Cedarburg Chimney Repairs Required? It’s Not Difficult to Spot the Warnings
Evidence that a Cedarburg home’s chimney needs repairs isn’t hard to spot.
Bricks, or chips from bricks, on the ground next to the chimney. Discoloration of remaining bricks in the structure. Visible gaps between bricks. Efflorescence – a white, chalky powder – coating your Cedarburg chimney’s exterior.
Inside a house, discoloration or efflorescence inside the fireplace is a red flag, too.
Each sign might have a different source. Waiting to act isn’t smart, though. Complications can quickly worsen. The initial step is a chimney and fireplace inspection by Butler Chimneys, the top chimney sweep company in Cedarburg.
The common factor in almost every chimney issue is water. Often the culprit is cracked or damaged flue tiles inside the chimney, which allow moisture to escape into the chimney cavity. If a water heater vents into the chimney, the situation 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. Cedarburg rains can directly penetrate inside the chimney cavity, making a bad situation far worse.
The initial step is to address root causes. If flue tiles have lost their structural integrity, installing 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 required. 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 damaged chimney crown, two options exist. A stainless steel chimney cap can be mounted atop the crown, creating an “umbrella” above the chimney. Or, if the crown is too weakened, a new one is poured.
If a chimney is beyond saving, 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 Cedarburg neighbors can expect scaffolding to be put up, or a temporary rooftop construction station built.
The chimney is rebuilt 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 beneath. Your new chimney is as attractive as it is functional!
If you notice indicators of a failing chimney, what’s the issue … and the fix? Only inspection by a qualified chimney company can find the answers. Time, though, is of the essence – contact Butler Chimneys before more (or worse) symptoms appear!