Environmental Chimney Sweep Inc.

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Common Chimney Repairs You Might Encounter

masonry chimney on home with blue sky background

There are a lot of things to consider when we talk about chimney repairs. In fact, you might need to repair the crown, the caps, the firebox, the flue, the flashing around the base of the chimney where it intersects with the roof or the brick and mortar. This is why it’s important to have a chimney inspection done to identify exactly what is causing the particular issue. Many times we are able to save homeowners money by simply finding out what the problem is and addressing it before it grows into a larger situation.

Chimney Crown Repair

The crown of your chimney is the top or lid of your chimney and is the chimney’s first line of defense against water damage. Over time, the crown may become cracked, deteriorated or otherwise damaged. If you are in need of crown repair services, please give us a call.

Replacing Chimney Caps

Chimney caps can get damaged by wind and rain over time and allow rain, debris, and other small critters to enter through the top of the chimney system. While there are times we can safely reattach a cap, we highly recommend replacing damaged caps. We provide a variety of chimney caps and can get just about any type you choose.

Repairing the Firebox

When discussing the firebox, sometimes referred to as the heat exchanger, it is important to know that the number one reason it fails is age. The firebox is subjected to a lot of heat and dangerous chemicals that take their toll on the unit over time. If you do a DIY or temporary fix on a badly functioning firebox, you might be setting yourself and your family up for a disaster. Once the firebox is cleaned, if you don’t know or can’t see how dangerous the existing damage could be, please consult us to ensure fire safety in your home. If you visualize fire and smoke like water you will understand that they seek out cracks and holes to slip in and out of causing all sorts of potential problems including carbon monoxide poisoning. This is why it is imperative that all cracks are sealed. You want to avoid letting damaging materials inside the neighboring walls at all costs.

As briefly mentioned, dangerous gases are emitted during the burning process. It’s the firebox that contains these poisons and directs them towards the vent so they can be taken up and out of the chimney system safely into the atmosphere. It is estimated that 170 people a year die from non-automobile related carbon monoxide poisoning in their homes. You can see that it is very important to make sure repairs are done correctly. That is why we specialize in firebox repairs.

Flue Liner Replacement and Repairs

Many older homes have clay liners that deteriorate over time. They have a tendency to crack, chip and sometimes even break, leaving cracks and seams where the smoke rising up the chimney system can escape into the walls of your home. The carbon monoxide that is naturally emitted and carried up and out the chimney with the smoke will escape into those cracks if they are not repaired. A product called HeatShield® is an affordable and viable option for those homeowners who have the old style clay flue liners. Of course, if the liner is too badly damaged, then replacing it with a stainless steel liner is the recommended option.

Chimney Flashing Repair

One of the most common calls we get is for chimneys that leak. There are three basic places where a chimney will leak: the crown, the cap, and the flashing. The flashing is the material used to keep water out of the seam where the chimney top meets the roof line. Customers make the mistake of calling a roofing company when they should be calling a chimney specialist company to replace the flashing on their chimney. If you think this is the cause of your leak, please call Basic Chimney Sweep and Repair and we can help you.

Brick and Mortar Repair

Extreme weather conditions or constant conditions such as heat, rain, wind, hail, and lightning are all things that lead to the erosion of mortar, chips, cracks, and holes on brick, and in extreme cases, the toppling of the chimney stack. To avoid this, we recommend a chimney inspection and cleaning annually. The best way to avoid costly repairs is simple: keep an eye on your chimney system and get your annual tune-ups just like you do for your automobiles, your health, your HVAC System, your teeth, etc. Making small repairs along the way can help you avoid a larger issue down the road.

 

An annual chimney sweeping is a simple way to keep your chimney in tip-top shape, so give us a call for this and many other fireplace and chimney services.

Please call us at 828-243-0098 to schedule an appointment today. All Major Credit Cards Accepted.
National Chimney Sweeps Guild Chimney Safety Institute of America