The masonry chimney provides support, beauty, and protection for your family. Unfortunately, it can also be expensive to repair if you neglect it or ignore it for too long.

Here are the 4 indicators your chimney needs masonry repairs:

  1. The chimney crown is cracked or crumbling
  2. You see gaps between the bricks (missing mortar)
  3. The faces of bricks are falling off
  4. You have water leaks on the inside of your home, either running down the face of the brick or seeping out from the masonry

#1 The chimney crown is cracked or crumbling

The crown or top of the chimney is designed to help protect the chimney from absorbing water. Masonry, like brick and mortar, is porous and will absorb water. If the crown is cracked or crumbling, then rain water will be absorbed into the masonry work and can cause water damage inside your home as the water seeps out of the masonry work at a lower level. In addition, water that is absorbed into the brick then freezes can cause spalding (when the faces of brick pop off).

So if you notice any of these signs, don’t hesitate to call for repairs – it could save you!

#2 You see gaps between the bricks (missing mortar)

If you begin to see gaps forming between the bricks of your chimney, that’s another sign it could be in need of some masonry repairs. Missing mortar is a common entry point for significant volumes of water. Once the water gets into the brick, it will eventually come out somewhere. Often this means inside your home. Repointing these areas with fresh mortar will deny water this entry and strengthen the chimney structure as a whole.

#3 The faces of bricks are falling off

When the faces of the brick pop off, it is called spalding. This happens when the bricks absorb water and then freezing temperatures arrive. The freezing water expands and the pressure builds that eventually pops the face of the brick off.

#4 You have water leaks on the inside of your home, either running down the face of the brick or seeping out from the masonry

If you have water inside your home at your chimney, it may either be running down the face of the brick or coming out of the brick itself. The water running down the face of the brick usually points to a problem with the flashing at the point the roof connects to the chimney. The water coming out of the bricks points to water being absorbed by the brick above the roofline. Both issues are addressable.

Call Professionals To Fix Your Masonry Issues

If you are noticing any of these changes in your chimney, it’s time to call in the professionals for a masonry repair!

Now that you’ve been warned of the signs, we would advise you to keep an eye on your chimney, and if you see any of them, don’t hesitate to call us.

CLICK FOR FREE ESTIMATE