Bricks and Masonry Deterioration
Brick construction is one component of residential building that has unquestionably stayed superior over the course of time. Bricks that were created and laid from the 1600s through the 1800s were extremely long-lasting and of a quality that was far superior than the majority of bricks that are used in construction today. But regardless of how well they hold up against the weather, bricks that are this ancient will eventually shift out of position owing to the degradation of the mortar, which will cause the chimney to tilt.
It is not the quality of the initial building that causes masonry to degrade with time; rather, it is the shifting of the ground on which the house is built that is responsible for this change. When it comes to avoiding the natural movement of the ground, there is nothing that we as homeowners (or as humans) can do to stop it. Fortunately, homebuilders have known for a very long time how to develop structures that are able to allow for the shifting soil.
The structure of a home can only take so much abuse before it begins to degrade, which happens over the course of time due to a number of factors including dampness, exposure to the elements, and simply the passage of time. Chimneys in older homes that have this problem are at risk of collapsing, which is a serious risk that should be avoided at all costs if possible. Tuckpointing is a solution that may be used to fix a chimney that has deteriorated and is leaning, and this technique is fortunate.
Your chimney’s structure may be given a new lease of life through the process of tuckpointing, which involves restoring its original form, strengthening it, and giving it an overall pleasing aspect. It is possible for more experienced do-it-yourselfers who have previous expertise in masonry to tackle a tuckpointing or re-pointing project; nevertheless, it is a far better—and safer—idea to let a professional do the job.
Mold is a result of moisture in the chimney.
Even the vast majority of first-time homebuyers are aware of the threats that dampness may provide. It is what causes stains to appear on the walls, the paint or wallpaper to bubble or have a crinkled appearance, the flooring to warp, the structure of the home to become weaker, and mold to grow. All of these issues are the result of damage caused by water and the presence of moisture for an excessively long period of time.
The chimney in an older house is susceptible to damage from moisture. You are providing an open invitation for moisture to enter via the stack if you do not have a chimney crown and chimney cap or if those components are not in excellent shape. Mold is able to develop, spread, and grow at will in the inside of the chimney due to the dark and damp climate that exists there. Mold could start to grow at the bottom of the chimney in the fireplace or on the surround first. You might discover this. The most effective method for dealing with mold is to have a qualified chimney sweep clean and examine your chimney on a regular basis. Mold can cause serious health problems.
A qualified chimney sweep will be able to advise you on the measures you need to take to eliminate the mold issue in the future. These may include having your chimney crown fixed or replacing the cap to ensure that moisture does not enter the chimney.
Prevent Potential Safety Issues
In this day and age, we continue to make use of professional chimney sweeps for the purpose of maintaining and inspecting chimneys. There is a good reason for this. Because even though technology has made many of our household components and ways of life better, chimneys still need a personal touch in order to be kept well-maintained and operational. If this isn’t done, safety issues can quickly arise, and some of them, like carbon monoxide and creosote, are extremely dangerous.
Better to be safe than sorry. Let the experts handle your chimney troubles like Chimney Cleaning Pittsburg and repairing. Call Local Chimney Sweep Cleaning today.