Brick Chimney Repair

Repairing your chimney can be a chore. It doesn't have to be. If you know anything about chimneys, you can do it yourself, but most people will want to seek out the services of a fine contractor. In any case, there are a few things you ought to know about caring for and maintaining your chimney. First of all, much use will give your chimney a natural carbon buildup over time, and that will need to be cleaned out from time to time. A chemical log that you can burn on your firewood grate will safely and effectively clean away most of the debris from your chimney.

If necessary, you can get up under it afterward and gently scrape away whatever is left using a spade or other blunt tool. If your bricks are starting to break and fall apart, you will need to replace some of those. This can be done, but you need to be careful not to cause damage to the bricks that are still intact in the process. One of the reasons for hiring a specialist is that he knows how to treat the undamaged portion of your chimney with care.

For the most part, keeping and maintaining a chimney is straightforward and easy. Only when there is a fair amount of damage done will you need to be concerned with a complete and thorough maintenance job on your chimney, such as replacing old bricks with new ones that can be mortared in with the old ones, and cleaning soot, carbon, and gunk away from the body of the chimney as well as the floor.

The exterior portion of your chimney is even more subject to damage, as it is constantly exposed to the elements, which, if you live in a winter climate, includes the expanding and contracting of the bricks during the winter months, and branches falling on it or into it. Over time, these outer bricks will need replaced, too, and the effects of the heat from the fires will affect this part of the chimney as well, though perhaps not as much because it is a good distance from the flames.

Nevertheless, a good carbon cleaning will be in order for the top of your chimney from time to time as well. An expert at chimney repair who comes certified and charges fair prices is your best bet for repairing and maintaining your brick chimney.