Pro Netting Solutions

What to Look for When Choosing a New Chimney

A chimney cover is the first line of defence in the battle to keep moisture out of a chimney; without one, snow, rain, and ice all fall directly into the chimney flue; if your chimney is unprotected, you must schedule a chimney inspection. 

There is a strong likelihood that water damage has happened in your chimney flue or on the outside brickwork if you do not have a chimney cover. It's conceivable that there has been enough harm done that a new chimney has to be installed entirely or in part.

Do you know how to detect whether your chimney needs to be replaced? That may seem like an odd question, especially given that these normally strong buildings may endure a century or more.

However, chimneys do need to be changed on occasion, and this is frequently due to issues involving water, a chimney's number one adversary. It is not always evident when a new chimney is required, and you may not know what to look for as a hint.

Signs That Your Chimney Needs Repair

Many people make the mistake of considering their chimney structure to be a worry-free component of their property. However, problems may arise, and a broken chimney should be repaired promptly since it offers a significant fire danger. Here are seven signs that your chimney needs to be serviced.

MAIN RISKS OF WORKING AT HEIGHT

White Staining

White discolouration on a chimney is called efflorescence. Although removing the stain is extremely simple, it does not deal with the moisture problem that causes the white residue. If efflorescence is not treated, the chimney will probably decay prematurely in addition to other moisture-related issues. Efflorescence is a blatant sign of excessive moisture in the brickwork.

Rust

Rust shouldn't be present on your firebox or damper, so if there is, there is too much moisture in your chimney. The damper may not have obvious signs of rust, but if it doesn't perform or seal effectively, it may be rusting. 

There may be substantial damage, such as split flue tiles if your chimney has enough moisture to show obvious symptoms of rusting. You must enlist the aid of a certified chimney sweep who can inspect the flue lining with a specialised camera and ensure there isn't a chimney system breach that might potentially cause a house fire.

Deteriorating Mortar Joints

It is crucial to promptly repair broken mortar joints between chimney masonry. When mortar deteriorates, it exposes the brickwork to more moisture, accelerating the chimney's degradation. In cold weather, this excess moisture can freeze within the brick cracks. As moisture freezes and thaws in the cement, rocks, and bricks, larger fissures can form. If the damaged mortar is not repaired, the entire chimney could eventually collapse.

Shaling

It's a good sign that the flue is broken if you start to notice little pieces of chimney tile accumulating in the fireplace. To operate a fireplace and chimney safely, the flue lining is necessary; therefore, a yearly chimney check is crucial because of this. Professional chimney sweeps can examine your flue lining carefully and identify issues that could otherwise go unnoticed. For instance, you generally won't notice any outward indications of a chimney system breach if the tiles are cracked but not disintegrating.

Spalling

Spalling is an issue that affects the chimney's exterior and can be identified by the presence of masonry fragments at the base of the structure. When moisture enters masonry, it can cause the surface of brick, concrete, or stone to peel, pop out, or flake off. To prevent the chimney from further crumbling and ultimately being destroyed, damaged brickwork must be replaced.

Damaged Wallpaper

Another obvious indication of chimney damage might be wallpaper on the walls next to your chimney. The dampness in the chimney is typically to blame for any wallpaper deterioration. Before using the fireplace again, any necessary repairs should be performed to the flue or chimney.

Chimney Crown Damage

To find damage to the chimney crown, just as with defective mortar joints, you'll need to climb up on the roof. The crown serves as the chimney's first line of protection against bad weather, making it a crucial component of the chimney construction. 

A damaged crown might let the moisture soak in and lead to further fissures. A cracked crown allows water to infiltrate between the flue lining and the chimney, which may lead to scaling and spalling. The chimney cap should be weatherproofed for the greatest protection against this kind of damage.

If you observe any of the aforementioned indications of chimney damage, get in touch with our experts. However, even if you don't notice any "red flags", you should plan your yearly chimney cleaning and inspection for the spring or summer so that you have plenty of time to perform any necessary repairs that you might not immediately notice. It's also a good idea to arrange a chimney check in the fall and winter; the most essential thing is to do this at least once a year.

Since chimney tops are so prone to cracking and deterioration, moisture can enter the chimney system. Water is prevented from entering the chimney's exterior through the flue by chimney crowns. You may reduce the price of chimney repairs and upkeep by using a full-width chimney cover to keep water out and offer your entire chimney a higher level of protection. A new chimney may need to be built if significant moisture penetration occurs as a consequence of chimney crown deterioration that has gone unnoticed.

Sometimes it's essential to climb a roof in order to spot chimney crown deterioration. Another justification for the necessity of yearly chimney inspections is this. You may avoid taking the risk of going onto a roof by hiring a professional chimney sweep instead of doing it yourself. Depending on the type of inspection you planned, a chimney's various components are examined during the inspection. A Level 2 chimney inspection, for instance, includes a video of the chimney flue's whole interior from top to bottom.

Moisture can result in chimney cracks, but more frequently they are brought on by a shifting foundation or mechanical harm, such as when an antenna is attached to the chimney structure. Also susceptible to harm from lightning strikes are chimneys. The issue of moisture is brought up again by a fractured chimney since the cracks allow moisture to enter the building.