Essential Chimney Repairs Homeowners May Need To Oversee
Despite the fact that chimneys are designed to be extremely durable, there are still a host of issues that they can encounter over the years. This means that a homeowner will need to be adequately prepared for what will be involved with the repair process.
Damage From Falling Tree Branches
Falling tree branches can be a source of major damage to a chimney. The force of these branches striking the chimney can cause sections or even the entire chimney to collapse. Even in situations where the chimney may appear to be visibly fine from the ground, it is still necessary to have it inspected by a repair contractor after an impact from a falling branch occurs. Having these inspections done can ensure that small damage that may be difficult to notice without an up-close inspection can be found. An example of this type of damage could be cracks in the brick and mortar. Patching these cracks when they are still new can minimize the chance of them spreading and compromising the integrity of the rest of the chimney.
The Brick And Mortar Degrading
The chimney will be exposed to harsh conditions, and this can lead to the brick and mortar starting to degrade. As a result, the chimney will occasionally need to undergo repairs. Tuckpointing is an effective option for repairing the deterioration that can occur to the mortar in the chimney. If the degraded mortar is not replaced, it can weaken the chimney enough to cause it to become unstable and a potential safety hazard. While tuckpointing can be a fairly major repair for a chimney, it is an extremely cost-effective option for this type of masonry restoration need.
Heat Damage
Homeowners may assume that heat damage will not be a significant problem for their chimney. Yet, it is possible for intense heat to eventually cause the interior lining of the chimney to crack. Once this component has cracked, toxic fumes can seep from the chimney into the living areas of the house. Individuals that do not have their chimneys cleaned at regular intervals can find that this problem is more likely to occur for them. This is due to the ability of residues in the chimney to ignite. While this fire may burn itself out fairly quickly, it can expose the liner to extreme heat that could cause cracks. After the chimney has been cleaned, a thorough inspection of the interior of the chimney can allow you to determine whether the liner will need to be replaced in the near future.
Contact a professional for more information about masonry chimney repair.
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