Select Construction Company Blog

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.

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.

It’s no secret that winters in Buffalo can be unpredictable. One thing that is for sure, is that every winter we are bound to be hit with Lake Effect Snow from Lake Erie. Be prepared this winter by preparing your chimney for the winter season. Extreme cold and snow can damage your home’s chimney in a number of ways. Water damage, blockage in the flue from animals, and creosote buildup are some of the most common things that can damage your home if your chimney is not properly cared for.

One of the first things you can start with to prepare your chimney for the winter is to invest in an annual chimney inspection and cleaning. The inspection and cleaning process will help identify any serious issues or concerns that may be present prior to snowfall. After your chimney has been cleared and there are no problems, it’s recommended that you have a chimney cap installed. Chimney caps help keep out the elements of the weather in addition to any animals that might be looking for a home for the winter months.

Masonry repair work also helps to protect your chimney against WNY's cold season.  This is because temperature drops result in freeze-thaw cycles that often wreak havoc on the structural integrity of chimneys. The constant expansion and contraction of moisture within the masonry can lead to cracks, spalling, and deterioration. With the aid of a skilled masonry contractor, however, you can prevent these imperfections from growing into major problems. Go-to masonry repair options for chimneys include repointing mortar joints, replacing damaged bricks, and applying protective sealants. These services provide a layer of defense against water infiltration to avoid future issues. Do not compromise on safety when our professional masons are just a phone call away.

If you have concerns about how your chimney is holding up, turn to the masonry contractors at Select Construction Company to thoroughly inspect and clean it. No matter the severity of the damage, we have the proper knowledge and tools to handle all types of chimney repairs. Our team is proud to provide quality masonry repair services to homeowners across Buffalo, Amherst, Clarence, Lancaster, Orchard Park, East Aurora, NY and the surrounding communities. Contact us to schedule your next chimney repair services!