Why Chimney Repair Is Important And How To Do It

Repairing your chimney is often best left to the professionals. If you try to repair a chimney with mortar you are almost guaranteeing that you will make some serious repairs and may cost you more money in the end. Also, if you get caught on your own and make a mistake then you are in danger of being fined and even jail time. However, many homeowners do not know what causes chimney brick cracking and how to repair it safely. The main thing to remember when attempting to repair your chimney is that you should hire a professional mason to get the job done properly. You may not know a lot about mortar but you definitely know nothing about chimney bricks!

What is chimney mortar?

Mortar can come in the form of gypsum, a flexible rubber like material that can be mixed with water or other materials. This ingredient is what causes your chimney to creak as it functions. When a creosote problem arises it’s usually caused by too much water being trapped in the creosote. It will also create pockets and spaces where the smoke from burning fuel can get trapped. The creosote and pockets will eventually get larger and bigger until they reach the point where the mortar completely blocks the flow of gas and smoke up and out of the chimney.

should you do your own chimney repair?

Before I get into the long description of what causes chimney fires why would anyone need to know the proper way to handle mortar? Most people who attempt to repair their chimney on their own are doing so because they have been burned before or don’t know what they are doing. Either way this is not a safe way to repair your chimney. Having a professional like Pro Home apply the correct type of mortar for your chimney will prevent a serious problem from occurring and could save your home.

what is chimney chasing?

Another type of chimney problem that can arise from leaks is called chimney chasing. This occurs when a homeowner tries to remedy a small leak they notice around the fireplace opening. In all actuality the homeowner is chasing the smoke up and away from the house instead of sealing off the chimney flue to prevent the smoke from getting into your house. This is a very dangerous situation that can cause injuries and even death if the right steps are not taken quickly. If a homeowner does not know how to properly fix a small leak, then they should call in a professional chimney cleaning company to do it for them.

the dangers of creosote

If you see any sign of creosote it’s time to take it serious. A creosote spot can expand and become black as it burns. The black color of creosote indicates that the area has been occupied by human urine for quite some time. This scenario will continue unless the hole in the chimney is sealed off with a dryer vent. A chimney cleaner will be able to come out and inspect your chimney to determine if it needs repairing or if a home chimney cleaning service needs to be called in.

Chimney flue leaks

If a chimney flue or fireplace opening appears to be leaking, then you should make sure that there are no creosote spots on the bricks surrounding the flue. This is an area that will easily get damaged if left unnoticed. The inspector will take out a flashlight to inspect the bricks and if he or she sees creosote he or she will recommend to the homeowner to use a chimney cap. The chimney caps are made out of stainless steel and they are placed over the mortar joints so that no moisture will enter inside the chimney flue.

hire a local Moriches chimney sweep

A chimney brush is also an important part of the process when it comes to chimney cleaning. It’s best to have a professional chimney sweep company remove the dirt and mortar along with the creosote and dried mortar. The short description of the broom itself is that it consists of a brush that is approximately one meter in length and it’s used to scrub the bricks away. The long description of the broom is that it’s made out of fiberglass and it uses high pressure air to blow all the hard debris away from your house.

When it comes to chimney repairs, chimney brick sealing, chimney cleaning and chimney caps, a chimney sweep company should always be contacted. There is a lot of debris that can get into your house and if you don’t have a professional company working on your chimney repairs then you might end up with very dangerous materials inside your house. You should also make sure that your chimney is clean before you light a fire in your fireplace. Otherwise, you can set yourself up for a horrible accident. If this seems like a lot, and right fully so, just give us a call. We would be happy to help!