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Chimney Masonry Repair: Did You Know Chimney Masonry Is Specialized?
Chimney issues can come out of nowhere sometimes. It can be a beautiful sunny day…you’re out in the yard doing some landscaping, when suddenly you notice pieces of a strange, hard substance on the ground around your chimney. You look up and see gaps in sections of the brick. That’s when it clicks: the bricks on your masonry chimney are chipping – and you’re left Googling “chimney brick repair near me,” desperately seeking masonry repair solutions.
Whether the burning season is just around the corner or still a few months off, this is a problem that needs to be addressed right away. What do you do when your masonry needs a little extra attention? Call in a certified chimney professional with the right expertise and experience to restore your structure. Masonry that’s in rough shape isn’t only bad on the eyes – it could also pose a potential safety risk to your family if the structural integrity is compromised.
When you need chimney or fireplace repair services, you can trust Ashbusters Charleston. Our crew can get the job done, no matter how big or small it is. Whether it’s a few cracked bricks or a full chimney rebuild, you can count on our team for all of your masonry problems.
Give us a call today at 843-595-4927 or get in touch with us online.
What Is a Masonry Chimney?
Masonry refers to the process of building a structure that is made of bricks, concrete blocks, stones, or similar materials, and then binding them together with mortar. Basically, it’s a more complicated way of saying you have a brick chimney. Masonry systems offer a classic look that’s often desired by homeowners, and although they are commonly associated with wood-burning fireplaces, many modern masonry units can be converted to gas or electric with a fireplace insert.
Masonry chimneys are known for their durability and their sturdiness – and this isn’t an exaggeration. Just like other home appliances, maintenance is the key to longevity for any chimney system.
A masonry chimney can last a lifetime with annual inspections and cleanings as recommended by the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). Now and then, an issue might pop up that needs to be fixed even with yearly check-ups. Fireplace repairs are an annoying – but expected and necessary – part of a chimney maintenance plan, and it’s important to hire a qualified professional to take care of them promptly and properly.
Who Can Repair Masonry Chimneys?
One thing many people don’t realize is that, when dealing with a chimney system, hiring just anybody claiming masonry experience may not be the best choice to fix your dirty, stinky, leaky, and freaky chimneys.
Why is hiring an experienced and qualified mason such a must? Well, for one, there are certain mixes of mortar and bricks that are required to fix these issues correctly – we have the experience to do just that.
We specialize in chimney masonry work here at Ashbusters Charleston. We may get asked from time to time to do some other home masonry projects, which we can, but we spend the vast majority of our time repairing and rebuilding chimneys that need our help. The last thing you want to do is hire someone who might not have the experience required for the job at hand – and thus put your family at risk in the process. After all, you are lighting a fire in the middle of your home!
When choosing a chimney professional, look no further than Ashbusters Charleston. We’re fully licensed and insured, and our chimney technicians are CSIA-certified with nearly three decades of masonry experience. That’s hard to top. Reach out now.
What Causes Masonry Chimney Damage?
Foul weather is the biggest enemy to a masonry chimney. Since your chimney is outside of your home and extends beyond the roofline, it doesn’t have any of the safeguards that protect other components of the chimney system from the elements and water intrusion.
A chimney that has taken on rain for several years could be just as vulnerable as a chimney that was randomly struck by lightning. That said, while Mother Nature isn’t good for your chimney’s longevity, it isn’t the only factor that can lead to damage. Here are other common issues that can cause chimney deterioration:
- Neglect. We say this often, but committing to just one chimney inspection and cleaning a year can identify problems early, and it allows us to step in before things get out of hand. A simple water leak is usually easy and cost-effective to fix, but if it goes unchecked for an extended period of time, it can snowball into something much more expensive and time-consuming.
- Poor construction. Craftsmanship plays a large part in how long a structure can hold up over time. Unfortunately, that leaves a lot of room for human error. If the builder was inexperienced or chose subpar materials, it’s more likely that you will have problems with your chimney at some point.
- Fire damage. We know what you’re thinking – isn’t a masonry chimney supposed to be able to deal with heat? Yes, brick can take on high temperatures that fluctuate rapidly. However, your chimney should never come into direct contact with flames. It may surprise you, but most chimney fires go undetected until an inspection uncovers damage.
- Missing or damaged liner. The chimney liner acts as a barrier between your chimney and excess heat and acidic gases. When the liner gets damaged, it can’t protect your chimney as it was intended to – and you may notice deterioration happening at a quicker pace as a result. If you have an older home, it’s a strong possibility that your chimney doesn’t have a liner at all. Schedule a chimney inspection if you’re not sure if you have an intact liner.
Common Repairs or Rebuilds for Masonry Chimneys
Do you suspect that you may need masonry work, but you’re not sure if we’re the right choice to handle what you need to be done? Here’s an overview of the masonry services provided by Ashbusters Charleston:
- New construction, including outdoor chimneys and kitchens
- Restoration of old or damaged chimney brick and mortar
- Demolition of old or damaged chimneys beyond repair or for replacement
- Rebuilding a damaged chimney
- Repointing (tuckpointing) damaged mortar between bricks
If you’d like to schedule an appointment for one of these services or have a question, reach out to Ashbusters Charleston online or call us at 843-595-4927.
How Do I Know if I Need Masonry Repairs?
You can see when there’s a problem with your masonry chimney, right? Eh…not always. Issues like spalling brick and gaps in the mortar joints are easier to spot, but some problems are not as visible to the untrained eye.
Here are a few signs to keep an eye out for that may point to deeper problems:
- Discoloration. A chimney exterior that changes colors is a sign that something is going on in your chimney. A white, powdery substance, efflorescence, is an indication of a moisture problem. Red stains could point to rusting somewhere along the chimney system, and you should have the crown and cap checked thoroughly.
- The chimney is leaning. If your chimney is tilting, it could be a sign that there’s a structural problem. This should be assessed by a certified chimney technician to determine the best and safest solution.
- Cracks in the bricks. Cracks can be long and cover a large portion of the chimney surface, but some cracks are smaller and harder to see. Cracks are access points for water and larger ones can be a welcome sign for critters.
- There are water stains in the firebox. Water and water stains in the firebox are usually the result of a leak that may originate from the crown or cap. The leak could also be coming from cracks in the brick.
Is Your Distressed Chimney Begging To Be Fixed?
No matter what condition your current chimney is in, we can help. We understand the anatomy of the system from top to bottom and can help with any type of repair. Starting with us first eliminates the need to go through a general contractor to get your chimney fixed right.
Note: That’s not to say that we don’t work with general contractors on projects that include chimney work, because we work with many great companies that bring us in for specialty jobs on fireplaces, wood stoves, and prefab chimney units.
About Our Unprecedented Warranties
When Ashbusters Charleston finishes a project, we want our clients to be worry-free in the short term and well into the future. As master masons, we serve as the contractor on the job so we put in place warranties from our 5-year workmanship warranty for all of our jobs to the 10-year Lifetime warranty that many of our repairs cover. We are confident in offering such warranties because we make sure the jobs we do are done correctly.
Expand Your Living Area to the Great Outdoors
Many families are extending their living space out of doors and into their backyards or on existing patios. For projects such as outdoor fireplaces, full or partial kitchens, and outdoor wood-fire ovens (aka, pizza ovens that really are so much more!), we are the company to call.
We will work hand in hand with you or your landscape architect to give you the wonderful outdoor space of your dreams. We are here to work with you regarding your chimney system or any new project. Just let us know how we can help.
Does Ashbusters Charleston Offer Masonry Chimney Repairs Near Me?
For nearly 30 years, Ashbusters Charleston has serviced clients throughout Charleston and North Charleston. We travel as far north as Berkeley County and as far south as Charleston County. If you’re not sure if you’re within our service area, reach out to our customer care team – they’ll be happy to answer your questions and get you scheduled for an appointment.
Book Ashbusters Charleston for Your Masonry Repairs
Is your masonry brick spalling? Has your chimney started leaning more toward the left lately? Are you worried about the effects of water damage? Don’t wait any longer and call Ashbusters Charleston now! If you have a concern about your masonry chimney, we’re here to help you through it all. Call us at 843-595-4927 or schedule an appointment online today.
No one likes having to deal with chimney repairs, but our trained professionals know exactly what to do when your chimney needs relining, so call us today.