Chimney Repair Charleston SC is a major safety concern, especially if it’s cracked. It is a fire hazard and allows smoke and toxic gases such as carbon monoxide to leak into your home.
Chimney cracks should be repaired promptly, but it’s not a do-it-yourself job. Specialized tools and a safe working environment are required; a professional can save you from costly damage.
The chimney crown is the concrete top of the chimney that surrounds the flue tile inside. When well constructed and made of quality materials, the crown will provide a watertight seal that protects the chimney from rain, snow, wind, temperature changes and even salt air if you live close to the coast. If the chimney crown is cracked or deteriorating it is likely time for a repair.
When the chimney crown is poured, it is designed with sloped sides that direct rainwater away from the brick and mortar of the chimney. However, if the mortar and concrete dries and cracks over time, it allows water to seep into the chimney, causing damage and creating a hazard for your home.
A chimney crown that is leaking can be repaired with a waterproofing product called a chimney crown sealer. Applied to the cracked surface, the sealer forms a flexible waterproof shield that keeps water from entering the chimney and damaging it. This is a relatively inexpensive repair that should be part of your routine chimney maintenance and can prevent costly repairs down the road.
Chimney crowns can also be repaired with a process called tuckpointing. This involves replacing the old and crumbling mortar with fresh mortar that is bonded to the existing brick. The process is relatively simple and can be done by a skilled homeowner if they are comfortable accessing the chimney safely.
If your chimney has a leak, it’s essential to have it repaired by professionals as soon as possible. If not, water can damage your roof, ceiling, walls, and other parts of the house.
Chimney leaks are often caused by cracks and holes in the mortar joints. These can be caused by deterioration of the brick, weather, and other factors. A professional chimney repair company can repair these areas of the chimney as needed to prevent further damage.
Leaks around the chimney can also be caused by gaps or cracks in the metal flashing that joins the roof and the chimney. If this is the case, a simple fix could be to apply roofing cement to the gap to seal it.
Over time, the metal flashing can pull away from the chimney if it is not well sealed or secured. In addition to replacing the flashing, it’s a good idea to add some caulking around the chimney. This can be done with silicone, which is much easier to spread than traditional window or bath caulking.
Another common cause of leaks is damage to the flue pipes, which can occur when they are iced over during the winter. These pipes can be very expensive to replace, so it is important to have them checked before a problem occurs. The crown – the concrete slab on top of the chimney – can also break down, which is a major problem that requires professional attention.
The chimney crown protects the top of your flue from precipitation, and it needs to be in good condition to do its job. A deteriorated crown can let water and moisture in, which will wreak havoc by destroying your flue lining, dampening walls and ceilings near the chimney, and leading to costly structural damage. Fortunately, your chimney professional can inspect the crown and find early signs of damage before any serious problems develop.
One of the most common signs of a chimney crown that needs repair is visible cracks in the concrete. These cracks are caused by the freeze-thaw cycle, where water infiltrates and ruins the cement surface. When the chimney is exposed to extreme heat and cold, this deterioration accelerates.
If the cracks in the chimney crown aren’t very large, a waterproof sealant may be enough to keep the water out of your home. However, if the cracks are more severe or you notice a gap between the chimney flue and the chimney crown, the only reliable way to fix this problem is to rebuild the chimney crown.
Chimney crowns that are badly damaged need to be rebuilt with a special patch cement mixture that is reinforced with wire mesh and concrete. The crown must be completely covered with a waterproof sealant afterward to ensure it stays protected from moisture and debris. If the chimney crown is in extremely poor condition and has many significant cracks or missing chunks, it will need to be rebuilt entirely by a skilled mason.
One of the leading causes of chimney damage is a cracked chimney liner. Without a chimney liner, acidic combustion byproducts corrode the masonry of the chimney, and this deterioration can lead to a collapsed chimney. A damaged liner can also allow dangerous gases to leak into the home, including carbon monoxide. This odorless, tasteless gas is difficult to detect and can be fatal in large doses. A chimney liner prevents this by separating the combustion gases from the living space of the home.
Chimney liners are usually made of clay tiles or metal. Clay tiles are cheap and durable, but they eventually deteriorate over time due to exposure to heat and moisture. When the mortar between the tiles deteriorates, they can crack, leaving the flue open to moisture and other hazards.
Masonry deteriorates at a faster rate when the chimney is exposed to intense heat, and this deterioration can create gaps that can let harmful gases into the home. In addition, a gap in the chimney wall can lead to an uncontrolled fire that can spread quickly and threaten the entire structure of the house.
A metal chimney liner is a safer alternative to a clay tile chimney, but it can cost significantly more than a traditional chimney. Metal chimney liners are made of stainless steel or aluminum to form a sleeve that fits inside the chimney flue. Stainless steel is suitable for all fuel types, while aluminum chimney liners are only appropriate for certain types of gas fireplaces.
Your chimney includes several key components that work together to keep your home safe, comfortable and efficient. There’s the chimney cap, which keeps animals and debris out of your home. The masonry, which is the visible brick-and-mortar most people associate with chimneys. And there’s the damper, which controls air flow in and out of your fireplace. However, there’s one less-seen component of your chimney that’s just as vital: the chimney flue.
When the flue tiles crack, smoke and gases aren’t able to escape the chimney as safely. This can lead to carbon monoxide leaks into your home. Additionally, cracked tiles can break off, known as spalling, into your fireplace. This can cause combustible creosote to build up inside your chimney and ignite, creating a fire hazard.
The clay tile flue liners most commonly found in homes are susceptible to cracking and deterioration from exposure to high temperatures and moisture changes. This is why it’s recommended to install a metal or cast-in-place chimney liner instead of clay tiles when building a new home. Chimney liners are a more durable and long-lasting solution for your chimney. If your chimney flue tiles are damaged, they can be repaired in a few different ways, including sealing, repointing or relining. Sealing involves applying a liquid that fills gaps and cracks in the chimney flue tiles. This is a temporary solution and should only be done when a professional inspects your chimney and determines the extent of the damage.
A chimney cap’s primary function is to keep rain and debris from entering the chimney flue, but it also helps protect your home from downdrafts on windy days. In addition, a cap’s mesh section prevents leaves, twigs and pesky animals from getting inside the chimney to block the flow of smoke and embers.
If you see that your chimney cap is missing, rusting or otherwise damaged, it’s time for a replacement. A new, properly installed chimney cap will keep rain, animals and debris from entering your fireplace and home.
Even if your chimney cap appears intact, the constant exposure to harsh weather conditions could cause it to loosen or blow off of your chimney crown. This is especially true if the cap was installed incorrectly in the first place.
One of the biggest reasons for a leaking chimney is when water enters through the mortar joints. A gap in the mortar can allow water to flow down the walls and deteriorate brickwork and metal components in the flue, causing costly repairs.
If you notice cracks in the mortar, you can repair them with tuckpointing. This process involves replacing the old, deteriorated mortar with fresh mortar. If you have experience working with mortar, this is an easy task that you can do yourself using a masonry hammer and a raking tool. If you are unsure how to do this work, it’s best to hire a professional.