Clean Sweeps of Michigan's Blog

Spring Cleaning Includes Your Chimney, Too!

When the weather warms up in the spring, many of us have long to do lists for our homes! This year, don’t just focus on cleaning out closets or shampooing carpets – make sure to include your chimney on your spring cleaning list!

After a long winter of use, spring is the perfect time to have your chimney serviced. Whether you need a routine sweeping and inspection or more intensive masonry work, make sure your spring cleaning includes your chimney, too!

Was my chimney damaged over the winter?

Fall and winter are the heaviest use periods for your fireplace and chimney; because of this, it is also the time of year when they are most likely to be damaged. Below are two of the most common causes of winter chimney damage.

• Water damage. The bricks and mortar of your chimney are naturally porous, absorbing small amounts of water into the small holes on the surface. While these tiny droplets of water might not do much damage, during the winter they can freeze and expand. As the water thaw, this freeze-thaw process creates progressively larger and larger holes and cracks to appear. Regular chimney inspections or masonry waterproofing can help protect your chimney against water damage.
• Creosote buildup. One of the most common byproducts of combustion from fires is creosote. Creosote is produced in small amounts in all fuel-burning fires, but is created most in wood-burning fires; burning green wood or allowing fires to smolder at low temperatures can greater more creosote than other fires. Because creosote is highly flammable, it is important to have it removed by regular chimney sweepings.

Why spring is the best time for chimney service

Even though you won’t be using your chimney again for several months, spring is often the best time for chimney service. Annual preventative maintenance such as chimney sweepings and inspections can help keep your fireplace burning safely and efficiently all year long. Below are a few of the reasons why we recommend having your chimney serviced this spring.

•  No weather delays. Many masonry repairs cannot be done if the weather is too hot or too cold. Because of this, the mild spring temperatures are often perfect for having chimney repairs done.
• Easy to schedule appointments. Spring is generally considered to be the off season for chimney services. This means it is often easier to schedule appointments at convenient times or have services scheduled as soon as possible.
• Have your fireplace ready for fall. By having your chimney serviced in the spring, it will be ready to use again when temperatures cool off in the fall. This means there will be no delay in using your fireplace in the fall.

While you’re getting the rest of your house in shape for spring, don’t forget about your fireplace! Contact Clean Sweeps of Michigan to schedule your spring chimney services today.

Repairing Old Bricks and Mortar

Whether your chimney is 1, 10, or 100 years old, it is important that the masonry receives regular maintenance to look and perform its best. Unfortunately, even well cared for bricks and mortar can deteriorate over time due to age, damage, poor construction, or simple long term exposure to the elements.

Repairing old bricks and mortar can help extend the life of your chimney system – as well as keep your home’s exterior looking fresh. No matter the age of your masonry, keeping it maintained can have it looking new for years to come.

Why does my masonry need to be repaired?

Bricks and mortar are two of the strongest building materials available, built to withstand time and anything that Mother Nature can throw at it. Despite this, there are a number of factors that can cause masonry to deteriorate; below are three of the most common reasons why masonry needs to be repaired.

• Water damage: Exposure to moisture is one of the most damaging forces to most chimneys. Water damage can cause bricks of any age to chip, crack, or spall, but can be especially damaging to older masonry. While water damage to the bricks may be more noticeable, damage to mortar often occurs first; we find that many homes have damage to the mortar long before the bricks show any sign of deterioration. It is important to catch masonry damage – especially to the mortar – early before it impacts the structural stability of the chimney.
• Improper installation: The quality of materials used and how they are installed often make the biggest impact on how your masonry ages. For example, choosing the least expensive materials, using reclaimed or not locally sourced bricks, or not hiring a certified mason can all lead to chimney problems in the years to come.
• Settling: Settling is a natural part of any home aging; depending on the age of your home and how it was built, the effects of settling can range from barely affect the chimney to causing serious structural damage. One common sign of damage caused by settling is large cracks inside the firebox; settling can also cause cracks in the exterior chimney or the entire chimney to list or tilt to one side.

Repairing damaged masonry

Having a damaged chimney doesn’t mean it needs to be torn down; there are a number of masonry repair services that can be used to save and restore your damaged chimney.

•  Tuckpointing: Tuckpointing is one of the most common – and effective – chimney masonry repairs. During the tuckpointing process, old mortar is carefully removed before new mortar is applied. Our masonry experts take the time to match the colors of the new masonry to the old, ensuring the repaired areas blend right in with the rest of the chimney.
• Rebuilds: Unfortunately, if damage is serious enough the chimney may need to be rebuilt. While most homeowners cringe at the thought of the cost, task, and time required by a rebuild, having the chimney rebuilt as soon as possible can allowing you to use your fireplace again without worrying about structural safety.

  No matter what state your masonry is currently in, Clean Sweeps of Michigan can get it back to looking beautiful again. Contact us today to learn more about what can do to repair your old bricks and mortar!