Typical Exterior Chimney Issues
When it comes to house upkeep and repair, one of the most commonly overlooked aspects is the external chimney. This is largely due to the fact that many homeowners only utilize their chimney for a few holiday fires and as a background to large family gatherings. Plus, because it’s so far up and generally out of sight from the bottom, it often goes unreported – until it’s in such horrible shape that it’s falling bricks!
But you don’t want it to fall into that state! A badly maintained chimney can create a variety of problems, including an increased danger of fire and costly structural damage. Fortunately, frequent care and prompt repairs when problems arise will go a long way toward keeping your chimney’s appearance, structural integrity, and use as a comfortable home hearth. Here’s a brief rundown of three of the most frequent external chimney issues and how to fix them:
Common Exterior Chimney Issues and Solutions
Cracks in the chimney crown and problems with the chimney cap The chimney crown is located at the very top of the chimney. The chimney crown, also known as a chimney wash, is a massive slab of metal, stone, or concrete that covers the top aperture of the chimney. This slab is built to the chimney’s specs and should be at least two inches thick in order to endure the rain, snow, and other precipitation that happens season after season. However, the same moisture that it protects the inside chimney from might cause harm to it over time.
Fast freeze-thaw changes are another major source of chimney crown cracks, however modern homes and chimneys are now built with freeze-thaw resistant concrete, so this is less of a concern. Because chimney crowns are custom-made for each chimney, crack repairs or new chimney crown replacement should be performed by a trained chimney expert and mason. Homeowners may also choose to place a chimney cap on top for further protection (note a chimney cap differs from a chimney crown in that it is primarily made of metal and serves only to cover the flue not the entirety of the top).
Problems with brickwork and chimney mortar. Bricks are an excellent construction material, and the bricks and chimney mortar used to construct your outside chimney were carefully prepared to resist temperatures as high as 3,000 degrees Fahrenheit. That being said, everything has a season, and if you haven’t examined your brickwork or chimney mortar in a while, now could be the time.
A typical external chimney concern is deteriorating chimney mortar, which exposes the bricks and other chimney components to moisture penetration, causing a cascade degradation impact on the entire system. The easiest method to avoid this is to have the chimney mortar evaluated on a regular basis and updated as needed.
Creosote and other obstacle accumulations, notably at the chimney cap Creosote and other blockage build-ups are one of the most prevalent concerns that can emerge both on the interior and at the top of the chimney for homeowners who use their fireplace more frequently than others. Creosote is formed when there is insufficient ventilation for a fire, resulting in incomplete combustion.
Chimney creosote can appear as a tar-like coating or as a more solidified substance that attaches to the interior surfaces of your chimney and can even obstruct the chimney crown and chimney cap. Because creosote carries significant health hazards, it is best to seek expert assistance if this is an issue. If you suspect that your chimney or fireplace is having some issues, have an expert inspect it. Call Local Chimney Sweep Cleaning today. We also offer Chimney Cleaning Richvale and other affordable services.
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