Chimney Care Company's Blog

We Offer Many Chimney Repair Services

Although a chimney probably seems like the strongest structure in your home, it can still be affected by the natural effects of weathering. Wind, hot sun, and precipitation can wreak havoc on this

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sturdy structure, and other things can as well. Other types of natural disasters can occur. At times, hurricane winds and precipitation from the east coast can reach as far as Ohio, and this can alter normal weather patterns. Tornadoes aren’t as likely, but can still occur. Flooding and forest fires don’t normally take place in Ohio, either, but they do sometimes happen. Most likely, though, is the possibility of severe ice and snow storms. When these things happen, your chimney can undergo major damage.

Interior Damage

When you hire Chimney Care Co., one thing we’ll check out is the interior of your chimney. We’ll be looking for creosote build-up and damage from an undetected chimney fire. Creosote is the natural by-product of smoke as it flows up the cool interior of your chimney. It is highly flammable and can easily catch a spark from your fire and cause a chimney fire. Although it may seem that you’d know if there was a chimney fire, most often they go undetected because there’s not enough oxygen in the chimney to make the fire get too big. If this is the case, your chimney or the chimney liner may have sustained some damage that needs to be repaired, and we are experts at fixing this type of damage.

We’ll also check for any interior damage to your fireplace or hearth. We’ll check the dampers and the firebox, and also the condition of any brickwork in the hearth. We’ll make sure that the smoke shelf is in good condition and that the ash pit is clear and not rusted.

Exterior Damage

We’ll also look at the exterior of your chimney to make sure that the structure is intact. We’ll check the condition of the brick and mortar, and the condition of the chimney crown and cap. The chimney crown should be crack and chip-free and the chimney cap should be rust-free and not dented or twisted so that your chimney and home stay leak-free. Another thing that keeps precipitation out of your home is the flashing. The flashing is the metal strips that are layered at the place where the chimney and the roof meet. This is a spot that is especially susceptible to leaks, and the layering of these strips direct precipitation away from it. The flashing can easily rust, become loose, or tear-away in the wind, and we’ll make sure it is in good condition and firmly attached.

Call Chimney Care Co. 

At Chimney Care Co., we specialize in all things chimney. We can make all the above-mentioned repairs, and can also take care of other things as well. We might suggest such repair work as tuckpointing or chimney sealing. No matter what the repair job, you can rest assured that we offer the top service in the area. If you’re looking for great chimney service, give us a call today.

Chimney masonry and brick repair

Is the look of your chimney bringing down your home’s curb appeal and value? Over time, chimney masonry can deteriorate, causing your home to look old and in disrepair. On top of that, dilapidated chimney masonry can put your home at risk for water damage. The unsightly cracked and crumbling masonry can allow water to seep into your home through your chimney. If your chimney’s masonry is showing signs of wear, it’s time to address your deteriorating chimney masonry with masonry and brick repair. The chimney masonry experts at the Chimney Care Co. can help! We can restore your chimney with masonry and brick repair; we deal with common repairs, as well as will full-on chimney rebuilds to restore your chimney’s look and function.

Tuckpointing

Stones and bricks can last for decades. Often, the mortar that holds the bricks and stones together breaks down long before the bricks or stones. Crumbling chimney mortar looks unsightly and can degrade the look of your home. Crumbling masonry also opens up the opportunity for water to enter into the chimney. Over time, that water can further degrade the mortar and the masonry. If crumbling chimney mortar is let go for too long, it can even compromise the strength of your chimney structure. Fortunately, there is an easy fix for crumbling chimney mortar: Tuckpointing. Tuckpointing involves removing the old, softened chimney mortar and replacing it with a fresh coat of mortar. This restores the strength of the chimney and freshens its look.

Chimney crown repair

Like chimney mortar, the chimney crown often breaks down before other masonry materials. Chimney crowns will break down especially quickly if the crown was constructed from the wrong type of material, which happens more frequently than it should. Cracks in the chimney crown allow water to enter the top of your chimney. From there, it can damage your chimney flue or even seep into the surrounding layers of your home, causing mold or rot. Rebuilding your chimney crown can help protect your chimney and your home from water damage.

Full or partial chimney rebuilds

If water is allowed to damage chimney masonry for too long, the damage can become so severe that chimney reconstruction is in order. A part or all of your chimney might need to be reconstructed if the bricks, stones, and mortar have cracked and crumbled to form an unsightly and irreparable mess, or if they have degraded to the point that the chimney structure is no longer sound and poses a danger to the home.

Don’t let your damaged chimney masonry go unaddressed; call the chimney masonry experts at the Chimney Care Co.! We can assess your chimney’s masonry to determine what type of repair is needed, and we can repair your chimney’s masonry to restore the look and function of your chimney and to save your home’s curb appeal.

Does Your Chimney Need a New Chase Top?

One of the greatest benefits of a prefabricated chimney system, particularly a gas-burning one, is the low maintenance factor. Often, homeowners forget that their easy-to-use prefabricated hearths require some regular care, and often the care these systems need is a new chimney chase cover. Neglecting your chase top can lead to serious problems for your chimney and your home. But what is a chimney chase top and how does it protect your chimney system? How do you know if your chimney requires a new chimney chase cover?

Your chimney chase top serves as a lid to your chimney system. It encloses the very top of your chimney, leaving room for individual flues to exit your home while providing a seal for the chimney. It keeps water, debris and animals from entering your home’s prefabricated chimney. If your chimney chase top is in decaying and in need of replacement, it can allow water, animals, and debris to enter your chimney, where they can cause serious damage over time. If your chimney chase top needs to be replaced, your chimney sweep should alert you during your annual chimney sweeping and inspection. Your chimney also might be sending you some signs that your chase cover needs to be replaced, such as:

Rust Stains

Most chimney chase covers are made of metal, or more specifically, steel. The first sign of breakdown for these metal chimney chase covers is usually rust. You might be able to spot rust forming on your chimney chase cover, or you might notice brownish-orange streaks or rust streaming down the sides of your chimney from the chase cover. While the rust itself isn’t a danger, rust means your chimney chase cover is breaking down. Eventually, your rusting chimney chase cover will form holes that can let water or animals access your chimney and cause damage.

Water Entering Your Home

Water enters your chimney through holes and cracks in the chase cover. You might notice water pooling on your fireplace floor, rust forming on your fireplace doors or grates, or water spots forming on your walls or ceiling. Address signs of water entering your home immediately, as they can cause major damage to your chimney and your home’s infrastructure.

Water Pooling on the Chase Cover

Some chase covers have been improperly constructed and for that reason alone need to be replaced. An improperly constructed chimney chase cover doesn’t do its job of diverting water away from the chimneys opening. Instead, it can allow water to flow back into your chimney flue or pool on top of the chase cover.

If you think you need a chimney chase cover replacement, don’t wait to call! A damaged or deteriorating chimney chase cover can lead to severe water damage. This can obviously cost you serious time and money in repairs in the future. If you need a new chimney chase cover, call the Chimney Care Co. to schedule your appointment today!

What is a chimney chase top? Does it need to be replaced?

Homeowners who love to use their fireplaces are usually well versed on the workings and construction from their chimneys on the inside. However, what’s happening with the chimney above the firebox is often a mystery, until they hear that the upper portion of their chimney requires some repair. One common chimney component maintenance issue with prefabricated fireplaces is the chimney chase cover. But what is the chimney chase top? And what kind of maintenance or repair could it need?

What is a chimney chase top?

You probably know that your chimney offers a direct route out of your home. That makes it an easy entryway for water, animals, and debris. A prefabricated chimney is made up of parts of factory-made wood, gas or pellet fireplace. A prefabricated chimney chase cover protects the chimney from the outside elements. Regardless of the outer material of your chimney, the chimney chase cover is a metal topper for the chimney. It’s slopped to divert the flow of water, ice or melting snow. A center opening allows smoke out, while an attached chimney cap prevents water from flowing down the opening.

Does my chimney chase cover need to be replaced?

In a prefabricated chimney system, the chimney chase cover is usually the first element to break down. Water pools on the chase cover, rust forms and holes and cracks develop. Because most contractors default to a galvanized steel chase cover, that breakdown can happen in a matter of years. If your chimney chase cover has developed holes, it should be replaced to prevent water from coming down your chimney or leaking into your home’s structure and causing damage. Aside from examining your chimney chase cover from the roof, signs your chimney chase cover needs to be replaced include:

• water in your fireplace,
• a damp smell emanating from the chimney,
• water leaking down the walls or ceiling around your chimney,
• and rust streaking down the sides of your chimney outside your home.

Of course, your chimney sweep will inspect your chase cover during your annual sweeping and inspection and let you know if your chase cover is deteriorating.

What are my options for replacing my chimney chase top?

If your chimney chase cover is failing and needs to be replaced, you’ll have a few options. The recommendation most chimney experts will give is to choose a stainless steel chimney chase cover. They are durable and long-lasting. For homeowners who want a durable chimney chase cover that adds style to their home, copper chimney chase covers are another popular choice. If you’ve noticed water coming in through your chimney, or need your cover replaced call Chimney Care Co. to schedule an appointment today! We can fit your chimney with a durable chimney chase top that will protect your chimney and home from water damage for years to come.

Protect your chimney with waterproofing

Your chimney is out there to face all of the elements. Weather, particularly moisture, can be incredibly damaging to your chimney. In fact, the Chimney Safety Institute of America has dubbed water a chimney’s worst enemy and encourages homeowners to do all they can to protect their chimneys from moisture.  At The Chimney Care Co., we recommend our customers consider waterproofing to help protect their chimneys — and their homes — from water damage.

Water’s damaging effects on your chimney

The biggest danger from water comes as a result of the freeze-thaw cycle. When water hits the sides of your chimney, weather from rain, snow or ice, your chimney’s porous masonry soaks up some of that water. When temperatures drop, the water inside the chimney’s walls freezes and expands, causing cracking and crumbling. Over time, the constant freezing and thawing of the water inside your chimney’s masonry can break down your chimney’s structure and compromise your chimney’s ability to contain flames, heat and smoke.
Moisture can damage your chimney and fireplace in other ways, as well. Water that finds its way into your flue can mix with creosote and cause an unpleasant smell to fill your home. The water also can lead to rusted dampers, fireplace doors and dampers, or cracked flue tiles. If the water seeps into your home’s structure, it can cause damage to your home, including stained ceilings, sagging wallboard and rotting joists.

How waterproofing can protect your chimney

One of the most effective ways to protect your chimney is with a waterproofing treatment. A waterproofing application prevents your chimney’s masonry from soaking in nearly 100 percent of water. At the same time, it allows your chimney’s masonry to “breathe,” so any moisture doesn’t become trapped in the chimney’s walls, and the smoke and gases from your fireplace can still exit your chimney normally. Most chimney waterproofing applications come with a five to 10 year guarantee for protecting your chimney.

Other ways to protect your chimney

There are other steps you should be taking to keep water from damaging your chimney and fireplace. As part of your annual chimney sweeping and inspection, you should ask your chimney sweep about the state of three important chimney components.

A secure chimney cap prevents water from flowing down your chimney’s flue. A properly formed chimney crown that is free from cracks or damage helps protect the outer walls of your chimney from precipitation and directs water away from your chimney’s opening. You also will want to check your chimney’s flashing — the metal barrier around your chimney’s base — to make sure it isn’t corroded or cracked.

If you’re concerned about water’s effects on your chimney, or if you’ve noticed early signs of water damage, call the chimney experts at The Chimney Care Co. We can talk to you about waterproofing and other ways to protect your chimney from water damage. We also can inspect your chimney for signs of water damage and help you detect and repair any problems.