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Masonry Repair Questions

Spring is upon us, which means now is the ideal time to focus on any needed repairs in your masonry. If you have been trying to schedule this type of work throughout the winter and are finding little success in doing so, it is likely because masonry fixes in cold weather often do not turn out well. Learn more about this and other common questions associated with masonry repairs below.

Why Wait Until Spring?

Many realize that springtime is ideal for masonry repairs, but few know why this is so. It has to do with allowing the masonry to cure once the mortar is applied. If the temperatures are too low, the mortar will likely freeze before it has set properly, meaning all the work that was done was for nothing. Once warmer weather has arrived, chimney professionals will be much more willing to come out and focus on any masonry work that you need completed.

How Can I Prevent Damage?

Waterproofing your masonry work will help immensely as far as ensuring that your chimney stays sturdy. When moisture enters the brickwork, it can cause a lot of damage throughout time. Brick absorbs moisture easily, and the freeze/thaw process will cause the chimney to eventually settle, leaving you facing an unsteady structure and a lot of potential damage. Moisture also causes rust, stains, and other forms of deterioration that will cause your chimney to crumble over time.

Do I Need A Chimney Cap?

When it comes to keeping your masonry protected, a chimney cap is a fairly inexpensive way to prevent further damage. It keeps rain out, prevents animals from entering, and minimizes the risk of excess debris building up and blocking up your chimney. Have a professional inspect your chimney and find the right chimney cap based upon your specific needs. By hiring an expert to install the chimney cap, you can rest assured that everything has been done properly and that your chimney and masonry will stay protected for years to come.

Should I Hire A Professional?

Many question whether or not hiring a chimney expert is worth the additional cost. When it comes down to it, hiring a professional is a better investment and will end up saving the homeowner a lot of money throughout time. Especially when it comes to masonry, if repairs and preventative treatments are not done correctly, the potential damage one faces will end up costing a lot more than simply hiring a professional in the first place. If a chimney is not properly protected, it will eventually deteriorate making it unsuitable for use. If left unaddressed for too long, it may collapse or tilt, meaning a lot of time and money will be spent on home repair. Give Olde Town Chimney Sweeps a call today and schedule an inspection. Our experts will clean and inspect your fireplace and offer sound advice as far as any necessary repairs. Do not hesitate as now is the ideal time for masonry repair.

Keep Out Animals With A Chimney Cap

A chimney cap is an important part of any chimney. When your chimney is exposed to excess moisture, a lot of deterioration can occur, decreasing your chimney’s lifespan and costing you a lot in repairs. Chimney caps work to keep bad weather and excess debris away from your chimney, thus protecting it for years to come.

While keeping rain and debris away is important, there is another huge advantage to owning a chimney cap that people often overlook – keeping out animals. While squirrels, birds, and other critters usually seem harmless enough, they can have a lot of negative impacts on your chimney’s overall health. Check out these chimney issues caused by wildlife.

Plugged Airways

Often times, especially during the winter, animals will try to build nests in various places throughout your chimney. If these places are used for venting you could end up experiencing a lot issues with circulation, causing smoke to back up into your home. If proper ventilation is not happening, your family could be exposed to harmful toxins and the fumes will likely soak into your walls and furniture, making them very hard to get rid of.

Unpleasant Odors

With animals come a wide variety of smells, most of which no one wants to welcome into their home. If an animal chooses to build their nest with something stinky or wants to store away a moldy treasure for later use, your chimney often becomes an ideal place to stash it. The smells then work their way down the chimney and into your home. There is also the case of an animal entering your chimney, then not being able to escape. When is eventually passes away, it stinks and attracts flies, maggots, and more nasty odors.

Unwanted Visitors

It is not uncommon for animals to try and make a home for themselves within your chimney. All too often, though, they soon discover the chimney leads to an even bigger home – yours. Eliminate the chances of a bird, raccoon, or squirrel entering your home by getting a chimney cap installed right away. Once these critters get in, getting them out safely is extremely difficult and often requires the help of a professional.

If you want your chimney cap to fight against the weather and keep these pesky creatures out, you will need to ensure you are getting the right product for your needs. An extra mesh lining will often do the trick, but it will depend on your specific chimney. Each home is different and you will want to purchase your product based on what will work best for your home and needs.

Hiring a certified expert to inspect your chimney and properly install a chimney cap based upon what you have is always the best option. Call Olde Town Chimney Sweeps today to ensure that your home is protected and your chimney is safe for use.