...Chimney repair...
Chimney Building & Repair
Call JC Chimney Repair for an estimate on minor or major chimney repair work whether it's replacing the top of your chimney or even a complete chimney rebuild. We are the experts.
Firebox Repair
The firebox is the bricked in area where you build your fire. Any loose bricks and degraded mortar should be repaired.
Mortar Repair
The concrete surface at the top of your chimney that keeps water out of your flue is the crown. A cracked or broken mortar crown should be repaired immediately to avoid serious water damage.
Damper Repair
A damper closes the flue when you aren't using the fireplace so heat doesn't escape.
Flue Repair
The part of the chimney that funnels exhaust to the outside is the flue...if it cracks, breaks, or is blocked by debris or creosote build up, it is a safety hazard that needs to be repaired.
Besides being cleaned and inspected each year, your chimney will need occasional brick repairs to ensure that it is performing properly.
Outside Chimney Observations:
- Chimney movement: leaning, settling, bending, breaking, cracks, separation from the building, bad footing;
- Chimney height: too short, inadequate clearance above roof;
- Chimney height too tall without bracing;
- Chimney exterior cracked, spalled, loose masonry components (bricks, blocks) or loose, missing mortar
- Chimney leaks: water leaking into the chimney interior or structure, such as efflorescence, frost cracking, spalling
- Chimney cap missing, chimney cap not draining; wrong type of cap for flue type or items being vented
- Chimney crown cracked, damaged, missing, leaking, or not properly sloped to drain off of the chimney top; no drip edge over chimney sides
- Chimney crown (or cap in some parlance) missing capillary break between top crown and masonry chimney body (frost damage)
- Chimney flues, multiple, terminating at same height at chimney top - masonry chimneys
- Chimney flues, multiple, terminating adjacent to one another at different heights - metal chimneys & flues
- Chimney flue extender of metal, rusted, leaky, damaged
- Chimney flue incomplete, not extending through entire chimney height
- Chimney flues cracked, broken, spalled clay flue tile liners visible at chimney top or inside the flue
- Chimney flue improperly constructed - masonry flue, concrete omitted or concrete extending into the flue between masonry tiles; expansion space not left between clay liner and masonry chimney
- Blocked flue, visible from chimney top: insect nests, birds nests, rodents, leaves, debris, falling masonry fragments, bricks, stones
- Creosote or soot build-up: need cleaning, fire hazard, indications of improper oil-fired heating system operation
- Chimney side damage from water, frost, other
- Chimney flashing improperly installed, missing, missing counter flashing, holes, leaks
- Metal flue not rated for application - wrong flue type
- Metal flue sections loose
- Metal flue sections connected in wrong order (water leaks)
Mortar chimney caps are sometimes vulnerable to cracks along the joints because the mortar shrinks, causing the joints to open. Lime-based mortar decays over time and may crumble. Minor cracks and the joint between the flue and the cap can be sealed with masonry caulking compound.