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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by admin | Apr 15, 2018 | NJ Chimney Repair
Do you enjoy a crackling fire in your fireplace at home? There is nothing quite like it. A fireplace gives off a homey atmosphere, a warming glow, and a cozy feel to any room. It provides a warm, comfortable place to settle down in front of on long winter nights. If you have a fireplace, however, you also have a chimney. While you are in your home enjoying your fireplace, how is the chimney doing outside your home? Have you looked for signs your chimney needs repair? Maybe it needs the professional help of a Mercer County chimney repair service.
Moisture | Signs Your Chimney Needs Repair
The culprit for most chimney problems is moisture. Any moisture that can squeeze its way between your chimney and the masonry can pose a big problem. All that moisture trapped up at the chimney level can freeze, then thaw out, causing stress on the masonry. This could lead to big problems for your chimney, possibly ending in its collapse. If you see any damage to your mortar joints, this could be a sign your chimney is in need of repair.
Crumbling Masonry | Signs Your Chimney Needs Repair
If you see any sign of flaking or peeling masonry, there is probably moisture between the chimney and masonry material. This is a sign that the moisture is damaging the masonry, which can result in loss of support to your chimney. This crumbling, or breaking off, is known as spalling. Spalling materials such as bricks are easy to identify because they will be popping off the chimney. If it is obvious that tiles or bricks have crumbled or popped off, there is a good chance your chimney needs repair and waterproofing.
Water Seeping in the Chimney Crown
The chimney crown is designed to keep unwanted things out of your chimney. It will protect it from things like water, debris, such as leaves and sticks, and even small animals or birds. You cannot tell if the chimney crown is damaged unless you get on the roof. Unlike bricks falling into your yard, a very obvious sign of damage, the chimney crown will require closer inspection for problems. Over time, a chimney crown can become deteriorated, especially if it is made of mortar. The elements will take a toll on a mortar chimney crown, resulting in a need for a replacement.
Signs of Moisture Inside
If there is moisture in your chimney, it will not only appear at the roofline. Any rust appearing on your damper or your firebox are a sure sign of moisture. Rust on the damper will mean operating it will be hard, and it probably will not easily seal. If you suspect any moisture problems, you need to contact a specialist, just as you would for obvious exterior problems. This excess moisture, which is causing problems with the damper, could also result in cracked flue tiles. This is particularly dangerous, as a build-up of heat could end in a house fire. Another sign of chimney moisture, is damage to any wallpaper near the chimney. Damp and peeling wallpaper close to your chimney are a tell-tale sign of needed chimney repair.
Rain, snow, sleet, the freezing and thawing of water on your chimney, all take a toll over time. If your chimney has any evidence of damage from moisture, these are signs your chimney needs repair. Do not hesitate, contact a Mercer County chimney repair service today. Keep your family safe, and get your chimney inspected right away. Then you can relax in front of a cozy fire, confident that your chimney is in good shape.
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by admin | Nov 10, 2017 | NJ Chimney Repair
Do you know if you are in need of Mercer County chimney repair service? Most homeowners are under the impression an annual chimney sweep is all that is needed to get their fireplace up and running. Your chimney sweep should be performing a detailed inspection of all the vital components of the fireplace interior and as well as the chimney exterior. But what if you are the homeowner who doesn’t use their fireplace? Or maybe you have switched to a gas insert so you no longer require an annual chimney sweep? How does one know if they need Mercer County chimney repair service? Below are some of the top signs that you need Mercer County chimney repair service.
Signs that You Need Mercer County Chimney Repair Service
Mercer County Chimney Repair Service
Check for a Chimney Cap | Mercer County 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.
Mercer County 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.
Mercer County 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.
Mercer County 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.
Mercer County Chimney Repair | Is There Firebox Damage?
Are there missing mortar joints in your fireplace bricks, loose bricks, or bricks covered in white efflorescence? These are very common signs of leaks in the chimney. Your fireplace firebox is constructed of a very fragile type of brick called firebrick. This type of bricks is designed to be porous to provide adequate insulation to prevent heat transfer. It also is not constructed with just plain old mortar. It requires a special refractory cement to hold the bricks together throughout the high temperatures of your open fire. This refractory cement however, is water soluble. When these firebox mortar joints get wet, they turn to powder and fall apart. Loose bricks, missing mortar joints and crumbling firebrick are all sure signs that chimney repair is in your near future.
Looking for Professional Mercer County Chimney Repair Service?
If you are looking for the best Mercer County NJ chimney service, you’ve come to the right place! For well over 20 years, St John has been providing hundreds of satisfied homeowners with safe chimneys and cozy winters. Our licensed and insured company is also a member of the National Chimney Sweep Guild (NCSG) and most of our quality products come with a lifetime warranty. St John is an honest family owned company that takes pride in our positive reputation in the community. For a free Hopewell Chimney Inspection estimate, contact now at (609) 737-0133 or visit the website.
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by admin | Aug 16, 2017 | NJ Chimney Repair
While many New Hope, NJ homeowners don’t know it, a New Hope chimney cap plays an important role in your home’s chimney system. If your home doesn’t already have one, here are some of the top why may want to should think about installing a New Hope chimney cap.
Reasons to Install a New Hope Chimney Cap
Looking To Install a New Hope Chimney Cap in Your Home?
St. John Chimney Sweeps has been providing satisfied home owners with Mercer County Chimney repair services for decades. We take pride in providing our valued customers with our 100% satisfaction no-mess guarantee. Many of our quality products have a lifetime warranty. We are honest family owned company that always gives thorough explanations before we do any work. Our licensed and insured company is also a member of the National Chimney Sweep Guild (NCSG). Call now for a free estimate at: (609) 737-0133 or visit our website.
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by admin | Aug 16, 2017 | NJ Chimney Repair, Uncategorized
Waiting for your next chimney inspection isn’t the only way to know if you need new Mercer County chimney caps. You may notice water in the fireplace or a musty smell coming from the chimney. A small bird or animal can infiltrate your chimney and cause problems. Maybe you notice some damage while doing your own visual inspection while looking at your home. You see your home on a daily basis, so you’re more likely to notice damages as they occur if you keep an eye out.
The Important Role of Mercer County Chimney Caps
Maybe you’ve seen your Mercer County chimney caps several times and thought that they were aesthetically pleasing atop your chimney. Many homeowners even like to watch the smoke roll from the various openings of their chimney caps. A decorative chimney cap is even nicer to look at. Some people actually order custom Mercer County chimney caps if you really want to make a style statement.
A chimney cap does much more than simply look appealing to the eye. It protects the chimney from invasive animals and birds. The chimney is a nice warm spot for animals to find shelter from the elements, cool weather, and from predators. You probably don’t want to experience something like a raccoon or squirrel making its way into your home through your chimney
Mercer County chimney caps keep your flue from damage from debris during a wind storm and keeps water out of the flue when it rains or snows. They also prevent cold downdrafts from entering your home through the chimney.
How to Choose the Right Mercer County Chimney Caps
Purchasing a chimney cap isn’t always a straightforward ordeal. Most flue openings are either 3 inches or 4 inches. That’s pretty simple, you buy the cap that fits your flue and has the aesthetic you want, and install it. Look for Mercer County chimney caps that complement your home in some way so that it adds to the overall aesthetic. You may want to consider purchasing a custom chimney cap. They’re relatively inexpensive and look great.
Looking for Quality Mercer County Chimney Caps?
St. John Chimney Sweeps has been providing satisfied home owners with Mercer County Chimney repair services for decades. We take pride in providing our valued customers with our 100% satisfaction no-mess guarantee. Many of our quality products have a lifetime warranty. We are honest family owned company that always gives thorough explanations before we do any work. Our licensed and insured company is also a member of the National Chimney Sweep Guild (NCSG). Call now for a free estimate at: (609) 737-0133 or visit our website.
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by admin | Aug 15, 2017 | NJ Chimney Repair
Chimneys cannot work safely or efficiently without a chimney cap. In fact, Yardley chimney caps are probably the most important factor that determines the functionality and cleanliness of your chimney. are very important to keeping your fireplace or wood burning stove functioning cleanly and properly. This is because the chimney cap is the front line of defense that keeps the harsh outdoor elements from wreaking havoc on your chimney and fireplace. Rain, snow, dust, debris, organic material and even small animals are all kept outside where they belong with a properly functioning chimney cap. Today, we will be looking at the practical benefits that chimney caps provide home owners:
Yardley Chimney Caps | The Many Benefits
Yardley Chimney Caps Keep Your Chimney Dry
When water gets inside your chimney it can seep into the bricks and even find its way into your attic. This can cause damage to both the bricks in your chimney as well as the wooden structure of your attic. The result could be expensive damages that can be easily avoided by purchasing a chimney cap.
Improve Air Quality With Yardley Chimney Caps
Chimney caps stop drafts from coming into your house through the chimney. Not only is a draft cold in the winter time, but the air will be filled with smoke and soot which can cause negative respiratory side effects. Keep your home warm and smoke free by replacing your chimney cap if it falls off.
Yardley Chimney Caps keep Small Animals Out
Small animals love to make their way into chimneys without caps. Chimneys provide birds, squirrels and other small animals with a warm cozy shelter. If any of these animals settle dow and build a nest, your chimney can become blocked and a fire could start.
Yardley Chimney Caps Prevent House Fires
Chimney caps keep sparks and embers from setting your roof on fire. If heated materials make their way onto your roof and start a fire, there is no way for you to know until it is too late! Make sure you always check to see if your chimney cap is attached and isn’t damaged. If you are unsure, contact your local Yardley Chimney service company today!
Need Yardley Chimney Caps For Your Home?
Yardley Chimney Caps are very important, and if yours is missing you need to have it replaced as soon as possible. Always contact an experienced professional when looking to replace your chimney cap. For over 15 years, St. John Chimney Sweeps has been providing hundreds of homeowners with Yardley Chimneys Caps. As a fully licensed and insured company that is also a member of the National Chimney Sweep Guild (NCSG), you can rest assured that when you hire St John, you are going to be getting the absolute bet in products and services. Call us today at for a free estimate: (609) 737-0133 or visit our website.
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While many New Hope, NJ homeowners don’t know it, a New Hope chimney cap plays an important role in your home’s chimney system. If your home doesn’t already have one, here are some of the top why may want to should think about installing a New Hope chimney cap.
Waiting for your next chimney inspection isn’t the only way to know if you need new Mercer County chimney caps. You may notice water in the fireplace or a musty smell coming from the chimney. A small bird or animal can infiltrate your chimney and cause problems. Maybe you notice some damage while doing your own visual inspection while looking at your home. You see your home on a daily basis, so you’re more likely to notice damages as they occur if you keep an eye out.