Our Company Blog

We Do Masonry Repairs

A masonry chimney is built to last a lifetime. However, if it is neglected, it can become damaged to the point of not being safe to operate. Atlas Chimney has seen many chimneys on the verge of collapsing. This is due to damage being ignored. When bricks and mortar begin to crack, they can get worse if not repaired or restored. This is why it is so important to have your chimney professionally inspected every year. Our Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA)-certified chimney sweeps know what to look for. In addition, they can repair the damage before it becomes too extensive. We would like to tell you more about our masonry repair services we provide to the Austin area.

SPALLING AND TUCKPOINTING

The main cause of masonry chimney damage is water. Water can be so destructive that the CSIA has called it the biggest enemy of masonry chimneys. Bricks and mortar are naturally porous. Therefore, the water they absorb deteriorates the materials, especially during the winter. Whenever the temperature drops below 32 degrees Fahrenheit, the water inside the bricks and mortar freezes and expands. As the weather warms up, the force of the water thawing out causes the materials to spall, or crack and break apart.

Atlas Chimney can replace cracked bricks after spalling occurs to restore the structure of your chimney. What happens if there has been a lot of spalling damage? What if the remaining mortar joints need to be reinforced? Additionally, we are also trained and experienced in tuckpointing, which is one of the oldest masonry techniques. Tuckpointing is also needed when the mortar has been damaged. This includes insects, house settling, constant exposure to moisture, and other environmental factors. We take great care to match the color, strength, and composition of the new mortar to the existing mortar. This is so that the repair work is not noticeable.

FIREBOX REPAIR

Bricks that your firebox have been constructed with are made to withstand the extremely high temperatures of fires. However, they can still become damaged over time. When the bricks in your firebox are cracked, it can be very dangerous. Heat can transfer to the combustible parts of your home. Atlas Chimney can replace the damaged bricks in your firebox, and we can also tuckpoint the gaps and cracks that have occurred over the years. We use high quality refractory bricks and mortar that can stand up to the heat and will protect your home from heat transfer.

Does your masonry chimney need repairing? Contact us at Atlas Chimney to schedule an appointment for our masonry repair services today!

Fixing a Leaky Chimney Before the Holidays

If you suspect you may have a leaky chimney, you should have it inspected as soon as possible. Neglecting a chimney leak can lead to even more damage that can end up being very expensive. You may think that you could wait until the new year to have the leak repaired. However, Atlas Chimney recommends that you go ahead and contact us now. We can take care of your leaky chimney quickly! This way, you can relax and enjoy the holidays without worrying about the leak getting bigger. Why you should be proactive when it comes to a leaky chimney? Atlas Chimney would like to tell you more about the damage caused by chimney leaks. In addition, how we can fix the problem.

What kind of damage can a chimney leak do?

Water can be so destructive that the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) has called it the biggest enemy of masonry chimneys. Water leaks can lead to rusting of metal chimney components.

These include:

• the damper and the liner
• the staining and leaking of walls and ceilings near the chimney
• the rotting of wood that is adjacent to the chimney

This rusting causes major damage to the structure of your chimney. Most of this structural damage occurs during the winter. Masonry materials like bricks and mortar are naturally porous. Therefore, any water that is absorbed into these materials will freeze and expand whenever the temperature falls below freezing. As this water thaws, it can cause the bricks and mortar joints to crack and break apart. Repeated freeze/thaw cycles accelerate and worsen this damage. Consequently, the damage can lead to the entire chimney structure collapsing.

How can Atlas Chimney fix my chimney leak?

With over 30 years of experience in working on leaky chimneys, we know where the most common areas for leaks are located. Once we have found the source of the leak, we will provide you with a written estimate of the repairs needed to solve the problem. We provide skilled chimney masonry services, including chimney crown repair and construction, as well as tuckpointing. We can also repair and build customized flashing systems that protect one of the most vulnerable areas, which is where the chimney meets the roof.

How can Atlas Chimney protect my chimney from leaks?

We highly recommend that you have your chimney professionally waterproofed to prevent water penetration. We offer waterproofing services that give your chimney the best protection available. Our trained chimney technicians only use waterproofing formulas that are 100% vapor permeable. This is important because it allows vapors to escape the masonry materials, instead of becoming trapped and causing even more damage.

If you suspect you have a chimney leak, contact us at Atlas Chimney today. We can take care of your leaky chimney before the holidays so that you can relax and enjoy this special time of the year!