Keep your Chimney dry!
Water is a major contributor to the erosion of your chimney's masonry. A person's chimney is arguably the most forgotten part of their home and if neglected, could put your home and your family at risk. Your chimney is just one of those things that you expect to be there for you when you need it but may not give it much additional thought in the meantime. However, your chimney needs to be tended to and fixed whenever a repair is necessary.
Water and Metal do not mix!
Metal and Water do not mix! Everyone know that water causes rust. A constant water presence can cause your metal damper assemblies and metal chimney liners to rust. Take the rust you can see and multiply that by at least two and that will be the amount of rust you CAN'T see. Just because you haven't seen any rust, does not mean there isn't any. Have you been unable to physically open your damper? There could be major rust built up from running water starting from the top of the chimney. This could be caused by a missing or damaged chimney cap. If you do not have one, you need one and if you have a broken one it needs to be fixed!
Water and your Brickwork!
Your chimney may be spalling due to water. Spalling is the flaking off of the brick surface and is a definitive sign of severe moisture penetration. Spalling bricks have cracks and breaks in the surface and often large, crater-shaped chips. These bricks must be repaird or replaced immediately. The best way to avoid brick spalling is to eliminate the moisture altogether. This once again goes back to needing a strong chimney cap in place!
Mortar Erosion!
Your chimney is constantly exposed to the elements on the outside all year round and the heat from your firebox on the inside during the winter months. Beacuse of these conditions, the weathering process is increased. As such, it is common for the mortar to begin to crumble and fall away, leaving open areas between the bricks, thereby exposing more surface area to these weathering agents. Unless you are planning on gettign rid of your chimney, there is absolutely no excuse for not taking better care of it. It’s time to have an experienced technician evaluate the condition of your chimney’s interior and exterior, get them repaired if necessary and have your chimney coated with a waterproofing agent. \
Guaranteed Chimney of New England has experts across the Boston and larger Massachusetts area ready to serve you around the clock. Water is a major contributor to the erosion of your chimney's masonry. A person's chimney is arguably the most forgotten part of their home and if neglected, could put your home and your family at risk. Your chimney is just one of those things that you expect to be there for you when you need it but may not give it much additional thought in the meantime. However, your chimney needs to be tended to and fixed whenever a repair is necessary.