Oconomowoc Lake Chimney Repairs Needed? It’s Not Hard to Find the Symptoms

Evidence that a Oconomowoc Lake home’s chimney requires repairs isn’t hard to find.

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 – coating your Oconomowoc Lake chimney’s exterior.

Inside a house, staining or efflorescence inside the fireplace is a warning, too.

Each indicator 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 Oconomowoc Lake.

The underlying source in almost every chimney problem is water. Often the culprit 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 ensue once moisture has direct contact with masonry.

Gaps in a chimney – from missing bricks, or failed mortar joints – are major red flags. Oconomowoc Lake rains can directly get 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, putting in a stainless steel chimney liner generally 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’ standard five-year warranty, guaranteeing a decade of protection from the elements.

If the source of water leakage is a damaged chimney crown, two options are available. 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 restoration, a full or partial rebuild is in order. A masonry project takes three to five days; for appliance chimneys, usually one day. You and your Oconomowoc Lake 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 uses a 2-inch overhang to keep water off the new chimney below. Your new chimney is as beautiful as it is functional!

If you notice indicators of a deteriorating chimney, what’s the problem … and the remedy? Only inspection by a qualified chimney company can tell. Time, though, is of the essence – contact Butler Chimneys before more (or worse) symptoms show up!