Chimney repairs
The fireplace at home is an extra feature that is present at the top of the roof. These masonry fireplaces are the spot of wood-burning and gas. If there are cracks in the bricks and if mortar gets damaged, it means your chimney is about to collapse.
Making up the cracks in the chimney will save you from huge expenses and protect your family from any mishap. In the summer, cracks are formed; they begin big in the next season. If the chimney cracks will be left untreated, it will move towards a big accident. The cracks will get deeper inside, and rain, snow, and other things move inside and affect the working of the chimney.
Tools required for chimney repair
Following are some of the tools that we used while repairing the chimneys.
- Joint Paker
- Tuck Pointing tool
- Ladder
- Masonry chisel
- Hammer
- Pointing trowel
- Wire brush
- Putty knife
- Garden hose
- Caulk gun
- Paintbrush
- Safety glasses
In addition to the tools and equipment’s, the following are the materials that we used in the repairing process:
- High-heat mortar
- Latex gloves
- Mortar
- Clean rags
- Masonry sealer
Series of instructions for chimney repair
Following are some of the instructions that don’t need for the repairing process. The minor chimney damage is repaired by brief work. The severe damage is first examined thoroughly and then a complete workout plan is designed for effective output.
Mortar repair
The mortar is softer material as compared to the bricks that is why they crumble first and start to deteriorate. The mortar damage first and then bricks get affected. So tuc pointing and repointing are done to remove the damaged mortar and replace it with a new one.
Seal the gaps between chimney flue and crown
A caulk gun and tube of high heat mortar are used to fill the gap between these two points. The reason is, this is the point from where the water enters inside and flows down the sides of the flue. Before sealing the gap, remove all the dirt, mosses from the point with the help of a wire brush.
Treatment of the large cracks in the large crown area
The cracks formed in the crown area cause many difficulties in treatment as compared to the vertical section of the chimney. The water, snow, and ice are present there and move inside from this point. If the ratio of cracks is 1:4 then it also becomes the source of moisture entrance. They are treated with a mixture of pre-mixed cement and mortar. It is applied by squeezing the bottle, which forces the material into the cracks. This can also be done with the help of some putty knife.
Hair-line crack treatment
The hairline crack is also treated by the application of thick sealant with the help of a brush. The area is treated with a knife and scrapes to remove all the dust particles so that sealant will place inside properly.
Repair of bricks
Small cracks present in some bricks are treated easily with high heat mortar and caulk guns. In the case of severe damage, we cleaned the cracks first with a knife or screwdriver to remove any particles. The mortar is placed to fill the cracks with the help of gloves and squeezing the bottle. In this way, the mortar moves inside and fills the cracks, and prevents them to expand.