Our Company Blog

Chimney Masonry Damage and Repair

Your chimney may be the most important system in your home or business. While the fireplace creates a welcoming ambiance to family, guests, and customers, it is the job of the chimney to keep the building safe, the air unpolluted, and allowing the fire to burn effectively. Your chimney is not only a working system, but it can also be a great cosmetic asset to your property. A long winter can bring lots of damages to the masonry, which will affect the working condition of the chimney and how it looks! If you have masonry damage, it’s time to schedule repairs.Chimney Masonry Damage & Repair - Smithtown NY - Chief Chimney Services, Inc.

Common Masonry Damage

At Chief Chimney Services, we’ve spent the last three decades serving a large area of Suffolk County, Long Island, and New York. Our customers endure long, harsh winters – mineral corrosion due to proximity to the ocean and more. When spring arrives, we receive multitudes of calls about chimney inspections and visual damages that need to be addressed. We always make these repairs promptly, because a small amount of damage today can develop into a devastating structural damage rather quickly.

  • Spalling Masonry – When the mortar of a chimney becomes cracked, it gives space for water to enter and damage the masonry from the inside out. Our solution for spalling masonry is a process called tuckpointing or repointing, in which we remove the affected mortar and bricks, replacing them with new mortar of equal strength, consistency, and color as the existing mortar. This will ensure the repaired masonry is strong and long-lasting. And you will end up with not only a safe but a beautiful chimney!
  • Chimney Leaks – Oftentimes, a chimney leak isn’t noticeable until spring when temperatures begin to rise, which causes the water in the chimney to thaw and move through the masonry. A chimney leak can damage more than just the chimney, but it can also cause ruined walls, floors, furniture, and more! At Chief Chimney Services, we are capable of  diagnose your chimney leaks, repair the damage, and stop the leak! Many chimney sweeping companies, general contractors, and handymen will repair the damage, failing to fix the root of the problems. We repair your leak and then waterproof the chimney for good measures.
  • Flue Fire, Animal Intrusion, Liner Damage – You may have liner damage if you’ve had a flue fire, if an animal has occupied your chimney, or if you’ve noticed pieces of clay tile in your fireplace. If your masonry feels hot to the touch, you may also have a problem with the liner. At Chief Chimney Services, we specialize in chimney relining. We can either replace your liner completely or reline the flue with HeatShield Cerfractory Flue Sealant, the most innovative method to restore or repair your chimney flue.

Whether your chimney damage is a result of a fire, a storm, an earthquake, or merely wear-and-tear over time, Chief Chimney Services can get it back into top shape this spring. Scheduling in the spring means you’ll have plenty of time for an inspection and necessary repairs to get it ready to go for fall. Don’t let spring showers or summer humidity do further damage to your masonry – call Chief Chimney Services at 631-863-2460 or make an appointment online!

By John Pilger on April 10th, 2018 | Tagged with: Tags: , , | Comments Off on Chimney Masonry Damage and Repair

Have Your Heating System Inspected After Cold Weather

Spring has sprung in Suffolk County! While you are busy breaking out your shorts and sandals and prepping your home for outdoor entertaining with family and friends, make sure your spring cleaning checklist includes having your chimney and heating system inspected. We had a long, cold winter this year and the type of weather we endured can take its toll on your chimney. At Chief Chimney Services we are happy to come to your home and do a thorough chimney inspection.

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Why Have Your Chimney Inspected After Winter?

During winter a lot of things are happening outside that can affect what happens to your chimney on the inside. For example, when the weather freezes and thaws, this can cause the mortar in your chimney to expand and contract. The result of expanding mortar is often cracked and broken bricks inside your chimney.

A lot of simple masonry damage can remedied with some tuckpointing once the weather breaks. A professional chimney company can come to your home and tuckpoint, or force fresh mortar into the joints of your bricks in order to preserve the integrity of the chimney and prevent further breakage.

Another way winter weather can take its toll on your chimney is by water damage. If your chimney has not been properly capped, or if your chimney cap is broken then you may notice some water damage inside your chimney. Water can cause creosote build-up and can cause your fireplace or woodstove to work ineffectively. Having your chimney inspected after the long winter months can make sure any water damage is not extensive and can also remedy the problem before it becomes too serious.

During winter months, critters like birds and squirrels look for any place warm and dry to call home. Your chimney may have become home to these types of pests when the cold weather was here, and a professional chimney inspection and sweeping can remove these critters so they don’t wreak havoc on your chimney.

Hiring A Certified Chimney Sweep

The best way to prevent chimney damage is to have a professional, certified chimney sweeping company come to your home and take a look at your chimney. CSIA certified chimney sweeps are held to the highest educational standards in order to offer premium chimney sweeping services. Our certified chimney sweeps will come to your home and provide a thorough inspection and sweeping of your chimney just in time for the warm weather. Some things our technicians look for include:

  • Rusting components such as dampers and flues
  • Sticks, leaves and other debris
  • Bird and squirrel nests
  • Brick and mortar damage
  • Shifting chimney structures

Contact Chief Chimney Services in Suffolk County today for more information about how we can inspect your chimney and fireplace as part of your spring cleaning. Tackling chimney care as part of your home maintenance can keep the integrity of your chimney intact, which can make starting fires in your wood-burning heating appliance that much easier next winter. Call the professionals and have your chimney inspected and swept by the best in the business today.

By John Pilger on May 6th, 2015 | Tagged with: Tags: , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Have Your Heating System Inspected After Cold Weather