West Allis Chimney Repairs Needed? It’s Not Hard to Identify the Symptoms

Evidence that a West Allis home’s chimney needs repairs isn’t difficult to identify.

Bricks, or chips from bricks, on the ground next to the chimney. Staining of remaining bricks in the structure. Visible gaps between bricks. Efflorescence – a white, chalky powder – lining your West Allis chimney’s exterior.

Inside the home, discoloration or efflorescence inside the fireplace is a red flag, too.

Each indicator might have a different cause. Waiting to act isn’t advisable, though. Problems can quickly worsen. The initial step is a chimney and fireplace inspection by Butler Chimneys, the top chimney sweep company in West Allis.

The underlying reason in almost every chimney problem is water. Often the cause is cracked or damaged flue tiles inside the chimney, which permit moisture to enter into the chimney cavity. If a water heater vents into the chimney, the issue can be far worse. Either way, problems begin once moisture has direct contact with masonry.

Gaps in a chimney – from missing bricks, or failed mortar joints – are serious red flags. West Allis rains can directly penetrate inside the chimney cavity, making a bad situation far worse.

The initial step is to confront root causes. If flue tiles have lost their structural integrity, putting in a stainless steel chimney liner typically stops internal moisture issues. The harm to the chimney remains, though.

Tuckpointing - grinding out and replacing deteriorated mortar – is sometimes all that’s needed. Adding optional ChimneySaver water repellent tacks five years onto Butler Chimneys’ normal five-year warranty, guaranteeing a decade of protection from the elements.

If the source of water leakage is a cracked chimney crown, two options are available. A stainless steel chimney cap can be mounted atop the crown, forming an “umbrella” over the chimney. Or, if the crown is too deteriorated, a new one is poured.

If a chimney is beyond recovery, a full or partial rebuild is in order. A masonry project runs three to five days; for appliance chimneys, usually one day. You and your West Allis neighbors can expect scaffolding to be erected, or a temporary rooftop construction station built.

The chimney is reconstructed with fresh bricks and new mortar to building code height. Butler Chimneys works to match colors of new bricks to originals; bricks can be stained, if needed.

A new 5-inch-thick concrete crown is poured on top. The crown employs a 2-inch overhang to keep water off the new chimney below. Your new chimney is as attractive as it is functional!

If you detect symptoms of a failing chimney, what’s the issue … and the fix? Only inspection by a qualified chimney company can tell. Time, though, is of the essence – contact Butler Chimneys before additional (or worse) symptoms appear!