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.