You might take your home’s structural integrity for granted—until a problem arises. There’s no point in ignoring warning signs: You’re going to have to deal with the damage to your chimney at some point. This is especially true if you’re planning on heading to Florida for the winter. You want to deal with that before you hit the road.
Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to know when you need to repair your chimney.
Damage to mortar joints
Mortar joints in between the chimney masonry is a problem that needs to be repaired quickly. Unfortunately, this requires a rooftop-viewing point to spot. Failing to fix mortar joints is likely to lead to accelerated damage to the chimney, as the exposed brick will absorb additional moisture. Once water gets into those small cracks, it’s liable to freeze and create larger cracks. If it’s not addressed soon, this could lead to chimney collapse.
Efflorescence
White staining on a chimney is referred to as efflorescence. This means that there are deposits of salt found on brick, concrete or natural stone. Efflorescence is a signal that there’s a moisture issue. A small amount is no big deal, but larger deposits are reason for concern. This is often linked to a broken flue liner or loose flashing. Left untreated, efflorescence can result in mortar deterioration. Have a certified chimney expert check out this problem before it’s too late.
Rust
Rust is liable to destroy a chimney over time if it’s not treated. This is just one reason you should have your chimney inspected at least once a year. This involves checking out the flashing, chimney cap, firebox, damper and flue. Many people don’t realize that there’s a rust problem until something no longer works, such as a damper sealing improperly. At any sign of an oxidation issue, call in the chimney experts to take a look.
Flaking tile or ceramic in fireplace
If you’re seeing flakes of tile or ceramic piling up in the fireplace, this is a sign of shaling. Using a fireplace with a shaling flue liner could lead to a house fire, as the flue liner is intended to protect the walls, ceiling, floors and roof from catching fire by stray sparks. When you notice any signs of shaling, call in the pros to take a look.
Damage to chimney crown
Any cracks in the mortar surrounding the chimney crown is cause for action. Damage to the chimney crown can be the root cause of other issues, as water damage is a leading threat to a chimney. If this issue isn’t addressed, water will continue to thaw and freeze in the cracks, creating additional damage and allowing moisture to seep into the masonry.
We hope you now have a better idea of how to tell if you need to repair your chimney. Do you need experts in roof repair? Winter Springs Roofing & Repair has been the region’s leader for more than three decades. We do it all from redesign to restoration to chimneys and skylights. Call us today to find out more.