Chimney Repair – How to Repair a Leaking Chimney
Chimneys may need to be repaired if they begin to leak. If you notice water at the base of your fireplace or see a rusted firebox or damper, you might need to have your chimney repaired. Water stains on walls and ceilings are also a sign of leakage. Damaged mortar joints can even cause your chimney to collapse. Call a professional Chimney Repair Charleston SC to help you assess the damage. If you notice any of these problems, call a chimney repair service.
While it is tempting to attempt to patch a leaking chimney yourself, this is a poor solution. Not only will it only require you to spend more money in the long run, but it will also cause more damage in the future. Instead, a chimney repair specialist will use a better restoration method – stitching. Stitching involves grinding out horizontal mortar joints and embedding steel rods. These rods act as reinforcement and hold the structure together.
To fix a cracked chimney crown, start by cleaning the crown. Typical crowns are covered in a half-inch layer of plain masonry cement. This type of cement does not have reliable bonding properties and will eventually crack over time. Water can then work its way into cracked crowns, causing the chimney to deteriorate. Once the crown is cleaned and prepared, it is time to apply new mortar. If the chimney is masonry, you must apply a breathable material, such as silicone caulk.
Chimney flashing replacement is another option. Oftentimes, faulty flashing is the culprit behind leaks. An experienced roofing repair company can replace shingles and counter flashing or repair the roof around the chimney. Flashing replacement can cost anywhere from $150 to $425, depending on the type of chimney and your roof. For more severe leakage, flashing replacement may be necessary. A chimney repair specialist will provide a quote for these repairs.
When it comes to chimney repair, the best way to avoid any major problems is to call a professional chimney sweep. Chimney repair professionals are highly trained to inspect your chimney flue lining with a special camera, which is important if you want to prevent a fire. Furthermore, they will make sure the chimney is working properly, which is essential to prevent the possibility of a house fire. If a chimney is not maintained properly, it can lead to a lot of damage, including costly repairs.
Repointing a chimney costs around $500, depending on the amount of mortar damage and how extensive the rebuilding needs to be. If the damage is only small, however, this process will cost less than a rebuild, and you’ll be able to save yourself about $3000 if it’s not too extensive. Tuckpointing, on the other hand, deals with aesthetics and repairs gaps in the mortar of your chimney. It uses two colors, white and red, which match the brickwork and mortar joints.
In case you don’t have a professional to perform the chimney repair, it’s a good idea to call a chimney cleaning company and see what kind of repairs are necessary. If the damage is too serious and requires a complete rebuild, then a roofline-up rebuild is the best solution. However, structural liability concerns can make it necessary to have a chimney replaced. Fortunately, repairing a chimney is much less expensive than a chimney replacement. Therefore, it’s important to have it inspected at least annually to ensure that it is functioning properly.
Getting a professional chimney sweep to inspect your chimney every year is a good idea. Soft woods like larch and ash tend to coat the chimney flue in soot, and green wood can produce a large amount of creosote and smoke. Regular inspections can catch smaller problems before they become bigger. This will prevent more expensive problems in the future. In fact, the chimney repair service will also provide you with an annual inspection to determine if it’s time for a chimney replacement.
Another option for chimney repair is to replace the damaged flue liner. While this can be done yourself for under $200, a full replacement can cost up to $3500. The cost of a new flue liner can range from $1,000 to $3,000 or more, depending on the size of your chimney and how many utility flues you have inside your home. If you have a metal flue liner installed, you won’t need chimney repair anytime soon.
For wood rot, the cost will be around $200 to $500 for a small spot on the chimney, and $1,000 to $2,000 for a larger area. Depending on the extent of the wood rot, replacing the entire chimney is necessary if it is structurally dangerous. Parging a chimney can cost anywhere from $2,500 to $3,500. This procedure coats the smoke chamber with mortar to increase safety and structural integrity and reduce creosote buildup.
