The Stages of Chimney Damage

As the weather warms back up with the arrival of spring, it is a good idea to check out the condition of your exterior masonry chimney. It is important to spot masonry damage in its early stages because of how the bricks and mortar joints can deteriorate if the damage is neglected. For over 25 years, Atlas Chimney has provided top-quality professional chimney maintenance, repair, and installation services to the Austin area, and we have seen what can happen when homeowners ignore masonry chimney damage.

We would like to tell you more about the stages of this type of chimney damage to help you avoid expensive and extensive chimney repair needs. It is our top priority to be sure that your chimney works at its highest levels of efficiency and safety.

What is the biggest cause of masonry chimney damage?

According to the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA), water penetration is responsible for causing the most damage to masonry chimneys. Since your chimney is constantly exposed to the elements of weather, it is essential to ensure that it is protected against water from rain and melted ice and snow throughout the year. The reason why water can do so much damage to your chimney has to do with how masonry materials absorb moisture. The bricks and mortar joints of your chimney are naturally porous, and water can become trapped within the masonry materials. During the winter, this trapped moisture will freeze and expand inside the bricks and mortar joints every time the temperature drops below the freezing point.

When the weather warms back up, the force of the water thawing can be strong enough to cause the masonry materials to crack and break apart. Atlas Chimney recommends that you take a look at your exterior chimney after a period of freezing temperatures to check for damaged bricks and mortar joints. Having this type of damage repaired in a timely manner is crucial to avoid further deterioration of your masonry chimney.

What are the risks of procrastinating masonry chimney repairs?

When water penetration damage leaves behind cracks and gaps in your masonry chimney, you are at a much higher risk for water leaking into your home. This can lead to corrosion of the damper, liner, and other metal components of your chimney and fireplace system, rotting of the adjacent wooden framework of your home, and many other types of damage to your home. One of the most serious issues that you could face is structural damage. Neglected masonry damage can worsen quickly, especially during the winter, and your chimney could be at risk of collapse. If you notice any loose or missing bricks and mortar joints from your masonry chimney, you should contact us at Atlas Chimney as soon as possible to schedule an appointment for an inspection with one of our CSIA-certified chimney professionals.

We will make sure that the structure of your masonry chimney is restored, and we can rebuild your chimney if necessary. We have years of experience with providing professional masonry chimney repair and construction services, and you can count on us to go above and beyond to do the best possible job with your chimney. Our technicians use masonry techniques like tuckpointing to properly repair damaged bricks and mortar joints so that the struçture of your chimney is safe and sound again.

How can I prevent this type of chimney damage?

Fortunately, Atlas Chimney specializes in preventing water penetration damage to masonry chimneys, and we provide several types of professional preventive services, including chimney cap installation and flashing construction and repair. You can trust our team to give you an honest and fair estimate of the best ways to keep water penetration from damaging your masonry chimney. Over our years of taking care of chimneys in the Austin area, we have learned a lot about preventing water damage, and we strongly recommend that you have your masonry chimney professionally waterproofed. This preventive service can protect your chimney for at least a decade, which makes it a great home maintenance investment.

We are proud to use ChimneySaver waterproofing products because they are the best available. Specifically made for masonry chimneys, these waterproofing formulas are 100 percent vapor permeable so you will not have to worry about further damage to the bricks and mortar joints from trapped gases trying to escape. After we have waterproofed your chimney, your chimney has the ultimate protection against deterioration from water penetration.

Catching chimney damage in its earliest stages is important for homeowners to avoid possible safety hazards and chimney rebuilding costs. If you have noticed cracked, loose, or missing bricks and mortar joints on your masonry chimney, contact us today at Atlas Chimney to schedule an appointment for a professional chimney inspection. Our CSIA-certified team is here to help you with all of your professional chimney maintenance, repair, and installation needs.