Spalling Brickwork: Why It Happens & How to Fix It
The bricks and mortar used to build chimneys are strong and durable enough to last for years. However, they can suffer from erosion damage, which is also known as spalling. This is from the constant exposure to the elements of weather. According to the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA), water can cause extensive and expensive damage to masonry chimneys! That’s why they recommend homeowners take preventive measures to protect their chimneys from water penetration.
For over 25 years, Atlas Chimney has been providing several professional chimney maintenance services. These prevent spalling damage, as well as chimney repair services, to fix any damaged bricks and mortar on your chimney. We would like to tell you more about spalling. In addition, what we can do to repair and prevent this type of chimney masonry damage.
How does spalling occur?
Masonry materials are naturally porous. This means the bricks and mortar of your chimney naturally absorb water every time it rains, sleets, or snows. Since your chimney is constantly exposed to the elements, there could be quite a bit of moisture within the masonry materials, and this causes erosion damage. The majority of spalling damage occurs during the winter, especially during any periods of freezing conditions.
Whenever the temperature falls below 32 degrees Fahrenheit, the moisture within the bricks and mortar freezes and expands. As the weather warms up, the force of the water thawing causes spalling to happen. Repeated freeze/thaw cycles over the winter can lead to the materials cracking, breaking apart, and even becoming loose from the chimney. These gaps and voids left behind allow more water to penetrate the chimney. This leads to more damage. If not repaired, the structure of your chimney can be in serious jeopardy and can even collapse completely!
How can Atlas Chimney help me with spalling damage?
Is your chimney is missing bricks or mortar joints? If so, our experienced chimney masonry technicians use specialized techniques like tuckpointing to repair the spalling damage. You can trust us to properly restore soundness to the structure of your chimney. By doing this, it prevents water leaks into your chimney and home. To prevent spalling from occurring, we provide professional chimney waterproofing services, which is a smart investment. A vapor permeable formula is applied to your entire chimney. It creates a barrier against water penetration and spalling for at least a decade!
Protect your chimney from extensive and expensive spalling damage. Contact us at Atlas Chimney to schedule an appointment for our professional chimney maintenance and repair services to keep your chimney safe and sound.