4 Signs that You Need Chimney Repair

Chimneys last for many years, but they don’t last forever. Various things can go wrong with them over time. As a homeowner, you want to catch problems early and get them fixed quickly. Here are some things to look for that tell you your chimney needs attention.

Smoke drafting problems

If smoke is backing up into your home, your biggest concern is the carbon monoxide that smoke carries. Carbon monoxide is invisible and odorless, but it is known to be potentially fatal to people and pets when inhaled.

Drafting problems can be simple or complicated, depending on the cause.

The most common reasons for smoke to not draft properly up a chimney include:

• Obstructions such as built-up creosote or outside debris including leaves, twigs and the nests of small animals
• Fireplace damper not completely open
• House too air-tight (cracking a window usually solves this)
• Negative air pressure in the home caused by kitchen or bathroom fans, clothes dryers or other blowing devices

If you try everything and can’t solve the problem on your own, contact a licensed chimney inspector to determine if there are blockages in your flue.

Cracked or crumbling masonry

Even the smallest cracks in your chimney bricks can lead to big trouble down the line. The same with mortar that’s crumbling. When water penetrates masonry, it can begin a cycle of deterioration. If the moisture freezes in cold weather, it will expand and cause more masonry damage.

It’s a good idea to perform periodic visual inspections of your exterior chimney and look for areas that are cracked and crumbling. Masonry problems don’t resolve themselves, rather they get worse until you could be facing a collapsed chimney.

Chimney technicians have a variety of ways to address masonry damage. They can replace crumbling mortar and cracked bricks. They can rebuild sections of the chimney as needed. As a preventative, they can apply a water sealant to the chimney’s surfaces.

Component damage

Along with occasional visual inspections of your chimney’s masonry, you should take a look at its components.

• Make sure your chimney cap is fitted securely and isn’t warped, broken or otherwise damaged.
• Check the concrete chimney crown for signs of cracking and crumbling.
• Look at the flashing that seals the gap between the roof and chimney. Is it warped or rusted? Are sections missing?
• How does your fireplace damper work? Is it smooth, or is it hard to move and squeaky?

Any component issues you uncover can be resolved by a chimney technician either through repair work or component replacement.

Leaky chimney

Chimney leaks should be determined and repaired as quickly as possible to prevent widespread structural and component damage. A severely leaking chimney also can cause rot and decay in home building materials near the leak.

Look for these signs of a leaky chimney:

• Water in the firebox
• Strong musty odors coming from the fireplace or in the attic or crawl spaces
• Damp sections of the ceiling or walls near the fireplace/chimney
• White discoloration (efflorescence) on the exterior chimney masonry

Contact a chimney repair company if you notice any of these signs.

Keep your chimney in great shape all year long

Fluesbrothers Chimney & Fireplace of Kansas City, KS, is ready to help with all your chimney needs including chimney cleaning, chimney inspections and a full menu of repair and rebuilding services.

To arrange an appointment or get your questions answered, call (913) 236-7141.

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