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We Can Do Masonry Repairs

For some repairs, you need a specialist to get the job done properly. Just because someone is qualified to sweep a chimney does not automatically mean he can perform masonry repairs. When you have cracked, loose, or missing bricks and mortar joints in your chimney, you need an experienced mason to restore its stability. At Atlas Chimney, we have chimney technicians with decades of experience in masonry construction and repairs, and you can trust us to do the best job possible. We would like to tell you more about the types of masonry repair services we provide and why you may need them.

We can do masonry repairs - Austin TX - Atlas Chimney

Why would I need masonry repair services from Atlas Chimney?

The exterior of your chimney is constantly exposed to the elements, which causes the bricks and mortar to weaken and erode. Water is so destructive to masonry materials. Even though we do not have to deal with freezing cold weather here in the Austin area very often, your chimney also suffers from spalling damage when the temperature does drop below 32 degrees Fahrenheit. This means any water trapped in the bricks and mortar will freeze and expand. When the weather warms back up, this water thaws back out, and its force causes the masonry materials to crack, break apart, and possibly even come loose and fall from the chimney structure. If left unrepaired, spalling damage can lead to serious structural problems.

Although the weather is responsible for a majority of masonry damage, there are other reasons you may need masonry repairs, which include age, settling, insects, and other environmental conditions. Whatever the cause of the damage, Atlas Chimney has the skills and experience to fix it to restore your chimney.

What kinds of masonry repair services does Atlas Chimney provide?

To replace cracked, chipped, and missing bricks and mortar joints, we use a masonry technique that is known as tuckpointing. An age-old practice, tuckpointing involves the use of pointed tools to tuck mortar in between the bricks. Since we will be replacing old mortar, we take great care to ensure the new mortar will match the existing mortar in color, strength, and composition. We guarantee the repair work will be undetectable and will never look like a patch-up job. Another masonry repair service we provide deals with your firebox. The bricks and mortar in this area are exposed to extremely high temperatures, which can create cracks and gaps inside the firebox. This damage can be dangerous as the surrounding walls will be exposed to high heat, and this can pose a fire hazard. Atlas Chimney can use our masonry skills to replace the damaged masonry materials in the firebox and make your fireplace even safer than it was before.

Have you noticed missing bricks from your chimney this spring? Contact us at Atlas Chimney to schedule a chimney inspection today.

Smoky Chimneys

If you have a fireplace, you have more than likely experienced smoke blowing into the room through it from the chimney when you are trying to start a fire. Quite often, people forget to open the damper, which can cause smoke-filled rooms, but sometimes the solution to a smoky chimney is not as simple as just opening the damper. At Atlas Chimney, we have been frequently asked about smoky chimneys, and the first thing we ask these customers is if the smoke problem is constant or sporadic. Different things can cause smoky chimneys, and we work hard to determine the exact cause so this problem will not happen again. It can be hard to enjoy your fireplace when you are inhaling smoke and coughing as the fire burns. We would like to tell you about the different reasons why your chimney is so smoky.

Smoky Chimneys - Austin TX - Atlas Chimney

Is your chimney constantly smoky?

If smoke always blows through the fireplace whenever you try to light a fire, your chimney could be suffering from a few different problems.  You may have a flue blockage that is forcing smoke back into your home. Our Chimney Safety of America (CSIA)-certified chimney sweeps can easily find this blockage during an inspection and remove the debris from your chimney.
Your fireplace opening may be too large, which can allow too much air into the chimney and cause drafting problems. We can either install glass fireplace doors or something else to reduce the amount of air that flows into your fireplace.

Your home may be too airtight, which creates an insufficiency of air to your chimney. If you have a newer home or have weatherized your home, the CSIA recommends opening a window to see if that resolves your smoke problem. Atlas Chimney can also install a vent that will help bring in outside air when your fireplace is in use.

Do you just have occasional smoke problems?

If your chimney is only smoking sporadically, it could be due to having a high pressure cell in your area that is causing air pressure issues that are affecting your chimney draft. Or, you could be using the wrong type of wood. Atlas Chimney recommends that you only burn seasoned firewood. When you burn freshly cut wood, it can be too wet to burn without a lot of smoke being produced. There are other causes of sporadic smoke problems, and we have the experience to find out the exact cause and help you correct the issue. One of these issues has to do with your chimney not being tall enough to draft properly, and you will definitely need us to add height to your chimney. Whatever the problem may be, you can count on us to help you get rid of the smoke.

Dealing with a smoky chimney? Contact us at Atlas Chimney to talk to our staff about how we can help you breathe easy while enjoying a fire in your fireplace.

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