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by admin | Mar 18, 2019 | NJ Chimney Repair
You can’t always tell if you need Mercer County chimney repair services just by looking at your chimney. However, there are a few visible signs that repair may be needed. Since chimney safety is goes hand-in-hand with fire hazards, it’s crucial to become familiar with telltale signs of damage.
Signs You Need Mercer County Chimney Repair
Damaged Mortar Joints:
It may require a rooftop vantage point to spot, but damaged mortar joints between chimney masonry is an issue which should be handled ASAP. Failing mortar joints can mean accelerated damage to the chimney, since the condition exposes the bricks to greater amounts of moisture. When water gets into small cracks in the masonry, they can turn into large cracks, particularly as a result of freezing and thawing. Ultimately, if the problem isn’t addressed, the chimney could collapse.
Rusted Damper or Firebox:
Signs of moisture in a chimney or fireplace are red flags that the chimney isn’t operating the way it should. Rust is one clue that there is too much moisture, and you may see rust in the firebox or on the damper. You’ll know to take a close look at the damper if it becomes difficult to operate or if it isn’t sealing properly. Moisture in the chimney causes rusting that can create numerous problems, including causing flue tiles to crack. A cracked or deteriorated flue lining is highly dangerous, since it could allow too much heat into vulnerable areas and cause a house fire.
Spalling Bricks:
Spalling occurs when water enters brick, natural stone, or concrete and forces the surface of the masonry to pop out, peel off, or flake off. Sometimes salt also pushes outward from the inside and causes spalling. It’s fairly simple to spot spalling, since bits of masonry fall from the chimney. The ultimate outcome of failing to get Mercer County chimney repair for this issue is continued crumbling and eventual destruction of the structure.
Shaling Flue Tiles:
Thin slices of chimney tile can begin to pile up at the bottom of the chimney, if the liner is damaged. Cracked and shaling flue tiles are signs of a serious condition which, if not resolved, could result in a house fire. The flue lining of a chimney must be intact in order to safely use a fireplace. Many people today are switching to stainless steel liners, which usually carry lifetime warranties.
While shaling flue tiles can become evident, identifying cracked flue liners often requires an inspection by a professional Mercer County chimney sweep who uses a special camera. The camera can spotlight potential problems in the flue which are difficult if not impossible to see otherwise.
Cracked Chimney Crown:
Another problem that requires a visit to the rooftop to spot is a damaged chimney crown. It’s important for the crown to be in good condition, since it provides a first line of defense against outdoor elements. When the crown is cracked, water gets in and freezes and thaws, causing larger cracks. A damaged chimney crown allows moisture to seep between the chimney and the liner as well as into the chimney, which can cause shaling and spalling.
Damaged Wallpaper:
If you notice that the wallpaper is damaged in areas near the chimney, it could be because of excess moisture in the chimney. Whether the moisture problem is caused by the issues above or others that are less obvious, it should be repaired without sooner rather than later.
Looking for the Best Company for Mercer County Chimney Repair?
Looking for the best company for Mercer County chimney repair? Contact St John Chimney Sweeps right away. At St John Chimney Sweeps we offer 100% customer satisfaction. We have been in business for over 15 years, and St John Chimney Sweeps is the only name you need to know for a full-service chimney sweeping and installation in the New Jersey area. Our employees have had extensive training and have earned many certificates that help them do their job with full expertise. We are efficient and provide a full explanation of the work we need to complete. Our licensed and insured company is also a member of the National Chimney Sweep Guild. We have been supplying expert sweeps, repairs and installation services to homeowners all across the state of New Jersey. Call us at (609)737-0133 to find out more about our free estimates. Let us take care of all your chimney needs!
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by admin | May 27, 2018 | NJ Chimney Repair
If your fireplace is old, you may need to get Pennington chimney masonry repair. However, before you get it fixed, you should have it cleaned. Keeping it clean also helps your chimney last longer. We want you to have a strong and clean chimney for many years to come, so we have tips for keeping your chimney functional and spotless.
Step 1: Sweep it Out | Pennington Chimney Masonry Repair
Before you start cleaning out the chimney, it’s important to get rid of all the loose ash and soot. You know that the soot will be tracked around the house if you do not clear it away. This step is as easy as taking a dustpan and broom and sweeping. Make sure you dust the sides of your chimney to clear away any other loose ash hiding in the nooks and crannies. Clear away as much as possible before you move on to the next step. Make sure you wear protective equipment on your hands, face, and eyes as there will probably be disgusting ash flying everywhere that can really hurt your lungs. Also make sure you clean off your broom so you do not sweep ash into the rest of your house later.
Step 2: Wash the Bricks
Now you could purchase your own store bought brick cleaner, or you could create your own natural cleaner. You want to clean the bricks thoroughly with a well working cleaner. One method that you can use for some small scale cleaning is a little cream of tartar and water. Mix a little water with some cream of tartar to make a thin cleaning paste. If you have enough cream of tartar, apply this paste to the blackened areas of your bricks and let it do its work for five to 10 minutes. After this, just rinse the cream of tartar and repeat the process if necessary.
Another common cleaning mixture is vinegar and water. If your chimney is about 20 years or older, vinegar may be too harsh for your chimney. Otherwise, this is a great cleaning solution for getting rid of the ash stains. Do a half and half mixture and just put it into a spray bottle. Spray this on the darkened bricks and let it set for a few more minutes. Spray again and then start to scrub while it is wet. Work from the bottom up in small circles for a better cleaning job. You can follow with a baking soda and water solution to cancel out the acidity.
One more home cleaner you could make is made with a half cup of baking soda and a couple tablespoons of dish soap. Just apply a thin layer to the inside of your chimney by applying from the bottom up, and again scrubbing in small circles. Let this sit for a few minutes and then rinse with warm water. With any of these cleaning solutions, it may take a few rounds of cleaning, but the work is well worth it.
Step 3: Check for Problems | Pennington Chimney Masonry Repair
While you clean out your chimney, you should monitor to see what areas may need repairs. As you clean the bricks, look for broken or chipped pieces. You should also look for any leaks and holes in your chimney. It’s important to check for any repairs needed for a better chimney.
Do You Need Repairs?
Sometimes, simply cleaning out your chimney isnt enough to keep everything in working order. There will be times when your chimney becomes damaged and will require repairs. So, how can you tell if you need Pennington Chimney repair work done? Below, we will take a loot at some of the signs that you need chimney repair.
Check for a Chimney Cap | Pennington Chimney Repair
You don’t even need a ladder for this one, step outside and take a look. The chimney cap’s main purpose is keeping rain out of the chimney flue. Yes, it is not a masonry portion of your chimney, but its presence is vital to the survival of your chimney’s interior and exterior. In 95% of cases needing Mercer County chimney repair service, a chimney cap is not present. Why is this a problem? Water. Water is the top source of deterioration of all home components, rot, mold, mildew, moss, freeze-thaw, etc, etc. Water in your chimney, or in your masonry is always bad news. If your chimney does not have a chimney cap, its time for a chimney inspection, possibly some repair, and most definitely time to install a chimney cap.
Pennington Chimney Repair | Is your Chimney Crown in Good Condition?
The chimney crown is the chimney’s second line of defense against water. The crown is the 2″-3″ concrete or mortar slab that has been poured on the very top of the chimney. This covers the top course of bricks of your chimney and surrounds the top flue tiles of each appliance. Why is this needed? Besides for the aesthetic appeal, chimneys are constructed with a hollow interior surrounding the flue tiles. This hollow space around your fireplace, and flue liners is very important. Other than covering the hollow opening of the chimney the brick also much be covered. Most bricks have a somewhat water resistant facing on their front and sides, however, on the top and bottom they are extremely porous. This is vital during brick construction so the mortar can have the best bond to the brick top and bottom as possible. However, when left exposed to the weather the brick becomes saturated with moisture and is exposed to freeze-thaw, moss and mildew. Wet bricks and mortar joints will lead to deterioration. Check your chimney crown for proper construction, proper thickness, cracks or receding edges or corners. Just like chimney caps, when a chimney has an improper or damaged crown, 95% of the time there is deterioration to the chimney structure. This will call for the need to get Mercer County chimney repair.
Pennington Chimney Repair | Do you need Chimney Tuckpointing?
Chimney tuckpointing is commonly misused to describe “mortar joints”. “Tuckpointing” is actually a verb and describes the process of repairing mortar joints, this is a common Mercer County chimney repair service and usually needs to be done on all chimney masonry every 30-50 years. So how do we know when we need our mortar repaired? Since chimneys are half above the roof and half below the roof, they always deteriorate at different rates. Above the roof the chimney is exposed to harsher weather conditions, colder temperatures, wind, rain, ice, snow. Below the roof the chimney is much more protected. Not to mention if the chimney is missing a cap or has a damaged crown, the damage will start at the top and slowly progress downward. Check your mortar joints above the roofline first. Check for cracks, separations between the mortar and the brick, and finally take a screwdriver and scrape the mortar to see if it is soft or begins to flake a fall away. Good mortar will barely leave a mark when running your screwdriver across it. Bad mortar will fall away and leave a gouge. Make your way down the chimney below the roofline and check the mortar there as well. Any areas where the mortar is soft should be repaired. Chimney tuckpointing can only be done to partially damaged mortar however. If the mortar joint is left unchecked for long enough it will fail completely through the joint and the bricks will be loose. Once your bricks are loose, they have to be rebuilt. Take a hammer or the palm of your hand and tap on some bricks near the top, moving down. If any of the bricks are loose, those will need to be torn down and re-mortared.
Pennington Chimney Repair | Do you have Efflorescence or White Staining?
White discoloration on a chimney is a sure sign of a moisture problem and a good indicator of some possible Mercer County chimney repair service. This is called efflorescence, it is the natural salts in the brick and mortar that are brought to the surface by moisture and then left behind when the moisture evaporates. This can be removed easily with warm soapy water, however, this w0n’t solve the problem. The most common causes of this is a missing chimney cap, a damaged or missing crown, and/or damaged mortar joints. Let your Mercer County chimney repair service technician know where you are noticing the white staining on your chimney for a more accurate diagnosis.
St John Chimney Sweeps | Best NJ Chimney Repair
If you are looking for a Pennington chimney masonry repair, St. John Chimney Sweeps treats its customers like family. We want you to have the cleanest and safest fireplace for your home. For more information about our services, visit our website or give us a call today.
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by admin | May 21, 2018 | NJ Chimney Repair
Does your home have a fireplace? If so, you probably got a lot of use out of it last winter. However, while you have been enjoying the warmth of a cozy fire in your home, your chimney has been taking a toll. Regular chimney inspection is important to keep your home and your family safe. We all love a roaring fire, but very few of us inspect our chimney or perform any routine maintenance. Princeton chimney inspections are a good idea if you see or suspect that any materials are loose or missing. Calling for Princeton chimney masonry repair to correct problems quickly is also a good idea.
Princeton Chimney Masonry Repair | Damage you cannot see from the ground
Have you noticed discoloration of the roofing shingles below your chimney? Signs of water damage are obvious. Excessive moisture breaks down every basic element. Do you know what caused the stain you’re looking at? If the flashing around the base of the chimney is causing rust stains, your chimney has been compromised. Water damage only gets worse over time. Your chimney needs a professional inspection when the signs of damage are obvious.
What about the damage you cannot see from the ground? Hidden damage is one reason you need a professional with experience. What else is the water doing to your chimney? Tiny seams or cracks in the brick and mortar can hold moisture. Water evaporation from inside the masonry is slowly weakening your chimney.
Princeton Chimney Masonry Repair | Preventive maintenance or major repair?
Your home is a major investment. Getting professional inspections on a regular basis helps protect your investment. Home owners must make minor repairs. You can avoid costly structural damage with preventative maintenance. Your decision to take the advice of professionals has direct consequences on the state of your home. Home owners keep their chimneys clean and safe with yearly inspections. The fall is a good time for an inspection, to get your fireplace ready for the winter ahead. If you get your inspection done in the spring, at the end of the cold weather, at least make sure to check the chimney again for anything that could block it over the summer months. Twigs, leaves and debris are all a hazard if they block the top of your chimney. Nesting birds cause problems, too, when nests cover the chimney top.
Princeton Chimney Masonry Repair | Chimney Cap
A professionally installed chimney cap with a mesh can keep your chimney clear of unwanted materials, and unwanted visitors like birds and small animals such as squirrels. You want to keep your chimney clear at all times. A chimney cap will also keep rain from going down the chimney, which can cause water damage to your home’s interior. Water in the chimney can cause a lot of structural damage. Just as water on your chimney’s exterior can weaken masonry, water running down your chimney can damage the flue lining. It can damage ceilings and walls. Water inside and outside your chimney is constantly freezing and thawing. This creates a lot of expanding and shrinking of materials, causing them to deteriorate.
If you have not had your chimney inspected in a while, don’t delay. Regular inspections will keep your home safe. If your chimney does not have a cap, talk to a chimney specialist about the advantages of installing one for your home. Chimney masonry repair and inspections are something best left to the professionals. If you suspect any problems within your chimney, or any structural problems, contact a Princeton chimney masonry repair specialist. We are here to keep your home safe and warm.
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by admin | May 11, 2018 | NJ Chimney Repair
Do you need a Lawrence Chimney Masonry Repair? Do you need to know how to maintain your chimney? An annual chimney inspection is very important to keep your family and home safe. In an inspection, the specialist looks for build up and blockages and then they sweep to remove any potential problem preventing your chimney to work properly. A professional chimney inspector can give a visual check of the fireplace and chimney without any special gadgets. He will look for damage, buildup, blockages and soot and then evaluates and will let you know if your chimney needs sweeping and/or repair.
Chimneys are sometimes very difficult to repair and maintain. That is why you need a specialist. If the proper repair is not done, the chimney is now left opened to extra costs for future repairs and future complications. At times chimneys can have a leak, which comes from the crown or moisture going in the pores of the bricks and sealant. Three things that should be done to prevent issues:
Lawrence Chimney Masonry Repair | Repair or Replace a Damaged Chimney Crown:
The chimney crown is the top component of a masonry chimney. It covers and seals the top of the chimney, which helps to keep out animals and unwanted debris from storms. The crown offers a downward angle that will direct water from the flue to the edge of the crown. This over hanging edge from the crown keeps water from the crown and away from the chimney, stopping the destruction of the brick and mortar in the chimney.
Lawrence Chimney Masonry Repair | Repair Weakened Mortar Joints:
Weakened mortar joints of the outside of the chimney are access spots for water. When the mortar joints are properly installed and in good shape there are no gaps and they are shaped in a way where it flows the water away from the joints. When the mortar has a lot of exposure to harsh weather it gets more absorbent looking in moisture. When this is fixed it gives the chimney a much longer life span and also improves its appearance.
Lawrence Chimney Masonry Repair | Repair or Replace Flashing:
Flashing is a seal that is between the roof and the chimney. Flashing stops water or snow that is melting from running down the chimney into living spaces where it can destroy ceilings and walls. Flashing is intended to allow both the roof and the chimney to expand and contract without breaking the waterproof seal.
Lawrence Chimney Masonry Repair | No Spalling and Efflorescence:
Spalling is also a major chimney repair issue that is commonly spoken about. Spalling is when the brick on the chimney absorbs moisture and then freezes and expands in the winter time. After many harsh winter seasons, the face of the bricks start bursting worsening the brick from the outside in. Efflorescence is a crystalline deposit of salts that are seen on the exterior of the brick. It usually happens when water is on the masonry surface and there is excessive moisture. There are many removers in the market but at times it could be difficult to remove. To correct this problem a powerful water proofing sealer needs to be applied to the entire chimney. The sealer clogs the pores of the bricks creating an invisible waterproof blockage to keep water and moisture out.
St john’s Chimney Sweeps have been serving New Jersey for over 15 years. With more than 15 years of experience in the chimney and fireplace business, we are the best-known contractors in the area. If you are looking for a Lawrence Chimney masonry repair, contact St. John’s Chimney Sweeps at 609-737-0133 right away and we will send contractors that are fully trained to carry out the work you need on your chimney.
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by admin | May 4, 2018 | NJ Chimney Repair
Do you have a chimney and are in need of Hopewell chimney masonry repair? When you have any type of masonry work in your home, it will need some work at some point. There are a lot of ways you could see potential damage and several types of maintenance that may need to be done. Here are some of the more common forms of masonry repair that you find yourself in need of.
Common Types of Hopewell Chimney Masonry Repair
1. Repointing – Repointing is essentially just replacing any mortar that is damaged between bricks, stones, etc. It’s important that, if you choose to do this yourself, that you use mortar that is of equal strength to the old mortar. If you don’t you may have some other issues that arise as a result of it.
2. Sealing – Sealing is important for your masonry to protect it from the elements. Several issues can come up if your masonry is not properly sealed. You may get cracks as a result of water getting in and freezing and therefore expanding. Another issue that may come up from improper sealing is discoloration. You don’t want your masonry to appear stained or discolored; it can greatly detract from its value.
3. Cleaning – Cleaning is an important maintenance step that you should be able to easily do yourself. If you want to keep your masonry looking fresh and new, cleaning is essential. It’s important that you use low pressure washing so that you don’t cause any damage to the masonry.
Looking for Professional Hopewell Chimney Masonry Repair?
There are many minor repairs that you may be able to do yourself, but for the best Hopewell chimney masonry repair, call St. John Chimney Sweeps today! For over 15 years, they’ve worked with excellence on every job they have. When you work with St. John Chimney Sweeps, you’re guaranteed 100% satisfaction and no mess! For more information, contact them today!
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by admin | Apr 16, 2018 | NJ Chimney Repair
As we come to the close of a prolonged heating season, have you noticed anything peculiar regarding your chimney? Are there signs of moisture either in the basement or within the masonry? Is there any noticeable physical damage? We learn from Robbinsville chimney inspections that homeowners aren’t always aware of the causes of chimney damage. The obvious causes of large objects like trees or even lightning strikes are hard to miss but there are other reasons for a chimney to require repair. Let us explore why this aspect of our home should never be neglected when it comes to proper home maintenance.
Causes of Chimney Damage | Moisture
Rain doesn’t have to be torrential and the damage it produces can take a long time. Metal caps and flus are going to notice the prolonged exposure to moisture. No matter how well designed, water molecules will form condensation and eventually rust even though the metal is encased in masonry. The chimney flu is changing temperature constantly and attracting moisture and evaporating it again. The integrity of the metal will undergo a slow process of breaking down and over time need to be replaced.
Bricks and cement also suffer from water erosion. Once again the constant exposure to the elements will eventually form small cracks and fissures in the masonry. This can also contribute to a compromised flu, but more serious is the structural stability of the chimney. Here the inspection needs to be very thorough. The weight of even a single story chimney (approximately fifteen feet) is over five thousand pounds. With weakened mortar and bricks it may be difficult to prevent that much mass moving once it gets started.
What About Wind?
Can a strong wind actually take down a chimney? Hopefully the construction of your chimney is designed to handle the typical wind activity in the area you live. Most homes that we see impacted by tornados or hurricane force winds still show at least part of the chimney still standing. By design they should withstand the wind, but the wind over time has as much to do with the slow erosion of the bricks and mortar as the rain and snow.
Working in tandem these two elements can erode a mountain, so it is smart to consider the prolonged affect they’ll have on your home. Some argue that the best position for the chimney might be on the eastern side of the home since winds tend to primarily blow from the west. For most of the structure this seems logical, but the chimney to be effective has to extend above the roofline. Up there it has no protection at all which is why the inspections usually start from top to bottom.
Causes of Chimney Damage | Defects Unseen
Now that we’ve talked about mostly visible signs of chimney damage, we should also consider the possibility of defects in materials or workmanship. All building materials are subject to careful scrutiny for possible defects. Builders are also subject to series of inspections during the various phases of construction. From the foundation to the roof every part of a carefully constructed building remains susceptible to undetected flaws in materials and workmanship. Despite how careful we are putting it together, we simply expect it is going to need maintenance.
Like the natural elements mentioned above, interior defects are still one of the common causes of chimney damage. Typically we won’t notice these defects or the damage they cause until after the life cycle prescribed by the manufacturer. Are you aware of what that life expectancy is for the chimney on your home? Why not give us a call today and allow us to look at it for you? Not only can we confirm the soundness of the chimney but we can offer some tips for keeping it in good shape.
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