Brick Chimney Repairs, How to Repair a Brick Chimney?

Brick Chimney Repairs in Nassau County NY , DEC 16, 2021

Brick Chimney Repairs, The Complete Guide, Nassau County NY

If you have soot or creosote build-up in your fireplace or a bird’s nest in your chimney, be sure to have it professionally cleaned by a chimney sweep before building another fire.

Chimney problems Besides lightning damage, which surprisingly occurs quite often, chimneys are also susceptible to other common deterioration problems. Partially because of their exposure to the harsh weather elements, repairs to chimneys are among the most common needs when it comes to brick repairs.

Deterioration. Both brick and mortar can be subject to deteriorate over time. While most bricks are hard-fired and should last well over 100 years, many adobe or antique blends are softer and more porous, and may last only 50 years or less.

“Spalling” occurs through freeze-thaw cycles, when rain soaks into the brick, then freezes and expands, separating thin layers of the brick from the face. These layers may eventually begin to fall off and be found at the base of the chimney or other exposed walls.

Mortar joints can also deteriorate or develop voids prematurely, depending on the type used and the methods employed during original construction.

Cracked Crowns. Simply as a matter of convenience, chimneys are most commonly finished off with a crown built with mortar, although this practice is clearly substandard Mortar crowns shrink, crack, and deteriorate prematurely, allowing water to enter the top of the chimney. This then may cause brick to pop loose or deteriorate, and contribute to problems with other chimney components and adjoining construction materials.

Chimney crowns should be poured with portland cement or concrete, rather than mortar, or be completely covered with a custom chimney cap.

Flashing. Two types of flashing are typically installed to prevent rainwater from entering between the roof and chimney. Primary flashing is installed by roofers and is placed under the shingles. Counter flashing overlaps primary flashing, is cut into the brickwork, and is usually installed by masons.Even a minor breach in this flashing can cause a significant leak, as water pours into this crevasse during rainfall.

Chimney Caps.  Every chimney needs a cap with a spark arrestor. Without a cap, water is pouring into your fireplace through this huge opening every time it rains, potentially causing damage to several components of the fireplace and/or surrounding materials.

A basic chimney cap that clamps onto the protruding flue liner can be purchased from a hardware store and installed by the average do-it-yourselfer. Custom caps made of galvanized sheet metal, stainless steel, or copper can be quite expensive, but are designed to protect the entire top of the chimney.

However, if you have cracked or deteriorated brick or mortar, you may need Chimney Repair Nassau County NY’s services. We are Chimney repair experts in Nassau County NY, and can inspect your fireplace and chimney for problems related to cracks or deterioration, lightning damage, water leaks, or smoking problems. Please let us know if we can perform a chimney inspection for you, or help you with any of these services. Contact Us at (516) 899-5589

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