Moisture and water are chimney’s worst enemies. They’re detrimental to a chimney’s structural integrity. Therefore, a rusted damper and fireplace are signs of trouble and an imminent need for a professional to repair them.

As previously mentioned, water and moisture are dangerous to your chimney. This is why it is important to defend against chimney leaks. Chimney leaks can be caused by cracks in the crown, missing or defective chimney caps, ineffective flashing system, or word-down mortar. Chimney leaks through the flashing, the water can cause significant damage to the wood structures in the home.

If the chimney cap is old or deteriorated, then water will seep through the cracks causing havoc in the flue liners and the structure of the home.

Damaged mortar joints are sure signs that the chimney needs urgent repair. If not replaced as soon as possible, the broken mortar will become exposed to high moisture levels putting the chimney at risk of collapse. Damaged mortar is a nuisance during the winter since the failing mortar joints are highly vulnerable to moisture penetration.

Any moisture will freeze inside the bricks and mortar, during the summer, the ice will thaw causing larger cracks in the process. The best defense is to ensure the brick and mortar are safe before winter strikes through a pre-winter inspection. This will lower the need for difficult and costly repairs during winter.

The flue liner is the engine of the chimney. It keeps the chimney working by channeling out heat from the firebox, smoke, and gases out of the home. If the traditional liner is made of clay, you may find pieces of broken clay tiles piling up inside the firebox.

Our professional chimney sweeps will examine the condition of the chimney liner during the annual inspections. Because chimney liners tend to be costly to replace, make sure yours has a lifetime warranty.

Another sign is spalling. Spalling is bits of concrete, bricks, or stones around the bottom of the chimney. Simply means that your chimney is falling apart piece by piece. Contact a chimney expert immediately or risk having the chimney tumble to the ground.

The expert will remove all damaged bricks or stones and repair the damaged parts with a fresh mortar and new bricks or stones. To ensure the bricks and mortar do not fall victim to moisture, they will add waterproof sealant.

In the case of severe damages, the chimney may need to be replaced entirely. This is often a necessity when the chimney has deteriorated to the point there is a structural liability for the home. A leaning chimney can only be solved through a complete rebuild and replacement to avoid a collapse since the base is not stable enough to support the structure.

Allstar is here to help. Our more than qualified and highly skilled technicians are here to bring a sense of clarity knowing your home is safer with annual inspections and needed repairs.