Most homeowners think of their chimney as the bricks that they see extending upward from their roof. Each team member at Northeastern Chimney knows that there’s more to the story than that, and we often spend part of any visit educating homeowners on the various parts that make up their chimney system. So, we thought today we’d go over the four main protective components of your chimney.

Every chimney has a flue

Your chimney flue is essentially a tunnel, a vertical interior passage extending from your fireplace to the outside. The flue allows smoke to escape as you burn wood in the firebox. For most homes, your flue includes the brick and mortar we commonly call the chimney. It should also include a flue liner, typically made up of a thin sheet of metal that acts as a protective barrier for the inside of the flue. When our technicians visit your home for a chimney sweep, that means we’re removing any dirt and debris (called creosote) from the inside of your flue.

Your chimney should have a damper

A damper is a control box. It determines the amount of air flowing in and out of your chimney. If your fireplace is burning, your damper should be left open. If there isn’t an active fire in your fireplace, then you should close the damper so that cold air doesn’t reenter your home. Never operate your chimney with the damper in the closed position, otherwise, carbon monoxide can’t escape and will back up into your home.

A chimney crown is a vital component

Extending beyond your bricks and mortar is your crown. It’s traditionally a slab of concrete, metal, or stone. Functionally, it helps to protect your chimney system from deterioration due to weather. A good analogy is to think of it as your chimney’s gutter system. Rather than let rain or melting snow run down your bricks (potentially causing damage), it diverts the water away. Crowns can wear over time, which is another vital reason to have an annual chimney inspection. If your crown is cracked or damaged, your mortar is almost always soon to follow.

No chimney is complete without a chimney cap

Escaping smoke and heat effectively invites birds and other critters to try and take up residence on top of or even in your chimney. Your cap keeps them from building their nests, falling in the chimney, and also keeps other kinds of debris such as leaves and sticks from clogging up your flue and potentially starting a fire. Fixing the protective components of your chimney During an inspection, your Northeastern Chimney technician can let you know if any of these protective components of your chimney are missing or in need of repair. As each of them is extremely important to the proper function of your chimney system, you don’t want to use it if any of them have issues. Contact us at 860-233-5770 to schedule an inspection if you have any questions or concerns about any of these protective components. You can also fill out our web form to book your appointment by visiting the link here.

This post first appeared on https://www.mychimney.com

Be Prepared and Be Safe

Winter! We are in the thick of it. Our cold New England winters affect us in many ways personally, and this includes our chimneys and basements. The harsh weather can cause many problems that you want to know and understand, i.e., animals, backdrafts, downdrafts, leaks, and damage. Let’s look at some of the issues to identify them and learn how to solve or prevent them.

Animal Control

When it’s cold outside, we like to stay inside. So do critters like mice, squirrels and raccoons. They have nowhere to go to put the heat on, so; they go for the following best choices: your chimney or your basement!

Many kinds of small animals, including certain birds, like to hang out in chimneys during the winter – and they build nests in their new homes to birth their offspring later. Nesting material, along with any animals who unfortunately have died inside the chimney, will impede smoke from drafting properly from your fireplace, or worse yet, lead to fires. Any cracks or holes in the basement are perfect invitations for animals and rodents.

Wind Induced Downdrafts

This is when a gust of wind creates a puff-back when having a fire. This is different from a standard downdraft because it only happens when the wind blows. Solutions include raising the flue and/or installing a chimney cap (vacu-stack).  A camera inspection is recommended to diagnose what is going on.

Backdrafts

Smoke backing up into your home is no fun. Less fun is what the smoke carries: toxins and pollutants that can cause respiratory irritation and exacerbate chronic lung or heart conditions. During the winter, your chimney flue absorbs the outside temperature, adding a block of cold, heavy air that impedes the lighter, warmer air (i.e., smoke) from moving up and out of the Chimney.

Suppose this is the only reason you’re experiencing backdrafts. In that case, the solution often is as simple as holding some kindling or a lit rolled-up newspaper past the damper for a few minutes to warm the flue before starting and enjoying your fire.

A couple of things you can do: have your Chimney professionally inspected and swept as part of your annual home maintenance.

Chimney Leaks

A leaky chimney is nothing to take lightly or overlook. If there’s a leak, that means some area of the structure has been compromised and will continue to get worse.

Masonry damage during the winter is the cause of many chimney leaks. Small cracks in bricks and mortar allow water from rain or melting snow to get inside. When the temperature drops below freezing, the moisture expands, thaws, and creates internal decay.

This is a huge reason to be sure to get your Chimney inspected regularly. Once the area of damage is located, it can be fixed either through brick replacement, tuckpointing (replacement of crumbling mortar), partial chimney rebuilding, or, in minor cases, a water-sealant application.

Damage to chimney components

Chimney flashing, concrete chimney crowns, and chimney caps can all be damaged during our brutal winters and during other times of the year. Weather such as high winds, freezing temperatures, pounding hail, lightning strikes, and other events are common causes of chimney damage.

When any component of your chimney isn’t working correctly and safely, more extensive problems are likely to occur down the line. Therefore, it’s always recommended that you schedule an annual chimney inspection, preferably not during the dead of winter, to diagnose small problems and get them solved before they become big, expensive, and dangerous.

Inspections along with regular chimney sweeping and required repair work will allow you to use your Chimney and fireplace safely and with peace of mind during the cold winter days and nights.

Best Chimney provides everything you need to keep your chimney going strong all winter long. Call us for certified chimney sweep services, inspections, repairs, rebuilding, basement evaluations and more!

The post Winter Weather, Winds, and Chimneys appeared first on Boston's Best Chimney.

A gas fireplace is an excellent addition to any home, especially if you live in a cold climate. A gas fireplace provides warmth and creates a cozy atmosphere, and you’ll want to make sure it’s working all winter long. So how much maintenance does a gas fireplace need, exactly? Here’s what you need to know.

Yearly Inspections Are A Must

Yearly inspections for your gas fireplace are incredibly important. Not only do these inspections keep your fireplace running properly, but they also prevent fire safety issues. A professional chimney sweep can do a comprehensive safety check to identify any potential problems with your fireplace. They can also clean the decorative pieces on your fireplace to keep them in good condition.

These annual fireplace inspections typically take less than an hour to complete and are not very invasive. Set a reminder on your calendar each year to ensure you have this important appointment scheduled.

No Daily or Weekly Maintenance Required

Other than your yearly inspection, there’s not much maintenance required for a gas fireplace. This gives them a huge advantage over traditional wood fireplaces and other types of fireplaces that required a lot of upkeep. As a result, gas fireplaces are very popular among homeowners with busy lifestyles who don’t have time to manage a wood fireplace.

Watch For Emergencies

While gas fireplaces don’t require regular maintenance other than your annual inspection, you should still keep an eye on them for potential safety issues. If you notice a safety problem, it’s important to contact a professional right away for help. If you let safety problems with your gas fireplace go unchecked, it can lead to gas leaks or even a house fire. Here are some of the problems to watch out for.

 

• Abnormal debris buildup. It’s normal for small amounts of debris to build up in your fireplace when you use it regularly. Normal buildup can be removed during your annual inspection. However, if you notice more debris than normal, you should call a professional to have it removed.
• Broken parts. Even a small broken part on your gas fireplace could lead to serious safety issues. If you notice that any part of your fireplace is broken, contact a professional right away, and don’t use your fireplace until they give you the all-clear. This is particularly important if you suspect the broken part could contribute to a gas leak.
• Ventilation issues. Your fireplace needs to be properly ventilated to work safely. However, it’s possible for things to get trapped in your chimney, making it impossible for smoke to get out. If you notice a blockage, don’t try to remove it yourself – instead, call a professional for help.

Although gas chimneys are relatively low-maintenance, it’s still very important to keep an eye out for potential safety issues. Northeastern Chimney provides chimney repairs and inspections throughout Connecticut. Give us a call at (860)-223-5770 or visit mychimney.com to schedule your gas fireplace inspection

 

This post first appeared on https://www.mychimney.com

When you are looking at your house, you might not always be thinking about your roof. Aside from that, roof problems can quickly get out of hand. The chimney is one of the most vulnerable parts of your roof, and it is different from the roof structure, which magnifies the risk to other parts of the roof.

You need to be able to determine if you need a chimney repair or you can have it inspected at first. Therefore, it is important that you are aware of the signs and you will know what they are here.

Leaks

If your brick chimney has leaks in your home, then you know that it needs immediate attention. They can occur for different kinds of reasons, so you need to have a professional check and assess the issue. The worse thing is that the leak can be hard to locate for an untrained eye since leaks move across the surfaces, so you are not aware of the origin. For instance, if there is a leak caused by the poor flashing that is around the chimney’s base. The leak can go into your attic, across rafters, and goes into the wall that does not seem to be near the chimney.

Mortar Joints are Deteriorating

The damaged mortar joints must be repaired right away, and they are found between the chimney masonry. When they deteriorate, the masonry gets exposed to even more moisture, and it accelerates the deterioration. During the freezing weather, the moisture has the tendency to freeze in the cracks and masonry. When the moisture thaws and then freezes in rocks, bricks, and cement, it can lead to larger cracks. Your chimney may collapse if you do not have the damaged mortar repaired.

Cracks

The chimney crown’s major role is to stop water damage from happening. Since it sits on the chimney, it is supposed to keep water and snow from going into the structure. However, if the crown has a crack or damage, moisture will enter its way that causes a couple of issues like broken or damper flue tiles. If you want to know if there is a crack in the chimney crown, you must go on the roof as the majority of the damage is not seen from the ground. If you see that there is a crack in the crown, you must quickly replace it, or the moisture problem worsens causing more structural damage.

Rusty Firebox

Signs of moisture are bad signs that the chimney is not operating the way it should. Rust is a clue there is a lot of moisture, and you might see rust inside the damper or firebox. You need to look closer to whether it is hard to operate or not sealing properly. Chimney moisture leak that causes rust can create a lot of problems, which include a crack in the flue tiles. A deteriorated or cracked flue lining causes a lot of danger, and it can allow a lot of heat that goes into the weak areas, which could cause a fire.

Chimney Blockage

You need to make sure that the chimney is clear before booting up the fireplace in the winter. Always check if the chimney is clear because the smoke cannot simply go back into your home – this is dangerous.

If you need chimney inspection Bowie, do not hesitate to book an appointment.

The post Blog first appeared on First Class Chimney Services.

This post first appeared on https://www.firstclasschimneyservices.com

If you are in the process of buying a home, you know that the home inspection is a “make it or break it” moment. The results of the inspection can either give you the green light to buy a home, or persuade you to walk away. If you are interested in a home that has a chimney, you may be asking, “Do home inspectors look at chimneys?” After all, although fireplaces add value to homes, you want to make sure that the home that you are considering is safe and that the purchase brings you the right value for the price you are paying. Today, we’ll discuss whether or not home inspectors look at chimneys and the steps that you should take if you are considering buying a home with a chimney.

Are you interested in having your potential new home’s chimney inspected? Best Chimney has been providing certified chimney inspections to homes in the greater Boston, MA area since 1989. Click here or call (781) 893-6611 to schedule an inspection, or contact our team with questions.

Now, we’ll discuss what to do if you are considering buying a home with a chimney.

 Home Inspections and Chimneys

During a home inspection, the inspector will check everything from the roof to the electrical outlets and plumbing. When it comes to the chimney and fireplace, however, home inspectors usually only take a quick look.

Home inspectors typically do the following:

• Shine a flashlight up the chimney to do a quick visual inspection
• Open and close the dampers
• Check for clear signs of structural damage
• Ensure that there are not holes in the firebox

This type of inspection only scratches the surface of what a chimney company’s inspection will cover. If you are considering buying a home with a chimney, it is worth your time and money to have a Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) certified chimney company come to inspect your chimney.

Why Hire a Certified Chimney Company

There are many reasons why you should hire a CSIA certified chimney company, including the high level of training that these technicians undergo before gaining the certification and inspecting chimneys. Unlike home inspectors, chimney inspectors will perform a thorough chimney inspection and answer any of your questions regarding how chimneys work in the process.

Certified chimney companies typically use a high tech camera do the following:

• Check for gaps in the heating or fireplace flues
• Observe for different stages of creosote build up
• Make sure that appliances are properly installed
• Check for signs of water penetration in the chimney’s masonry
• Look for any obstructions within the structure

As you can see, a chimney inspection performed by a certified company covers significantly more than one performed by a home inspector. Furthermore, throughout all of these checks, certified inspectors will follow Section 13.2 of NFPA 211, which is a strict standard. If you are looking to avoid future chimney fires and ensure that you are not buying a house with many chimney problems, an inspection by a certified chimney company is the best route to take.

Call Boston’s Best for a Chimney Inspection

Best Chimney Services, Inc. is a locally owned, certified chimney company serving the Greater Boston, MA area. We’ve been helping homeowners for over 30 years and we would love to help you make a good home buying decision by inspecting your potential home’s chimney. Click here or call (781) 893-6611 if you’d like to book an appointment or if you have any questions for our team.

The post Do Home Inspectors Look at Chimneys appeared first on Boston's Best Chimney.

Are you considering getting an energy audit? Organizations such as Mass Save can evaluate your home’s energy efficiency and provide suggestions and tools to make your home more energy efficient.  Most homeowners don’t realize, if you move forward with home improvements such as replacement windows or better attic insulation, your chimney will most likely be affected. This makes sense, given the importance of your chimney to the overall system of your home. Today, we will review how an energy audit may affect your fireplace.

Looking for a Team of Chimney Experts?

Best Chimney Services is a full service chimney company serving the Greater Boston, MA area. From chimney inspections to chimney sweeps, masonry work and more, we are here to serve you. Don’t hesitate to click here or call (781) 893-6611 to contact us about your chimney questions or needs.

Now we will discuss the details of home energy audits and fireplaces.

What You Should Know About Home Energy Audits and Fireplaces

As a chimney owner, you know that your fireplace is adding value to your home. But you also want to be sure that it is not negatively impacting how your home works! That is why it’s important to understand how an energy audit may affect your fireplace.

Energy Audit Home Improvements

Energy audits are designed to help people identify areas of their home where warm air is escaping in the winter and cold air is escaping in the summer. Many people make home improvements such as getting replacement windows, re-insulating their attics, installing new entry doors, or getting new kitchen exhaust fans after getting advice to do so from an energy audit. While these home improvements can be excellent ways to save on energy bills, they will  impact air pressure within the home.

Air naturally flows from high pressure zones to low pressure zones. In older, draftier houses with traditional fireplaces, drafting tends to work well because the chimney is located through the middle of the home (opposed to an exterior wall), affecting the flue temperature, and therefore, draft . This causes the smoke to escape through the chimney and create a healthy draft in the process. According to Star Energy Partners, homes built after the year 2000 use about 20 percent less energy to heat their internal space. Thes modern, energy efficient houses have low pressure as a result of being tightly sealed.  As a result of this, the lower pressure air depressurizes the room, creating a downdraft.

Potential Solutions

There are many reasons why a fireplace or heating system will suddenly stop drafting, but knowing what energy efficient updates were made can help produce a solution. From providing make-up air, raising the chimney, installing an insert or mechanical draft inducer, there are several solutions that a chimney company can provide if you are facing drafting issues after making an energy efficient home improvement. By the way, if you are looking to hire a chimney company, be sure to hire a CSIA certified technician to ensure you receive services that you can trust from highly trained professionals.

Contact Us with Your Boston, MA Area Chimney Needs

If you are experiencing downdrating or other chimney smoke problems, Boston’s Best Chimney is here to help you. If you have questions on how a recent energy audit may have impacted your fireplace, or if you are experiencing drafting issues, feel free to contact our team for more information. With over twenty years of experience, we are ready to help you with your chimney needs!

The post Energy Audits and Fireplaces: What You Should Know appeared first on Boston's Best Chimney.

The chimney and chimney liner work together to protect your Kansas City home and keep your family safe while you’re enjoying the warmth of a fireplace. The chimney liner is an essential safety component that protects the masonry from the high heat and flames in the firebox. When the chimney liner is damaged due to its age, moisture, or other issues, there is an increased risk of the intense heat spreading to nearby combustible building materials, such as the attic or a wood-framed chimney chase, that can cause a house fire. A damaged liner also increases the risk of exposure to dangerous carbon monoxide fumes.

It’s often difficult for homeowners to assess the condition of a chimney liner without a professional chimney inspection. However, if you notice any of the following signs of trouble, it may be time to replace your liner.

Clay Material in the Firebox

Many older homes still have the original clay tile chimney liner that has exceeded their expected 20-to-30-year lifespan. In addition, creosote buildup, moisture, and a chimney fire can damage the liner causing the clay tiles to flake, crack and burst, accelerating its deterioration. It also shortens its lifespan considerably. You may notice flakes or chunks of clay material in the firebox when this occurs. As the chimney liner continues to deteriorate, the risk of fire and exposure to carbon monoxide also increases, making it unsafe to operate your fireplace or heating stove.

Moisture or Condensation

Clay tile chimney liners are porous materials that weaken when exposed to moisture or condensation. For example, a chimney leak due to worn flashing or cracks in the masonry or chimney crown can expose the chimney liner to water damage when it rains. The moisture weakens the chimney liner that can cause it to crack. Also, when the warm interior air mixes with the cold exterior air, the chimney liner can sweat, resulting in condensation if there are any cracks in the masonry and liner. Both are signs that indicate that a chimney liner replacement may be necessary.

New Fireplace or Insert Installation

Chimney liners must meet the manufacturer’s specifications for the heating appliance to operate safely and meet building code regulations. Anytime you are converting from one fuel type to another or installing a new fireplace or insert, the chimney liner will need to be replaced following the specifications for your new heating appliance. Installing a new fireplace with an existing chimney liner that doesn’t meet the manufacturer’s specs can result in performance and safety issues.

Chimney Inspection

Your chimney liner is an essential safety component for protecting your home and family from a devastating fire and exposure to harmful fumes. A chimney inspection is the only way to determine whether it’s time to replace your chimney liner. That’s why national fire safety experts and chimney professionals, including Fluesbrothers, encourage all homeowners with solid or liquid fuel appliances to have annual chimney inspections.
A chimney inspection is a top-to-bottom interior/exterior visual examination of the entire chimney system, including the chimney liner, vents, and attached heating appliances. If a chimney liner replacement is necessary, we typically recommend UL-listed stainless-steel liners for improved energy
efficiency, fewer chimney repairs, and long-lasting durability.

Chimney Liner Replacement in Kansas City KS/MO

Fluesbrothers Chimney & Fireplace is a National Chimney Sweep Guild (NCSG) Certified Chimney Reliner. We have been providing homeowners throughout the Kansas City Metro area with quality chimney services, including certified chimney inspections and chimney liner repairs and replacements for more than a decade. Call (913) 236-7141 or contact us here to schedule an appointment with a certified chimney technician today.

The post Is It Time To Replace Your Chimney Liner appeared first on Fluesbrothers Chimney Service.

A fireplace cold draft is a common problem for many homeowners. There are many reasons for a fireplace cold draft to occur, but what we know for certain is how the cold draft makes you feel. Uncomfortable. Let’s find out a bit more about some causes of fireplace cold drafts and what may be to be done to gain some control over a cold draft.

What is a Fireplace Cold Draft?

As we all know from our grammar school science class days, hot air rises and cold air sinks. That’s the basic concept of physics as it relates to fireplace draft. A good fireplace draft is when the warm air from your home goes up the chimney and exits to the colder outside air, at the top of the chimney. If the heat wanting to rise up the chimney can’t escape your home, you may have the start of a cold draft or flow reversal. How do you know if you have a problem? Here are a few things to consider.

Cold Air Coming into the Home

Hot air along with the gasses from the fire, in the fireplace, make their way up through and to the top of the chimney – Cooler exterior air helps it continue to go up and out of your home. However, when negative air pressure is in the surrounding space inside of your home, it can hinder the hot air from being able to leave up and out of the chimney. Instead of the hot air going out, it comes back down into the home through the chimney. It’s a situation you want to avoid as harmful chemicals come back into your home with it.

Obstruction in the Chimney

A fireplace draft can be caused from an obstruction in the chimney.  You might have guessed what would be a great obstruction…little critters. Raccoon, squirrel, bat or bird’s nesting & debris are primary causes of obstructions in the chimney. Don’t forget, buildup of soot in the chimney and on the chimney cap can also be considered an obstruction.

Shifting Winds

Living in Chicago and the Chicagoland area, you know how the winds can be. When you see branches of a bare tree swaying in the wind, it’s definitely a windy day. The other way to know it’s windy out is by listening to your chimney. If you hear a whistling sound, it’s also a sign of a windy day.  The shifting winds or even tall nearby trees can cause winds to swirl around the chimney causing draftiness.

Fireplace Dampers

Most fireplace dampers can control the flow cold air coming into the home. They are often called termination dampers or a chimney top damper. At Superior Chimney, we recommend the fireplace damper with lip over lip insulated closure for maximum efficiency! The Fireplace damper takes care of most cold air that can seep into the home while also acting as a superior chimney cap when closed. The benefits include:

• Seal heat in during winter months and cold in during the summer
• Keeps debris out
• Keeps animals and other critters out
• Keep weather elements from entering the home
• Keep sparks from leaving the fireplace
• No cold wind induced drafty air coming in from the outside

Contact Superior Chimney to get a fireplace damper installed. It’ll be a great way to help control the cost of energy in your home.

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

The thousands of dollars of damages caused by chimney fires are normally because of the flames migrating upward, melting, warping, or negatively affecting the masonry or chimney walls. In the majority of cases, chimney fires can ruin houses and risk lives. These tragedies are normally preventable because you can have your chimney inspected, repaired, or cleaned. This way, the chimney will not malfunction or collect build-ups that can cause risks.

A chimney inspection service can prevent any of this from happening, and you should be aware of the effects of a chimney fire. Read more about it now.

What is it?

Combustibles that you burn in the chimney only burn partially. It is hard to avoid incomplete combustion, but you can minimize the impact by properly burning seasoned wood if you have a clean chimney. The residue that comes from incomplete combustion builds up over time that lines the flue with creosote.

Creosote is combustible if it is at the right temperature. When the airflow is blocked or there is a damaged flue, it leads to poor airflow. Since there is trapped heat, the chimney heats up more than intended, and this ignites creosote. This chimney fire can be extremely dangerous.

Dirt Causes Chimney Fire

The dirt in your chimney causes fires, which is damaging to the structure, and it destroys homes that can kill or injure people.

Chimney fire creates a popping noise and loud cracking, with a lot of dense smoke, and an intense and hot smell.

Chimney fires burn explosively that is noisy and dramatic enough that can be detected by people or neighbors around you. Dense smoke or flames shoots from the chimney. Homeowners get startled by rumbling sounds that remind them of a low-flying airplane or freight train.

Flue Tiles Get Damaged

A lot of homes use clay flue tiles to line their chimney. This is rated to be able to withstand high temperatures. However, there are chimney fires that burn over 2,000 degrees that can be too hot for tiles causes damages such as cracking.

The breach in your flue liner is a big concern. It increases the possibility for combustibles nearby in the construction in your home. All the cracked tiles cause fires, and they find a new pathway to get out of the flue, which potentially causes a house fire.

Exterior Masonry Cracks

Similar to flue tiles, the brick masonry of the chimney can be damaged by heat. If there is a chimney fire, the brick or mortar joints can open and crack new pathways for fire or heat. This is a reason why yearly chimney inspections become critical. These cracks are hard to notice and can cause disaster if it is not repaired before another chimney fire happens.

Most of them are Undetected

Slow-burning chimney fires do not have enough air or have fuel that becomes dramatic or visible and they normally go undetected until there is a chimney inspection. However, the temperatures they reach are high and cause a lot of damage to the chimney’s structure. In addition, the nearby combustible house parts are connected to this.

Scorched Areas

The chimney fire because of high heat can also scorch away the deposits in certain parts of the chimney. This leaves behind areas that only look clean, that are surrounded by combustible deposits.

You can go for chimney contractors Ellicott City if you need your chimney inspected to prevent fires.

The post Blog first appeared on First Class Chimney Services.

This post first appeared on https://www.firstclasschimneyservices.com

Your chimney needs regular maintenance and care. An inspection can help establish a baseline for the health of your chimney. After your inspection visit, you may need to invest in chimney repair, depending on what your technician discovers. Our team member can walk you through what that will look like and which of our two options is best: rebuilding vs repointing. At the surface, both types of repair are designed to restore your chimney to functional performance. However, there are distinct differences between each technique.

First, what is chimney repointing?

The mortar joints between your chimney’s bricks can weather over time. The freeze and thaw cycle that we frequently experience here in the Northeast plays havoc with the structure of your chimney. Eventually, voids and pockets can develop, allowing water to penetrate deeper into the mortar, eroding it even more.

Repointing fills in these gaps with fresh mortar, though your Northeastern Chimney technician will clean any debris out of the gaps first.

Tuckpointing

As a potential variation to repointing, your technician may recommend tuckpointing. This completely removes the mortar joint material and replaces it with new.

Either way, repointing and tuckpointing both help to waterproof your chimney while simultaneously solidifying its structural integrity. In addition, repointing can help mitigate potential fire risks and refresh the look of your chimney, making it look virtually brand new.

Next, what are the three types of chimney rebuilding?

Rebuilding is a more labor-intensive method, though necessary if the damage to your masonry or bricks is extensive.

Partial rebuild

If the chimney damage involves more than repointing, you’re looking at a partial rebuild. It can involve tearing down one (or more) layers of your chimney to repair the damage.

Roofline rebuild

Roofline rebuild involves — you guessed it — repairs to your roof in addition to your chimney. If the framing, sheathing, or rafters are damaged, a roofline rebuild will replace them in addition to the repairs to the chimney mortar.

Complete rebuild

Finally, a complete rebuild involves demolishing the existing chimney and starting over. Your mason will install a new crown, damper, and flashing, building a new chimney layer by layer.

Preventative measures

Of course, preventative measures can help mitigate the need for repairs such as rebuilding or chimney repointing. Annual sweeps will eliminate creosote from your flue. Waterproofing can minimize the effect of the elements. Relining is another option that can help to reinforce your chimney from the inside out. Finally, an annual inspection will catch minor issues early on before they turn into a later (and far more costly) project.

Rebuilding vs chimney repointing

Both techniques will restore your chimney to working condition. It simply depends on the health of your chimney and how much weathering is present to answer the question: ‘is chimney repointing right for this chimney damage or do I need a full rebuild?’ As Connecticut’s premier chimney maintenance company, contact one of our Northeastern Chimney team members today. We can quickly schedule a sweep, inspection, or repair at your convenience. Simply call us at 860-233-5770.

This post first appeared on https://www.mychimney.com