There are several signs that your chimney needs restoration. These include creosote buildup, cracking mortar joints, and stained brick. Ostensibly, these are all warning signs that you should contact a chimney sweep to inspect it for potential damage.
Here, we’ve listed some of the common signs that indicate your chimney may need some care.
Creosote Buildup
Creosote is one of the byproducts created by burning wood in your fireplace or woodstove. When it’s left to accumulate, it can especially damage the metal components of your stove or fireplace and possibly cause a chimney fire. A buildup of creosote inside your chimney might be an indication that you’re burning wood with high moisture content. If you’re not sure if the buildup is severe or not, you can use a wire brush to scrape off any loose creosote.
Cracking Mortar Joints Over Time
Cracking mortar joints are often an indicator that your chimney may need restoration. The cause of the cracking is typically due to the weight of the bricks, which can cause stress cracks in your chimney. The stress cracks make it easier for water to seep through them and potentially cause severe damage.
Stained Brick
A stained brick chimney could be an indicator that you’ve got a drainage problem. This can cause a significant amount of water damage to your home and the chimney as well. To determine if you have a drainage problem, look down the chimney from atop your roof. If you can’t see any water stains on the bricks, then it might be safe to assume that they are from natural weathering and not a serious problem.
Loose or Missing Tiles
Loose or missing tiles around your fireplace opening could indicate that your chimney hasn’t been properly cared for. It can also be an indication that your chimney is broken or damaged in some other manner. If you’ve tried cleaning the tiles and there’s still no change, then it’s time to call a professional chimney inspector.
Paint Stains
When it comes to painting staining, if you notice any signs of wear or tears around the opening of your chimney, this is another good indicator that you need to repair it promptly. There isn’t much that can be done at this point aside from removing or covering up any existing paint staining.
At CT Chimney Repair, our team offers quality chimney restoration and repair services. We offer a full range of chimney services, including chimney inspection, chimney liner installation, chimney restoration, chimney repair and restoration, chimney damper installation, fireplace installation and remodeling, and much more.
Learn more about our services here.
