What to do when you chimney brick is damaged

If your chimney brick has been damaged, you can repair it yourself using a variety of methods. This article will discuss tuckpointing, repointing, and sealing cracks in the mortar joints. Read on for more information. This article is intended for homeowners who are not handy with tools. The information is meant to be informative rather than comprehensive. The information is not intended to be used as a substitute for professional assistance.

Repairing a damaged chimney brick

There are many options for repairing a damaged chimney brick, and the right choice will depend on the type of damage and the location of the problem. The most common chimney brick problems are visible bricks, mortar joints, and an inadequate chimney cap or crown. Other problems may be more serious, including water penetration or cracked bricks. If you discover a damaged chimney brick, you should consult a professional. Repairing a damaged chimney brick is a relatively straightforward process, and it's far cheaper than the cost of dealing with a collapsed chimney.

Repointing

If you notice that your chimney bricks have become cracked and/or damaged, you should consider repointing them. Repointing chimney bricks involves the reapplication of mortar to the exposed bricks. Using an engineer's or drilling hammer, apply the new mortar to the bricks, making sure not to damage the brick face. Remove the mortar from the area around the damaged brick, leaving a clean surface for the new joint to bond to. This will restore the structure to its former strength.

Tuckpointing

Tuckpointing is an excellent way to repair broken mortar joints on chimney brick. Allowing the mortar joints to deteriorate can result in a collapse of the chimney, which is much more expensive than repairing the problem. Essentially, tuckpointing involves routing out the old mortar and filling in the joints with new red mortar. Then, the contractor will use a tuck-pointing trowl to remove the loose chunks of mortar and fill the grooves with a matching color. This will ensure that the joints are fully protected against corrosion.

Sealing cracks in mortar joints

First, determine the depth of the cracks. Then, scrape the mortar with a carbide-tipped grout saw, which will work well on "butter joints" of less than 1/4 inch in width. For wider joints, an engineer's hammer or cold chisel will do. To make the job easier, an electric angle grinder can also be used to cut into the brick.

Cleaning gaps between chimney flue and crown

If you have a damaged chimney, it might be time to think about a replacement. Chimneys have crowns, or caps, that cover the top of the chimney. A properly designed crown has a slope of about three inches per foot of chimney length, and it extends about two and a half inches over the chimney wall. Water can seep into these spaces and damage the chimney brick.

Getting your chimney inspected

A Level 2 chimney inspection is an essential part of a quality home inspection. This inspection is performed before you sell your house or transfer ownership of the property. Newly purchased homes may not have had a chimney inspection in the past, leaving them filled with soot and creosote. They may also have hidden damage. Getting your chimney inspected is essential because it will help prevent a chimney fire, as well as identify any problems with the structure. Your insurance company may not cover chimney fires, and having a chimney inspection performed can protect you against a potential insurance claim.