Though your chimney may seem like just another part of your home, it can weather and age along with other parts of your home’s exterior. As it ages, it can begin to form cracks in the masonry that will eventually lead to more damage and, over time, failure. Here’s a quick look at what to watch for to determine whether it’s time to look into chimney masonry repair for your New Braunfels home.
Is it Time for Your Chimney to Have Masonry Repairs?
Did you notice a few drips of water in your fireplace recently? Though this could be caused by a missing chimney cap, the small metal roof that covers the top of your chimney, it can also happen when the masonry in your chimney begins to fail. As moisture comes through the sides of your chimney, they can cause additional damage to your chimney, causing more of the masonry to fail.
Are there cracks in your chimney’s crown? The top part of the brick-and-mortar part of your chimney, the crown helps prevent additional wear and tear, providing a little shelter to the bricks and masonry located beneath it. If these cracks continue, bricks may begin to come loose, causing damage to your roof.
What about your bricks? If you’re noticing that they’re beginning to crack or that pieces are flaking off them, it’s a sign that moisture is penetrating the brick itself, with the expansion and contraction of the moisture creating pressure that is causing problems within the brick.
Is there damage to the mortar joints between the bricks or is it missing entirely in places? This is a serious issue that needs to be addressed as quickly as possible so that your chimney doesn’t fail. The mortar holds the bricks together and provides structural strength to the entire assembly.
By regularly inspecting your chimney and keeping an eye out for potential problems, you can stay on top of these issues and make sure that they’re caught early before your chimney requires expensive repairs. If you need help with chimney masonry repair for your New Braunfels home, the friendly team of professionals at Wolfman Chimney & Fireplace are happy to help. Please reach out today with any questions or concerns.
Reach us online, send us a text, or call us at 830-620-4335 today!