Are Chimney Rebuilds that Obvious?
Chimney rebuilds are necessary when the exterior chimney is beyond repair. Take a look at the pictures included. When there’s a pile of bricks that doesn’t even look like a chimney, that will be a chimney rebuild. If you see large holes or gaps in the structure, that will also be a chimney rebuild. But sometimes when you look at the chimney and you say, “the top is bad, but how about the bottom part of the chimney” as you see in the picture, that will need an evaluation. That will be the difference between a chimney rebuild and a partial chimney rebuild.
Other Structural Mishaps that are Hard to Tell
Take a walk around your neighborhood and look at the various chimney conditions. Do you see a chimney that is leaning to one side? If it is no longer standing straight and tall, this may need a complete chimney rebuild or maybe a partial rebuild. The best way to know, is to have a certified chimney technician evaluate the structure to determine if some of the chimney can be saved.
Another case is when there are large visible cracks in the bricks of the chimney. The cracks can be very big, as in the picture, or maybe not as wide but the structure has been like this for a longer period of time. Again, it is one of those situations where the professional masonry technician will need to evaluate the integrity of the structure. Can any of it be saved or does it require a complete rebuild of the chimney.
What is a Partial Rebuild?
A partial chimney rebuild means that not every part of the chimney will need to be torn down and replaced. As in the cases stated above, if the chimney shows damage, beyond repair, in some parts but not in others, then the masonry professional will only replace the part that needs to be rebuilt and keep the rest in place.
The masonry professional will also assess the metal parts of the chimney, evaluating if it has been rusted out and needs to be replaced. For a full determination of the extent of the damage, an inspection to the chimney will help in the process.
Avoiding Damage in the Future
Prevent chimney rebuilds moving forward by scheduling an annual chimney inspection. If you use your fireplace more often, then a more frequent inspection might be in order. This will help to identify problems before they get out of hand and the cost of repairs increase. But once you do get the chimney repaired or rebuilt, it is recommended to get a chimney waterproofing solution applied or sprayed onto the chimney. Superior Chimney uses Chimney Saver, which lasts for years. It repels water keeping it out of the mortar and bricks which are porous materials and can absorb water. This process can speed up the deterioration process causing repairs to creep up again, especially in the freeze and thaw cycles of winter! Now that you’re back from your walk around the neighborhood, give us a call and let’s get that chimney inspected!
This post first appeared on https://www.superiorchimney.net
