Inspect and Maintain Your Chimney to Avoid Expensive Repairs

A chimney is not something we think much about in modern times. Many years ago the fireplace was a central and functional part of the home. Today, a fireplace is mostly used to enhance a romantic evening or to complete the traditional holiday season look and feel. However, if you have a masonry chimney you can save substantial money by inspecting it on a regular basis.

Masonry chimneys are very tough items being made of stone or brick. However, over time, the mortar between the brick or stone slowly breaks down resulting from exposure to the elements. This is perfectly normal but you need to repair the mortar periodically to prevent serious damage from occurring.

As the mortar breaks down, water is able to cause progressively more damage to the chimney. Sections of the chimney will need to be rebuilt and, in extreme cases, the chimney may need to be torn down if neglected for long periods of time. This is expensive! You can avoid this by repairing the mortar through a process called "tuck-pointing".

The concept is very straightforward although the implementation calls for dusty, hard work. Basically, the chipping or cracking mortar between the joints is removed with a hammer and chisel. An electric grinder with a tuck-pointing blades can be used for big jobs. This grinding or chipping creates trenches around the brick or stone where new mortar can be installed.

Mix the mortar according the manufacturer's instructions. Place a liberal amount of mortar on a mason's trowel, rest the trowel against the chimney directly below a section you need to fill. Next, take a pointing trowel and use it to cut off a bit of mortar on the masons trowel and pack into the joint.

Once the joints are fully packed, remove the excess mortar. Finally, shape and smooth the joints by running a jointing tool across the new mortar. Clean the bricks with a brush once the mortar is dry.

Although not technically complicated, many people hire contractors for the job as it is manual labor intensive and involves heights. If you elect to hire a contractor for your job, be sure the company is licensed and bonded. Also, be sure to ask for references from previous customers.

Following these steps will ensure your chimney lasts for many, many years and does not end up costing you a small fortune in extensive repairs.

For additional information on the topic of chimney installation and repair visit Guardian Chimney Sweep.