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Structural Damage & Your Chimney

Durable and solid, masonry chimneys are built to last for many years; however, the constant exposure to the elements can lead to damage and deterioration. Repair damaged bricks and mortar joints as soon as possible because they get much worse when neglected. Over 25 years of service, Atlas Chimney has seen many chimneys collapse because of negletcing masonry damage. This type of damage worsens even more quickly during the winter due to cold weather. To keep your chimney structurally sound, we can help you both with professional chimney repair and water penetration preventive services. We want to tell you more about why winter weather is so rough on the structure of your chimney as well as how we can help you keep it safe and sound.

Why does winter weather cause so much structural damage to chimneys?

While masonry materials are strong and durable, they are also naturally porous and absorb moisture, which weakens the bricks and mortar joints. This is why the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) has issued such a stern warning to homeowners about water penetration damage to masonry chimneys. The CSIA also warns that this type of damage can quickly worsen during the winter because of freeze/thaw cycles. Any moisture inside masonry materials will freeze and expand every time the temperature drops below 32 degrees Fahrenheit. When this water thaws, its force causes the bricks and mortar joints to crack and break apart. Repeated freeze/thaw cycles in one season can lead to bricks and mortar falling from the chimney structure, and if this damage is not repaired in a timely manner, the structure of your chimney could be in serious jeopardy.

How can Atlas Chimney help protect my masonry chimney from structural damage?

We have the necessary skills and experience to replace damaged and missing bricks and mortar joints. In addition, we also provide several ways to combat water penetration. These include professional chimney cap installation and customized flashing system construction and repairs. We strongly recommend professionally waterproofing your chimney to ensure protection against water damage. This service creates a barrier against water penetration that lasts for a decade and will prevent freeze/thaw damage from occurring during the cold winter months.

Keep your masonry chimney’s structure safe and sound this winter. Contact us today at Atlas Chimney to learn more about our professional water penetration preventive services and to schedule an appointment for your waterproofing treatment.

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.

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