If you have a fireplace in your house, your chimney needs to be in perfect working condition at all times. Chimneys can last several years until maintained but time and several other factors can result in cracks, leaks, and damages. This means that you might need to rebuild your chimney, which might seem easy but is slightly complicated especially if you haven’t done it before. You or an expert should carry out a chimney inspection to figure out if the chimney needs a repair or a rebuild. If it needs to be rebuilt, follow this guide.

Common Chimney Issues

Before we dive into discussing the chimney rebuilding process, you must be aware of the common chimney issues. This helps you mentally prepare and be a step ahead once a particular type of complication pops up.

Cracks

The most common problem with chimneys is cracks. Cracks take place due to a variety of reasons. Plus, chimneys can also experience different types of cracks. For instance, chimney cracks also appear due to extreme weather fluctuations. This happens when the bricks regularly contract and expand. Since there is not much flexibility due to mortar and the nature of the bricks, cracks are prone to develop.

In other cases, cracks appear due to damage. Extreme weather conditions such as blizzards and thunderstorms can cause items and objects to fly mid-air and come in contact with the chimneys. Although chimneys are quite strong and can take a beating, if the objects or wind tends to be strong, there are chances the chimney will receive some damage.

Furthermore, chimney cracks can also take place due to leakage. If the chimney crown, flue liner, or other similar components tend to be damaged or faulty, water and moisture may escape inside the chimney. With time, the moisture will cause cracks in the chimney structure.

In the beginning, you might not be able to notice the cracks until they turn bigger and more serious. In this case, you will need to rebuild the chimney. Otherwise, if you can spot the cracks in the initial stages, you might be able to stop the cracks from worsening.

Water Penetration

Water penetration is another frustrating issue with chimneys that can be a bit tricky to control. Not only does water penetration cause structural damage and mold but also mixes with creosote to become acidic. This causes premature rusting of the damper and speeds up the deterioration process of the brick and mortar in your chimney.

You have to keep in mind that water can enter your chimney through the cracks in the crown or chimney itself. If you are not able to notice water penetration in the chimney, it will cause serious structural damage. The only way in such cases is to rebuild the chimney. If you’re only seeing mortar missing between the bricks, you can do chimney repointing, but if you want to be on the safe side, rebuild your chimney.

This is why experts suggest performing inspections and maintenance regularly. If climbing the roof each time is not an option, you should consult an expert. You might think spending a bit of money on professional maintenance is a waste but it does wonders in terms of keeping your chimney functioning smoothly for years.

Damaged Chimney Crown

The chimney crown happens to be the most important component of a chimney. It is located at the topmost part of the chimney as its primary objective is to protect the chimney from external factors. The chimney crown should be a downward slope to direct the water away from the flue edge.

A proper chimney should always be built by a professional who takes into account external factors such as the direction of the wind and rain etc. Even though both factors are not consistent in their direction, an expert will be able to build a chimney in such a way that it is protected and can withstand extreme weather conditions.

Because the chimney crown takes the most beating, it is equally important that it is inspected as well. You can ask a friend or a family member to lend you a helping hand and take a close look at the condition of the crown. Fortunately, replacing the crown is not that expensive and you should do it if you observe any unusual signs or symptoms. You can also hire professional services for chimney repair Columbia MD.

Chimney Deterioration

Both brick and mortar deteriorate over time. As mentioned earlier, chimneys can withstand quite a bit of time but sooner or later, they will need rebuilding as well. Keep in mind that chimneys comprise several different components such as caps, flue liners, etc.

With time, these components tend to weaken and damage. Chimney caps for instance keep rodents from intruding your chimney, especially during the winter season when they are looking for warm places.

If any of these components tend to be damaged or faulty, there is a high chance that water and moisture creep into the chimney and lead to major damage. On the other hand, if your chimney has simply deteriorated over time due to age, there is no other way but to rebuild it.

How To Build A Chimney?

Rebuilding a chimney is an easy process if you know the basics. Here’s is are the general steps.

Prepare The Working Area

The first thing you are going to do is prepare the working area, which means ensuring the area is free of obstacles or hazards. Make sure you wear safety equipment as well and ask a friend or a family member to lend you a helping hand as well.

At the same time, cover the surrounding area so that you do not end up damaging the tiles. Plus, make sure that you are secure and stable and have a good grip and balance while working on the chimney.

Remove The Bricks

Next, you will need to use a tool like a hammer to bring down the entire chimney structure. If your chimney is already crumbling and there are some loose bricks, you can remove them by hand. Make sure that no one is near that part of the roof.

The reason is that a brick or bricks may fall and result in serious head injuries. After removing the bricks, you should properly clean the area. Simply use a chemical cleaner to remove all the stubborn stains and mold.

Start Building

Now that the area is clear, you will need to start building the chimney by using fresh mortar and brick. Take your time and ensure the bricks are properly lined up. To make sure the bricks are aligned, use a level. After this, you will need to install a new cap, flue liner, and crown.

Opt for a steel cap and other components as they can withstand external factors a lot better. If you find the process complicated and time-consuming, which it is, you should hire an expert and get it done the right way. Building a chimney requires skills, expertise, and tools. Unless you have them, you should not experiment with building a chimney on your own.

Conclusion

In the end, building a chimney surely seems like an interesting process. But, considering that a lot is at stake, you should either have the required tools and skills or have a chimney contractor Ellicott City do it. Plus, you should also regularly inspect and maintain the chimney to prolong its lifespan. A few hundred bucks shouldn’t bother you if you are paying to keep certain complications away.