If you find that there is an excessive buildup of creosote in your chimney the solution lies in the capable hands of a chimney sweep. If however, the bricks or mortar in your chimney have deteriorated the solution lies in the capable hands of masonry contractors in Oak Park.
Chimney problems:
Besides taking a lightning hit, which actually is quite common, chimneys are susceptible to deterioration. This is not uprising as they are exposed to all kinds of weather all year round even when there is no fire in the fireplace. Of all possible brick repairs around a house, chimney repairs top the list.
* Deterioration: Over time, bricks and mortar have a tendency to deteriorate, this is especially true for antique and adobe bricks which were not hard fired when manufactured. Hard fired brick can last a century or more, antique brick may begin to deteriorate much quicker. As brick goes through a never ending cycle of freeze and thaw the brick begins to separate from the hardened face. Mortar can deteriorate as well, a great deal has to do with the original materials and method used when the chimney was first built.
* Crown damage: Chimneys are often capped with a mortar crown, this is not a good practice but it is one which is common. This mortar shrinks cracks and quickly breaks up; the result is a void at the top of the chimney that allows the entry of water. When the water freezes and expands bricks can come loose or begin to deteriorate. A well constructed chimney crown will be built up from poured cement, not mortar and finished with a custom made cap.
* Chimney caps: Chimneys need to be topped with a cap, the cap acts as a spark arrestor and keeps water from entering the flue liner which in turn can damage the interior of the chimney as well as the fireplace below. The cap also keeps birds, small animals and debris from entering the flue.
Highly skilled masonry contractors in Oak Park can replace bricks and mortar joints that have deteriorated over the years, repair a failed crown and replace or repair chimney caps.
Stay tuned with Domain Url for more information about Chimney Problems and its Solutions, also like our Facebook page for more help.
