What’s “Bugging” You This Summer?

Let’s face it, chimney tuckpointing isn’t at the top of your mind this summer. Spring cleaning is over, it’s time for a vacation. Maybe spending time at Lake Michigan or the pool took over your to-do list! But, have you noticed some familiar critters falling from the trees (and into your pool…) all over the Chicagoland area? Big cicadas made their way out this spring, and created plenty of mischief like crawling into the loose chimney cap and cracks in the mortar. However, there are a variety of bugs and critters that crawl through your chimney’s cap and cracks, especially if you haven’t gotten the chimney tuckpointing or the chimney cap checked recently. 

How Do Bugs Get In?

Bugs are small and sneaky. They can crawl into your home through any unsealed crack. A chimney that hasn’t been repaired is at high risk for bugs (even weather elements) to find a cozy home inside a chimney crack. Especially spiders, stink bugs, and ants. Sometimes, you can’t even see the cracks without squinting for a closer look. A thorough inspection by a certified chimney expert at Superior Chimney can help you identify underlying mortar problems that are not readily visible.

How Does Tuckpointing Work?

Notice any holes in the outside of your chimney? Maybe some bricks are flaking or falling apart, or chunks of masonry missing from the chimney? These are common signs that your chimney needs repair. A certified chimney professional will grind down any existing compromised mortar between the bricks and replace it with new mortar that blends with the rest of your mortar and home. Chimney tuckpointing doesn’t need to happen every year, you just need to get your chimney checked for damages once a year from the winter freeze thaw cycles. That’s because the weather in Chicago is brutal between the rain, wind, snow, and changes in temperatures. Damages caused by weather, bugs or critters that are left unfixed can take a toll on the chimney, costing you lots of unnecessary money in repairs. Preventative checks are always the best and more cost-effective way to go.

When to Invest in Chimney Tuckpointing

Like we said before, if you notice any visible cracking, it’s time to call a certified chimney professional. But when you should invest in chimney tuckpointing is based on a few more factors. 

• Age of your home: if you have an older home, your chimney may be more susceptible to mortar deterioration. Natural wear and tear occurs over time, so it’s important to keep up to date on any chimney repairs.
• Environmental damage: The Chicagoland area has experienced some significant weather changes over the past few months. Rain, humidity, snow, wind and freezing temperatures take a toll on the chimney’s brick and mortar structure.
• A Proactive Approach: Regular inspections and timely chimney tuckpointing help to avoid any unexpected costs in the future. It also reduces the risk of damage to your home, and stops any unwanted bugs from entering through the cracks.

Catch Them Early!

Don’t let those nasty summer bugs live inside the cracks of your chimney. Call Superior Chimney for a chimney inspection today. A professional will decide to what extent your chimney needs tuckpointing repair, and get the job done right. Call us today for an inspection at 877-244-6349. 

This post first appeared on https://www.superiorchimney.net