by Mark Hudson | Mar 30, 2019 | masonry repairs
Did you use your fireplace this winter only to realize that you have damaged masonry? A fireplace and chimney may seem to work, while efficiency has actually gone down, and water is in the chimney. Masonry damage, big or small, should be repaired as soon as it’s noticed in order to avoid expensive repairs and hazards in the future.
Winter Damage
A common call we get in the spring here at Hudson Chimney is for masonry repairs due to winter damage. Cold temperatures during the winter months can wreak havoc on a masonry chimney, especially if there are any cracks or gaps in the masonry. A little damage in the fall can lead to serious water damage and structural damage by spring. Once spring arrives, so does the rainy and stormy weather, adding more damage to the already damaged chimney.
Common winter damage includes:
-Spalling masonry in which mortar is cracked and bricks are falling away, leaving gaps and openings in the masonry.
-Stains on the surface of the masonry which indicate water penetration or a damaged cap.
-Crown damage from snow, ice, water, and sun exposure which allows water into the system from cracks and gaps.
Trust Hudson Chimney
For over 30 years, Hudson Chimney has been the choice for comprehensive chimney care in Jacksonville and the surrounding area. If you reside in Jacksonville, Florida, and you need masonry repairs, look no further than the team at Hudson Chimney. We are experienced masons and bricklayers and can repair and rebuild your masonry chimney no matter the type of stone, size of the chimney, or amount of damage. Being from the Jacksonville area, we know what it means to maintain masonry near a shoreline, with salty air and tropical winds.
Our chimney sweeps are experienced at repairing masonry through tuckpointing, a process in which the damaged section of masonry is removed, and then replaced using new mortar of equal strength, consistency, and color. When we repair your masonry with tuckpointing, the repair should be seamless. Following a repair, we protect our work with an industrial water repellent that will protect your chimney year after year. Living on the coast, even the panhandle.
Prevent Masonry Damage
It is easier and cheaper to prevent damage rather than repair it. We can help you prevent masonry damage by performing routine chimney maintenance and services. For instance, we recommend annual chimney inspections for every fire appliance and chimney regardless of performance, and routine chimney sweeps as needed to keep the system clean of soot and creosote. We also waterproof masonry with ChimneySaver’s Water Repellent to protect masonry year after year. This solution is 100 percent vapor permeable, protecting against water while allowing the chimney to breathe.
If you haven’t had your chimney serviced this year, or if you’ve never had it waterproofed, you can schedule these important services today and avoid masonry damage.
Call Hudson Chimney today at 904-282-4159.
by Mark Hudson | Aug 15, 2014 | chimney repairs, leaky chimney, masonry repairs, water damage, waterproofing
Fixing a leaking chimney quickly can prevent thousands of dollars worth of damage. Leaky chimneys can lead to mold growth, water stains, drywall distortion, and insulation damage. Most importantly, small leaks that may seem insignificant will eventually become bigger leaks that create more damage to your home and that will cost more to repair.
Calling a professional to fix your leaky chimney is not only safer than making the attempt to fix it yourself, but it also ensures that the best – and the correct – repairs are made. The professionals at Hudson Chimney can locate the source or sources of the leaks and fix them accordingly. They will work to not only repair any damages, but to also prevent further damage.
Calling chimney professionals such as those at Hudson Chimney rather than roofing professionals is also important if you think your chimney is what is leaking. Professionals at Hudson Chimney have the expertise and tools necessary to find and fix a chimney leak, while roofing professionals have the expertise and tools to fix roofs. Signs that your chimney and not your roof is leaking include water-stains around your chimney, cracking in your flu lining, a collapsing chimney, and the staining of your chimney or the mortar.
There are several possible problems if your chimney is leaking, all of which Hudson Chimney is CSI-certified to repair:
- If the leak is coming from your chimney crown, Hudson Chimney can repair it with a crown coating material. It is important to fix small cracks because water can seep into the cracks, freeze and expand, and thus make the cracks bigger. If the chimney crown has bigger cracks, Hudson Chimney can replace the crown.
- If there is damage to the chimney flashing, or the metal sheeting that protects the gaps between your chimney and the roof, only a professional should attempt to fix it. Hudson Chimney offers this service to not only prevent further leaking, but to ensure the lifespan of your chimney.
- There might be damage to shingles surrounding your chimney. Professionals at Hudson Chimney can replace the shingles for you to stop the leaking.
- The erosion of mortar joints can easily lead to holes and thus leaks. Professionals at Hudson Chimney have been working for over thirty years to fix such problems and worse.
Once any cracks in bricks or mortar have been fixed, the professionals at Hudson Chimney can apply ChimneySaver’s Water Repellent to prevent water from seeping into the chimney. Bricks and mortar absorb water, which can cause leaking. Water repellent allows for the brick or mortar to keep water out while still letting the materials breathe. Therefore, it is important to use a water repellent and not a sealer, which will trap moisture created inside the chimney in the bricks or mortar and cause further damage. ChimneySaver’s Water Repellent does the job by blocking 99.9 percent of water from penetrating the bricks or mortar of your chimney while still being 100 percent vapor permeable, or letting your chimney breathe. Professionals at Hudson Chimney can also install chimney caps or chimney pans to prevent water from entering your chimney.
Repair your leaky chimney, and you will save yourself time and money as well as ensure your chimney’s longevity.
