Signs Your Chimney May Need Repairs
A common mistake homeowners make is to ignore their chimney. They assume a chimney is indestructible, and therefore, they rarely think about it. Do you ignore your chimney? If so, you need to pay close attention to it. There may be a number of issues with your chimney that need to be addressed. With that in mind, here are clues your chimney may need repairs.
Signs of Chimney Damage
There are a number of clues that point to chimney damage. Here are some of the most common:
A White Powdery Substance on the Exterior of the Chimney
When you see a white, chalky powder on the exterior of your chimney, it is known as efflorescence. It occurs when water dissolves the salts in the brick. As your chimney’s bricks are exposed to the sun over a protracted period, they become more absorbent because they are being baked and broken down. Water erodes them, leaving a white powder as its calling card when it evaporates.
Damaged Mortar Joints
Like the bricks in your chimney, mortar can also become porous and absorb water. The more damaged the mortar joints become, the more water they absorb, and the vicious cycle repeats. When water is in the mortar and the weather drops below freezing, the freeze-thaw cycle will start, which will do even more damage due to expansion and contraction. Eventually, there will be nothing to hold the bricks in place, and they could fall out, or the entire chimney could collapse. Damaged mortar joints should be addressed immediately.
Spalling
Spalling occurs when the bricks and mortar have deteriorated enough to crack and fall out.
Water Damage to the Walls and Ceiling
If you see blotchy staining in the walls or on the ceiling around your fireplace, it’s a sign that the chimney has leaks. It can also cause wallpaper to peel off the walls. If you see any of these signs, the damage has spread beyond your chimney and can cause mold and mildew to grow in your attic and walls. It can also be a sign that your insulation is waterlogged and needs to be replaced.
Damage to the Chimney Crown
It isn’t always possible to see the top of a chimney crown; sometimes you have a view from another story, but most of the time it takes direct inspection. You should never climb onto your roof to inspect the chimney; you should leave that to a professional chimney sweep service. Not only do you run the risk of falling off your roof, but you may also miss details a chimney sweep won’t. If they find any cracks present, then repairs are required. Nothing will destroy your chimney faster than water damage from the top down.
A Rusted Firebox or Damper
Another distinct clue that your chimney has leaks is a rusted firebox, damper, or both. Leaks will cause internal components in your chimney to rust, so they can’t be used.
Don’t Ignore Clues of a Damaged Chimney
If you have noticed any of these signs that your chimney needs repairing, contact us today. We can repair your damaged chimney. Don’t wait until your chimney is so far gone that it needs to be replaced; get in touch right away.
