Chimneys tend to be one area of the home that many people never think about except during the winter. For this reason, it’s not unusual for chimney repairs to be overlooked until major damage has been done. Chimney restoration could be needed to eliminate structural damage and ensure your chimney is safe. Here are a few signs that indicate full chimney restoration instead of repair is in order.
- Missing or damaged brick or mortar can result in the entire structure becoming weakened, and may eventually cause it to collapse. To prevent extensive damage, restoration should be performed as soon as missing or damaged mortar becomes apparent.
- A leaning chimney could indicate structural damage has already taken place, and should be looked at immediately. A leaning chimney could place additional stress on your roof or exterior walls, and also increases your risk of a fire.
- Peeling wallpaper or paint on the inside of your home near your chimney could indicate that moisture is entering your flue. This could be due to broken mortar or a damaged liner. Severe damage to your interior walls could result unless repairs are made promptly.
- Spalling, or peeling masonry, also means water is entering your structure. Spalling can severely weaken brick or stone, affecting the structural integrity of your chimney. It could eventually lead to collapse.
- Smoke entering your home is often due to a closed damper; however, when the damper is fully open, the problem could be caused by an improperly lined flue. This could make your fireplace unsafe (and uncomfortable) to use, and should be attended to promptly.
The best way to know if your chimney requires restoration is to have regular inspections performed to check for damage. For chimney inspections, please contact us!
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