimney the stability and protection it needs. There are times when brickwork becomes so damaged because of moisture that the bricks also need to be replaced. Making repairs is, of course, far less costly than having to completely replace a collapsed chimney.
A chimney’s flashing prevents weather like ice and rain from entering your attic. Another home inspection chimney issue is cracked flashing. Older and improperly installed flashing can crack, impairing structural integrity and encouraging mold growth. Chimney flashing is the metal at the base of the chimney stack on your rooftop. Flashing is supposed to prevent water from entering the chimney and roof systems where the chimney and rooftop meet. Unfortunately, many homeowners end up with faulty flashing simply because the job is a difficult one to achieve and inexperienced brick masons may be assigned to do the work. This is one of the many reasons it’s advantageous to have a certified chimney sweep perform any and all work on chimneys.
Spalled or missing bricks