Outdoor repairs

The most common repair problem on an exterior masonry chimney is a cracked or deteriorating crown (the concrete on top of the chimney). Signs that may indicate a problem are white stains near the top on the brick of the chimney exterior, loose brick near the top or water leaks inside the firebox below.

Crown sealant or a new crown may be needed. If the problem goes undetected the chimney will begin to basically "unravel" from the top down. Water gets into the chimney interior and weakens the structure especially in the winter when the moisture will freeze.

Another type of repair found with masonry chimneys is related to the crown problem. The joints between the bricks begin to deteriorate and the mortar cracks or falls out. This is also related to water problems and it will also weaken a chimney structure.

Tuckpointing may be needed which is the process of replacing the mortar between the bricks of the chimney exterior. The joints have to be properly prepared by grinding out the old/loose mortar before the new mortar is inserted between the bricks.

A water repellant will greatly reduce or slow down the deteriorations of this type of damage but will not stop it completely. Water repellant is recommended for all masonry chimneys.

We add a water repellent and fortifier for strength to the tuckpointing mortar. The crown mix also contains these additives plus fiberglass reinforced fibers for additional strength in an effort for the repair to last as long as possible. However, one thing to remember is that these repairs are an addition to the chimney and are not original to the structure so they may not last as long as the original but should last a number of years.

At the roofline of masonry chimneys the flashing sealant or roofing tar can split, crack, or pull away from the chimney. This is a common problem, and occasionally needs to be sealed.