Repairing A Brick Chimney
A chimney is more than just an elongated window or a portal from the inside to the outside with a deep brick sill. A chimney is a machine that generates airflow for fuel combustion. Hot air from a fireplace fire rises through a chimney column, creating a draft that draws more air into the fireplace, feeding the fire. Chimneys, as machines, are more complicated than they appear. The exterior is usually brick, but the flue (the interior column) is usually made of clay tile.
Repairing cracks in your brick chimney can save you thousands of dollars in future repairs while also keeping you and your family safe by lowering the risk of chimney fires. Small cracks in the summer can grow to be surprisingly large cracks by the following spring. Allowing larger cracks in the outer brick to go unnoticed will increase the penetrating effect of rain, snow, and ice. The water then starts to seep down, sometimes between the outer brick and the flashing, sometimes further inside, between both the outer brick as well as the flue.
If left unchecked, these minor events can add up to disastrous consequences for roof systems and interior ceilings, insulation, wall studs, and even floors. To help maintain your chimneys, make sure to get an inspection and cleaning service from Local Chimney Cleaning Albany experts.
Worse, cracks in a brick chimney that extend from the flue to the exterior are one of the causes of a terrifying, devastating phenomenon known as a chimney fire. Chimney fires can start quickly—those who have witnessed them describe them as an explosion followed by a freight train-like sound. Only the fire department can put out a chimney fire because it must be extinguished from the top down.
Seasons and weather influence brick chimney repair. When temperatures are below 40 degrees Fahrenheit, do not apply mortar. Do not apply the mortar if you are applying it in warm weather but expect temperatures to drop below freezing within 24 hours. Instead, wait until the weather conditions are favorable.
Damage to the interior clay flue liner and joints is a major cause of chimney fires. Creosote accumulates in the cracks and eventually catches fire. These issues are difficult to resolve. To solve the problem, most contractors will install a metal flue liner.
When repairing a chimney, work slowly and carefully. Impatience and hasty work invite mishaps. When working on a roof, there is always the risk of a fall and serious injury, and the higher the roof or the steeper the pitch of the roof, the greater the danger. If you choose to repair your chimney, work on a dry day and wear shoes or boots with firm-grip soles. Never work on a dripping roof.
When working on a roof, consider using a safety harness, also known as a fall-arresting harness, especially if the roof is very steep or very high. A metal ridge anchor attached to the peak of the house, a body harness that fits around your back and hips, and a rope with an automatic locking mechanism that prevents you from falling a long distance are all part of the equipment. Fall-arresting harnesses are available for rent at home improvement stores and tool rental stores.