Chimney Upkeep
While your homeowner’s insurance may cover damage caused by severe weather events and chimney fires, basic wear and tear like a leaky chimney stack isn’t covered. Luckily, this type of repair is preventable with regular inspections and proper maintenance.
Chimneys are exposed to many different elements year-round, but water is a major issue. Moisture causes deterioration and cracking of the brick, leading to leaks in your home.
Smoke and Creosote
As wood burns it emits smoke, tar and unburned particles that combine with water vapor to form creosote. This is the thick sticky substance that lines your chimney flue. Over time the creosote can build up to dangerous levels. This is why it’s so important to get your chimney cleaned regularly.
Creosote can impact your health in more ways than one. It’s not just the toxins that are released into the air, but the debris itself can also cause issues.
The creosote can irritate your lungs and lead to breathing problems. It can aggravate existing respiratory conditions like asthma. It can also irritate your skin and eyes. This can lead to rashes or even skin lesions.
When creosote buildup interferes with the flow of smoke out of your chimney it can block toxic gases from exiting your home and increase your risk for a chimney fire. Creosote is flammable and can easily spread to the roof or other sections of your home.
Keeping your chimney clean can remove the first stage of creosote which is usually a thin layer of flakes. However, if you fail to clean your chimney regularly it can move into the second stage which has more of a tar-like appearance and is harder to remove. More specialized tools are required to remove this type of creosote.
Water Leaks
A leaky chimney can lead to water damage within your home. Over time, the leaking water can affect your walls, flooring and even your possessions. Leaks can happen for a number of reasons such as no chimney cap, crown cracks or deterioration, mortar joint deterioration, foundation problems, shoulder slab gaps, flashing issues and more.
Chimneys stick out above your roof, so they are constantly exposed to rain, sleet, snow and the freeze-thaw cycles of winter. The masonry material is also porous by nature, so it naturally absorbs water. When this water gets trapped inside the masonry materials, it can cause bricks to decay or collapse.
These weakened areas are called spalling, and they can eventually allow water to escape through the brick and into your home. Water entering the chimney can also cause serious structural damage, as well as leak into your drywall and ceilings.
Often, a chimney leak is the result of damaged flashing. The flashing is a metal strip that covers the gap between your chimney and rooftop, and it helps to create an airtight seal. Over time, flashing can rust or be bent by extreme weather and other factors, and this can leave it vulnerable to water.
If the flashing becomes faulty, water can leak into the gap and into your home. The simplest way to spot this is by looking for signs of water stains or drips on the ceiling above your fireplace.
Fires
Over time, soot particles build up on the walls of your chimney, forming deposits known as creosote. A dark brown or black flammable tar, creosote is a fire hazard that can clog your chimney and prevent smoke from exiting your home, causing dangerous chimney fires.
In addition, creosote can cause other problems, such as structural damage to the chimney and leaks into your home.
If your chimney leaks, water can damage masonry work in your chimney, such as the mortar joints. Moisture can also lead to deterioration of the brick, which can cause a chimney collapse. In addition, a chimney leak can allow hazardous gases, such as carbon monoxide, to seep into your home.
The best way to avoid a chimney fire is by having a dependable chimney system, such as a stainless steel liner and a quality chimney cap. A chimney cap can keep rain, leaves, branches, animals and other debris from entering your chimney. It can also protect your fireplace from sparks, which can cause chimney fires and other hazards.
A well-maintained chimney can help your home maintain its value and increase its energy efficiency. Chimney maintenance is a relatively easy process, although you may need to hire a mason to repair or replace parts of the chimney, such as damaged bricks or deteriorated mortar joints.
You can repair minor damage, such as cracks or discolouration of the brick, by cleaning the area and applying new mortar with a trowel. If you need to replace more substantial components, such as bricks or deteriorated mortar joints, it’s important to hire a mason to ensure that the new mortar is compatible with your chimney’s construction.
Mold
Moisture is a crucial ingredient to mold growth, and a chimney can be the perfect environment for it to thrive. A chimney can leak moisture through cracks in the brick and mortar joints, a damaged crown, or a missing or deteriorating chimney cover.
Chimney leaks can also occur through the chimney flashing, which seals the gap between your home’s roof and the top of the chimney.
If moisture is allowed to seep into your chimney, it can erode the structure and cause major problems for your home. This can include a musty smell and dark spots on the fireplace walls or the chimney itself.
If a chimney is infested with mold, it can affect indoor air quality and even lead to respiratory problems for those who live inside the home.
Chimney leaks and the associated damage from mold can be costly to repair. Luckily, most homeowners insurance policies cover the cost of repairing a leaky chimney.
Stone & Brick Masonry Group can help you with any questions you may have in regards to repairing the integrity of your chimney. Call us today for more info!
