Clean Sweeps of Michigan's Blog

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!

3 Ways Water Damages Chimneys

Water is the source of life, but not for chimneys. It can cause deterioration and different kinds of issues. See to it that water doesn’t seep in and cause problems.

If your chimney springs a leak (or 10), it will quickly respond by beginning to deteriorate. That is why those of us at Clean Sweeps & Air Duct Cleaners of Michigan recommend doing your best to prevent chimney leaks and responding as soon as possible if you or your chimney sweep have detected a leak. Why? Chimney leaks can be very costly to repair because they quickly spread to adjacent areas like walls, ceilings, and floors and because they grow exponentially worse over time.

Unfortunately, even well-built chimneys may eventually leak. The key to preventing this is regular maintenance—we recommend annual inspections and sweepings—which will ensure that your chimney receives regular attention from a C.S.I.A. trained professional. Our chimney sweeps actually utilize a 25-Point Leak Inspection process to identify the source of the leak and locate any damage that may have been done.

There are many ways in which water can attack the efficiency, safety, and performance of your chimney, including the three following:

Water destroys chimney masonry.

We have seen moisture have numerous negative effects on chimney brick and order, including gapping, spalling, cracking, staining, and crumbling. Once needed masonry repairs have been made, we recommend applying a waterproofing agent to your chimney to keep it protected and sealed in future years.

Water cracks or rusts important components.

If a chimney component such as a cap, damper, or flashing was improperly installed or if an inferior material was used, it may have rusted or broken, allowing water into the chimney. Often times we can repair faulty components, though we may need to completely replace a part if the quality is not good.

Water creates mold and/or mildew.

The existence of damp, musty odors is a pretty sure sign that your chimney has become the unwitting home to mold or mildew, which notoriously destroys the surfaces where it takes root. Mold can also be harmful to your health, not to mention foul smelling. Mostly, though, mold in or around your chimney indicates the presence of water, which can only mean that damage is already taking place in your chimney and will likely grow worse.

Our technicians at Clean Sweeps & Air Duct Cleaners of Michigan will be able to quickly and correctly detect the source of your leak and repair it for the long haul so that you can get back to using your chimney with confidence. Have a leaky chimney and live in the Jackson or Ann Arbor area? Call us today at 517-783-4560 if you live in Jackson or 734-668-4780 if you live in Ann Arbor.