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A chimney is a common but often overlooked aspect of the home. Keeping up on chimney care and repairs will preserve the life of the structure and keep you from having to replace it. The following signs will alert you to when the chimney needs maintenance.

How to Tell Your Chimney Needs Maintenance

1. Crumbling or Spalling Bricks

When water enters brickwork, it can cause the masonry to peel, flake, or crumble. Salt can also cause such spalling — more of an issue in maritime climates. If you find pieces of masonry on the ground that have fallen from the chimney, it’s time for maintenance. Otherwise, the chimney will eventually deteriorate.

2. Damaged Mortar Joints

This issue is harder to spot, so ask your roof maintenance contractor to check the chimney when inspecting the roof. Cracked or crumbling mortar joints expose bricks to moisture, which can cause spalling. Eventually, the chimney could collapse if this issue isn’t repaired right away.

3. Rust

If your damper has become difficult to operate or you notice rust in the firebox, these can be signs that moisture is getting into the chimney. Water causes not only rust, but it can deteriorate or crack the flue tiles. A compromised flue is a fire hazard because excess heat transfers outside the flue.

chimney care4. Shaling

Shaling occurs when thin pieces of flue tile come off and end up at the bottom of the chimney. These pieces indicate a potentially compromised, and dangerous, flue liner. Ask your chimney sweep service to inspect the interior to look for cracks and shaling. A prudent, preventative chimney care decision is to replace the flue tiles with a stainless steel liner.

5. Damaged Chimney Crown

The crown, or top, of the chimney protects the interior of the structure from the elements, especially moisture. If it is cracked or damaged, this can allow water into the flue and cause rust, spalling, and shaling. Preventive maintenance includes weatherproofing the entire chimney to help prevent damage.

 

Regular chimney care will help you minimize or spot issues before the entire structure becomes compromised. Walter St. Clair Roofing, serving Greater Cincinnati, OH, offers chimney care; full-service roofing installation, repair, and replacement; and siding and gutter repair and installation. They’ve provided experienced, reliable service since 1923, earning an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau® and becoming ShingleMaster Company certified. Call (513) 641-3265 for a free estimate, or visit them online to see a full range of services.

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