Homes and businesses with fireplaces offer a sense of charm. They bring back cozy memories and become a gathering spot for the family during the winter months. Despite the popularity of modern, electric fireplaces, many homeowners still make use of their original chimneys. If you regularly use your chimney, it is important to get it inspected regularly. Routine inspections will help you prevent costly repairs and can help spot problems before they turn into bigger, costly problems.
As seasoned professionals in the masonry field, the team at Select Construction Company, serving the Buffalo, Amherst, Clarence, Cheektowaga, Lancaster, Orchard Park, and East Aurora, NY areas, has outlined five warning signs that you may need to repair your chimney.
- Exterior - White Chimney Stains.
Is your chimney’s exterior looking a little dusty?
Those white stains are called efflorescence. Cleaning off the residue is easy,
but it points to a larger problem: excess moisture.
- Exterior - Deteriorated Chimney Crown.
Way up at the top of your chimney is
something called a chimney crown. Over time, the crown may crack or become
damaged. Chimney crowns protect your chimney from outdoor elements. If it’s
cracked, water can get in, leading to moisture buildup.
- Exterior - Damaged Mortar Joints.
If you look at your chimney and see missing
pieces of mortar joints, you’re in for more moisture issues. If water gets into
the mortar cracks in the winter, it can freeze, and cause larger structural
cracks down the line.
- Interior - Shaling.
Do you see bits of chimney
tile in your fireplace? This means the flue tiles are cracked and flaking. Your
flue lining should be replaced.
- Interior - Ruined Wallpaper.
Is the wallpaper
near your chimney and fireplace damaged? Because of moisture buildup in the
chimney, wallpaper can deteriorate.
If you notice any of these warning signs, reach out to the team at Select Construction Company. Our commercial construction company offers quality chimney repair and masonry services throughout Buffalo, Amherst, Clarence, Cheektowaga, Lancaster, Orchard Park, and East Aurora, NY. Whether you are looking for brick porch repairs, tuckpointing, masonry restoration, and more, look no further. We have the knowledge and experience needed to restore your building to its original state. Call us today for more information or to schedule services!
