Mukwonago Chimney Repairs Required? It’s Not Hard to Find the Warnings
Evidence that a Mukwonago home’s chimney needs repairs isn’t hard to identify.
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 – lining your Mukwonago chimney’s exterior.
Inside a house, discoloration or efflorescence inside the fireplace is a red flag, too.
Each sign might have a different cause. Hesitating to act isn’t recommended, though. Complications can quickly worsen. The first step is a chimney and fireplace inspection by Butler Chimneys, the top chimney sweep company in Mukwonago.
The common factor in nearly every chimney problem is water. Often the culprit is cracked or damaged flue tiles inside the chimney, which permit moisture to seep into the chimney cavity. If a water heater vents into the chimney, the issue can be far worse. Either way, problems begin when moisture has direct contact with masonry.
Gaps in a chimney – from missing bricks, or failed mortar joints – are major warnings. Mukwonago rains can directly leak inside the chimney cavity, making a bad situation far worse.
The first step is to confront root causes. If flue tiles have lost their structural integrity, installing a stainless steel chimney liner generally stops internal moisture problems. The damage to the chimney remains, though.
Tuckpointing - grinding out and replacing deteriorated mortar – is occasionally all that’s needed. Adding optional ChimneySaver water repellent tacks five years onto Butler Chimneys’ standard five-year warranty, guaranteeing a decade of protection from the elements.
If the source of water leakage is a cracked 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 deteriorated, a new one is poured.
If a chimney is beyond recovery, a full or partial rebuild is in line. A masonry project runs three to five days; for appliance chimneys, usually one day. You and your Mukwonago 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 uses a 2-inch overhang to keep water off the new chimney below. 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!