Chimney – Can You Spot Damage In Yours

Don’t Wait Until Your Chimney Needs Replaced

This season, many of us will experience a decrease in temperature. Most homeowners will light up their fireplaces keep their homes toasty and ambient. The mantel adds a decorative experience to your home. Depending on local wood costs, it may even help you save on your energy bill. A working chimney creates priceless memories and comfort. Faulty chimneys can lead to other in-home complications and present dangerous hazards to you and your family.

Fireplace Doors That Won’t Close

If you have fireplace doors that don’t want to close, check for dents in your chimney. However, if the frame of your fireplace seems morphed, you probably have foundational asymmetry. You might want to call a foundation specialist to check your chimney. 

Your Mantel Is Warped

Warped fireplace mantels are a clear indicator that your chimney has caved or cracked inside. Wood mantels are susceptible to moisture damage. The damaged wooden mantel may lead to an unstable chimney. If the warped mantel is metal, this indicates the damage is long-term. The warping probably occurred from foundation or chimney faults.  Depending on the extent of the damage, you may or may not need foundation repair.

Leakage Or Moisture In Your Mantel Or Chimney 

Chimney covers generally keep the rain out. Sometimes heavy storms allow water to seep into the top of your chimney. If the leaking occurs for more than a day or two, consider calling your local masonry company. Homes with more open chimneys are more likely to allow water to seep into your fireplace. Old brick chimneys may have cracks that allow the water to seep into your chimney.

Replace or fix minor cracks as soon as possible to avoid larger ones from forming. Water trapped in a wooden chimney can result in wood rot and metal rusting. Both of these conditions could lead to a faulty chimney and progressive foundation damage. Metal improperly melded together allows heat to contact the wood. This could lead to a fire. Ask the mason to check the safety of the metal lining.

Cracks On The Outside

Checking for cracks may seem obvious, but you should keep an eye on your chimney regularly. If you see a crack forming or a brick sliding out, you need to stop your yard work and investigate further. If your loose brick is up top, filling it with cement may offer a quick and safe solution. If you think the crack is minor, you may choose to observe it over time to see if it changes. Fill it in beforehand. If the crack is towards the bottom, call a foundation masonry repair company as soon as possible. 

Tiles, Wallpaper Or Paint Around The Chimney

In older homes, peeling paint and wallpaper is natural. If you have never noticed the paint or wallpaper peel until now, you should investigate chimney damage. A sudden change in the wallpaper reveals a shift in your walls caused by the foundation. Tiles, that randomly fall off or appear cracked, indicate that your walls are unstable due to warping.

White Stains On Your Chimney’s Bricks

If you see white marks on your chimney’s bricks, damage may be present. These white marks, called efflorescence, mean that water has left behind a crystalline deposit of salts in the grain of the bricks. Efflorescence happens when water vaporizes through the bricks. If you have glazed or cemented your chimney, you should be able to wipe off the crystalline deposits. If not, you need to call a mason to ensure that your slab is not weak. 

If any of these signs become a concern, you can contact Atlantic Foundation for a free consultation for foundation or masonry repair.