4 Signs Your Chimney Is Probably in Need of Repairs

A damaged chimney is a sign of potential fire hazard. Most homeowners are unmindful about small telltale signs of damage and how they could render the safety of the house and its inmates at stake. Learning to identify these signs can save you huge repair costs and also assure a safer home to live in. 

Normally, the functioning of a chimney along with a healthy flue lining makes the first line of defense against potential fire breakout. In order to protect your family, it is vital to address chimney issues immediately, as soon as they arise. 

Fortunately, you can spot some of the most evident warning signs even in the absence of trained eye – try and look for the following sings elucidated below: 

1.    Damaged Mortar Joints

Damaged mortar joints between chimney masonry should always be repaired immediately. Falling mortar joints could leads to accelerated chimney damage, as more water seeps into the bricks leading to excessive freeze-thaw cycles, which if neglected can even lead to chimney collapse.      

2.    Rusted Damper

Moisture settling in a chimney is a red flag warning that something is amiss with the functioning of the chimney. Rusted dampers are direct clue that there is too much moisture accumulating in your chimney. Get masonry contractors in Rogers Park to handle the problem for you. 

3.    Spalling Bricks

Spalling occurs when water seeps into the joints and pushes the surface of masonry to eventually pop out. It’s quite easy to spot spalling. As soon as you spot the problem, call masonry contractors Wicker Park to repair to prevent further damage to the chimney.

4.    Shaling Flue Tiles

In order to use a chimney safely, it is important to have the flue line intact. When tiny chips of chimney tiles start piling up at the bottom of the chimney, it is a clear indication that your chimney lining has been damaged.

While shaling flue tiles can become evident, cracked flue liners should be inspection by professional masonry contractors in Lakeview. They use special cameras for the purpose to identify any damage and also to analyze its extent.

 

Masonry Brick Maintenance Tips for Homeowners

Nothing compares to the aesthetics, quality, durability and superior performance of brick, block and stone house exteriors. And while a masonry exterior is regarded as low maintenance, it certainly does not call to be no maintenance!

 Masonry products are definitely one the oldest, versatile and long-standing building materials. No wonder most of the architecturally significant and iconic structures across the world were built in stone or brick.  Even today, masonry bricks are the first choice of majority of homeowners for patios, siding and walks.

 

However to make the bricks last long, it is important for the homeowners to know how to maintain them.

1.    Things to Consider When Tuck Pointing Mortar Joints

Damaged mortar joints can soak water and thus give rise to a number of problems like swelling up of the walls, weakening of the walls, and bacterial growth.

Prevent the problem from escalating by repairing the joints with a technique called tuckpointing. Be careful to remove all the mortar junks to a depth of at least ½ an inch before filling it with new mortar mix. You can use a joint raker or a simple chisel for this task.

When you prepare the mortar mix, begin by mixing only a small quantity, especially if only patches on the wall need repair. This gives you a chance to match the color of the old and new mortar and help avoid drastic color contrasts on the walls. 

To know more about the kind of mortar mixes available in the market, do consult masonrycontractors in Lakeview.

2.    Traditional Vs Modern Masonry Techniques

Stone is the most ancient form of masonry. Stone exteriors work best only when installed with traditional techniques involving use of mortars made from natural cements and lime putty. You need to realize that mixing traditional stone installation techniques with modern building techniques such as veneer applications or wall tiles will not last forever.

For instance, many homeowners wish to get the look of stone without intending to pay the cost of building a stone exterior. Stone Veneer in comparison will be cost much less, but then it will also last for a much shorter span of time.

3.    Properly Sealed Masonry Works Best 

Water is the worst enemy for any stone masonry as its freeze-thaw cycles leads to development of cracks in the stones and bricks. However, properly sealed masonry prevents this problem to a great extent. Make sure you carry out routine inspection after heavy rains. Look out for dark patches (indicating water has been soaked into the stone surface) causing damage.

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