Your masonry chimney is built to last a lifetime, but nothing is harder on it than cold weather. While the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) has named water as the biggest enemy of masonry chimneys. Cold weather is what makes water do so much damage. How exactly does cold weather do so much destruction? Ace Chimney Sweeps has been working on chimneys in the Elkton, Maryland area for over 20 years, and we have received certifications and training from the CSIA as chimney sweeps. We know exactly how cold weather causes damage to masonry chimneys. More importantly, we know how to repair this damage and protect your chimney from further deterioration in the years to come.
What does cold weather do to masonry chimneys?
Masonry materials are naturally porous, and this means that they absorb water. Since the bricks and mortar of your chimney are exposed to the elements, they absorb quite a bit of water every time it rains or snows. Some of this water becomes trapped inside the bricks and mortar joints, and major damage can occur when the weather gets cold. Whenever the temperature falls below 32 degrees Fahrenheit, any moisture trapped inside the masonry materials freezes and expands. As the weather warms up, the water thaws.
The force of the water thawing can cause the bricks and mortar joints to crack, break apart, and even become loose and fall from the chimney structure. Repeated freeze/thaw cycles can seriously jeopardize the condition of your chimney’s structure. You should have this type of damage repaired as soon as possible. Neglecting this damage will allow it to become worse. Ace Chimney Sweeps has even seen chimneys collapse because of not having this damage repaired in a timely manner.
How can Ace Chimney Sweeps repair my damaged chimney masonry?
Our skilled chimney masonry technicians can replace damaged bricks and mortar joints to restore your chimney to work safely and efficiently again. We will ensure that the structure of your chimney is sound with no chance of collapsing. We will also take care to mix the mortar properly so that it matches the color, consistency, and composition of the existing mortar. No one will be able to tell that repair work has been performed! Our masonry repair services come with a five-year warranty, so you can have confidence in our work. We can also protect your chimney from cold weather damage by waterproofing your chimney. This will keep water out of the bricks and mortar so that it cannot freeze and expand within during future winters.
Don’t let cold weather damage your chimney to the point of collapsing! Contact us at Ace Chimney Sweeps to learn more about our masonry repair services today.