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Does My Chimney Need to Be Rebuilt?

So… There are any number of reasons why a chimney might need to be rebuilt. How can you know whether your damage might be past the point of repair? Here are some good signs to watch for:

• Leaning or tilting: If your chimney is visibly leaning or tilting, this is a clear sign that some major structural issues are occurring. This isn’t something to hold off on. Call an expert right away to ensure dangerous issues (like a collapse) don’t end up happening and putting your household at risk.
• Big gaps or cracks: Most minor masonry issues can be resolved with some expert knowledge and the right products, but if your cracking or deterioration seem to have gotten out of hand, the best course of action may be an entire rebuild. Call our expert out, so we can take a look and assess the situation.
• Missing brickwork: Some missing bricks here or there are definitely a cause for concern, but usually fixable. If a substantial number of bricks have fallen out of your chimney, though, have our technicians check things over – a rebuild may be the best route.
• Smoking chimney: Are smoke or fumes pouring out of the sides of your masonry chimney at alarming rates? Chances are, you have numerous parts of your chimney breaking down, and it may be best to tear things down and start from scratch in order to get things working efficiently again.
• Crumbling mortar joints: If parts of your mortar are missing, flaking, or seem to be falling out, tuckpointing can usually be done to restore your system to its proper state. But if the damage is too exhaustive, a rebuild may be the better route.

If you notice any of these issues – or have any other concerns that you think might indicate a rebuild or some repairs would be in order – don’t hesitate to give us a call. Using a chimney with damages could put your home and family at serious risk, so having one of our experts assess the situation right away is important, keeping your household safer.

What Are the Most Common Causes of Chimney Damage?

There are a few big things that are known for causing damage bad enough to trigger a full rebuild. Most of the time, major chimney damages are caused by one of the following:

• Natural Disasters: If you’ve recently experienced an earthquake, tornado, flood, or other big natural weather disaster, your chimney will, at the very least, require a thorough level 2 chimney inspection. And we wouldn’t be surprised if that inspection warranted the need for a rebuild.
• Chimney Fires: Sometimes damages from chimney fires can be repaired, but if things got too bad, a rebuild might be the better option. Always remember to get those sweepings on the books to avoid harmful creosote buildup (the leading cause for chimney fires).
• Neglect: Years of neglect and unresolved damages can take a toll on a chimney. That’s why investing in inspections and regular maintenance is so important in maintaining the health of your chimney.
• Water Damage: Water is one of the worst things your chimney can interact with, which is why investing in preventive maintenance and swift repair work is important. If leak repairs, waterproofing, and the like have been put off or avoided, a rebuild may eventually be required.
• Improper Construction: Unfortunately, some systems simply weren’t built right from the beginning. If yours was constructed by someone inexperienced or improperly trained, you might be better off having it torn down and rebuilt.
• Old Age: Chimneys can last a lifetime, but they aren’t able to last forever. It could be that your chimney is simply too old and needs to be torn down, then built back up again.

What’s important is getting to the root cause of the issue, so you can ensure avoidable issues are prevented from recurring again down the line. Things like creosote buildup, neglect, water damage, and improper construction are all issues that can be avoided by trusting the right team and by putting in the time and maintenance necessary for keeping your system standing strong for the long haul.

How Can I Protect My Chimney Down the Line?

Have you already had your chimney rebuilt and are wondering now how you can avoid big damages from occurring again in the future? Well, not all damages can always be avoided (like ones caused by a natural disaster), but there are things you can do to greatly minimize your risk of needing a rebuild again later on.

• Invest in annual maintenance. Booking an inspection every single year and cleanings whenever they are needed are two easy (and affordable) steps that can work wonders in preventing bigger issues from popping up later on. Be sure to trust an educated and certified tech for the job, though.
• Invest in preventive measures. Waterproofing, investing in a solid chimney liner, having a chimney cap properly fitted, and more are all forms of preventive maintenance that ensure the system stays less susceptible to leaks and other types of damage.
• Invest in swift repairs. Chimney repairs only continue to worsen as they’re left unaddressed – meaning that the longer you wait, the more time-consuming and expensive any problem areas will be to address.
• Use your system properly. Things like burning only seasoned wood, keeping any eye for damages, and not throwing trash or other harmful products into your fireplace are all important for keeping it in tip-top shape.

How Much Does a Chimney Rebuild Cost?

The cost of a rebuild can vary by thousands of dollars depending on how extensive your damage is. Because of this, giving an accurate assessment, without knowing the current state of the specific system, can be challenging.

A few things that can affect the cost of the rebuild include:

• the extent of the damage
• the size and height of the chimney
• the materials needed for the rebuild
• whether it’s a masonry or prefab rebuild

For instance, a smaller chimney that hasn’t experienced an excessive amount of damage won’t likely cost as much as a tall and wide chimney that is completely destroyed.

Here’s our recommended course of action. Give us a call, so that we can get a better idea of what we’re working with. Then, book an inspection, so we can thoroughly look things over and make a plan for moving forward. We’ll then be able to give you a more accurate assessment of what to expect as far as an estimate.

For those in Boerne, New Braunfels, Seguin, Canyon Lake, San Marcos, and more, we’d be happy to do all we can to work with your unique needs, budget, and preferences. Trust our techs with it all.

Can I Complete a Chimney Rebuild Myself?

Chimney rebuilds are complex, labor-intensive, and require a high level of skill, education, and experience. So, no – this is never a job that should be done by someone who isn’t certified in the chimney industry and who doesn’t have an extensive knowledge on how a chimney system functions and operates.

Along with this, chimney rebuilds require working on the roof of your home and involve a number of safety risks that need to be taken into consideration as the process is complete. Experts know how to work in these settings and they have the proper equipment to better avoid the risk of falls or injuries.

Attempting a chimney rebuild yourself can result in costly mistakes, safety hazards, and the risk of building codes not being met. It is always best to hire a licensed and experienced professional to handle this type of project.

Even the most avid and experienced do-it-yourselfer shouldn’t attempt a chimney rebuild. You need appropriate tools, knowledge, and experience to ensure no one gets hurt, nothing is done incorrectly, and that the chimney isn’t left more vulnerable after all is said and done.

On that same note, be sure to hire a team of chimney sweeps that really know their stuff. Techs that aren’t experienced with this type of work or who haven’t undergone appropriate training may wind up cutting corners or making big mistakes – and that would just do more harm than good.

It’s always better to trust a team to do the job right from the very beginning… rather than attempt to save some money on cheaper labor, only to need expensive repairs completed later because the techs didn’t know what they were doing.

Interested in a Fireplace Replacement?

Sometimes a new fireplace or chimney isn’t necessarily needed, but it doesn’t mean you don’t want to change your current system’s look or aesthetic. Whatever upgrades or updates you’re looking to invest in, trust our crew to get the job done right. We’d be happy to take your entire vision into account, ensuring you have everything you need to use your fireplace with ease and comfort.

We can also offer repair services and replace any necessary parts, like chimney caps or chase covers, if needed.

Call Us Today With Your Chimney Rebuild Questions

Why do our clients come back to us time and time again for their repairs, rebuilds, restorations, and more? Because we never fail to get the job done right. Our team is certified with the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA), are members of the National Chimney Sweep Guild (NCSG), and work hard to make sure our customers are satisfied with our work.

If you have questions or concerns about your chimney, we’d love to hear from you. We can get you the answers you need, set you up with a plan for repairs and needed replacement parts, then provide any required maintenance down the line to ensure your system stays in tip-top shape year after year.

Reach out at 830-620-9130 to speak with one of our team members, or you can start your scheduling process online now. Thanks for trusting us.

 

Wolfman Chimney & Fireplace is the business to call if you are thinking about a fireplace replacement. Our chimney and fireplace repairs expertise covers it all.