The winters in WNY are famous around the country. Heavy snow and ice can make winter feel even longer. At Select Construction Company, we take the steps necessary to protect our customers’ chimneys through chimney repairs before the winter season begins.
Winter is full of freezing and thawing cycles, which can wreak havoc on chimneys that are made of brick and mortar. If you have not had the chimney on your home repaired for many years, then your chimney is likely damaged due to the extreme weather condition of winter. This damage can include gaps or cracks in the mortar or eroding chimney bricks! If these issues are not addressed by professionals, then moisture issues will continue to get worse and worse each year.
The team at Select Construction Company won’t let that happen. As true professionals, we will check your chimney before the real winter weather hits and see if any moisture has occurred. Then if we see any damage, we’ll get to work.
We have a list of a few ways that water penetration can cause damage to your chimney, which include:
- Collapsing or tilting on your chimney
- Staining of the exterior of your chimney
- Damage to central heating and cooling systems
- Clogging of the clean-out area of the fireplace
There are a few problem areas that are common for those who do not maintain their chimney well, like if the mortar joints have deteriorated, or if there is damage to the chimney crown or to flashing. Don’t let ice and snow damage your home’s chimney. Moisture problems will only progress and get worse, too, if they aren’t dealt with.
At the first sight of damage, call Select Construction Companyfor chimney repairs. And stay warm this winter season!
If you’re a local Western New Yorker, then you know how quickly Buffalo’s weather can change.All throughout Amherst, Buffalo, Cheektowaga, Clarence, East Aurora, Lancaster, and Orchard Park, NY; the weather can be extreme.Because of the weather, there are certain times of the year that are simply a no go when it comes to any kind of home improvement services. Based on which type of masonry work you’re looking to have done, the best time of year will vary. However, if you notice significant damage to your concrete or chimney, it is not recommended that you try and wait it out as things can quickly escalate.
Best Time for Chimney
Repairs
The optimal time for chimney repair is either during the Spring, once all the snow has melted, or in the Fall before we’ve had any snowfall. During these seasons, the weather tends to be more moderate and predictable. You should never repair your chimney in the winter unless you absolutely have to. By performing chimney repairs before the cold seasons, you can ensure that the repair job is done safely and effectively. This will also give you time to make sure your chimney is clean and safe to use before the winter. If you notice your chimney is damaged in the fall, be sure to schedule an appointment for chimney repairs as soon as possible. Once Winter comes, it could be challenging for masonry contractors to get on your roof, and the damage on your chimney will worsen with the snow.
Best Time for Repointing & Tuckpointing
Because tuckpointing involves removal of old mortar and then filling it in with new, color matched mortar, timing is everything. While most masonry projects do best in warm weather, repointing and tuckpointing are best done when it’s colder outside. The ideal temperatures to perform a tuckpointing job are between 8 and 30 degrees, with no precipitation. This is because after the mortar has been removed and refilled, the job is only completed once the mortar has been cured. Since each job is different and highly dependent upon weather conditions, curation time can vary.
When to Contact a Masonry Contractor?
At the first sign damage to your masonry, you should contact a masonry contractor. Even if you are in a non-ideal season, a masonry contractor can add you to their schedule. This way your project can have priority, and you won’t have to worry about a masonry contractor’s schedule being full. Plus, depending on the severity of your situation, masonry restoration must be done sooner rather than later.
Give the masonry contractors at Select Construction Company a call today to get a head start on your next masonry project in Buffalo! The longer you wait for masonry restoration, the worse the problem will be. At Select Construction Company, we can take care of brick porch repair, brick building repair, chimney repair, and other masonry restoration projects. If you are in the Amherst, Buffalo, Cheektowaga, Clarence, East Aurora, Lancaster, or Orchard Park, NY area, we can help. Our masonry contractors can restore your brick, and you can have beautiful, stable brick again.