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The Importance of Maintaining your Chimney
A chimney’s function is to channel smoke upwards, out and away from our homes. We can often take for granted their importance and neglect the regular maintenance they need to ensure their build is kept intact, and their function met safely. Over time, the pointing of a chimney may split and the structure of its walls could develop cracks. After a period of 25 or 30 years, the mortar joints that bind the stone and brick will corrode; resulting in a flaking and cracking of the joints, leaving the pointing in need of repair.
What causes the cracks in my chimney? The cracks that materialise in the pointing of a chimney can often be explained by the natural process of freeze-thaw weathering. This process occurs when tiny amounts of water gather inside the smallest holes in the pointing. As the temperature falls overnight, the water freezes and expands. When the water melts, it leaves behind a larger space in the pointing for the next rainfall to seep into (and so the cycle continues). If left for too long without being repaired, the structure could become unstable.
Freeze-thaw weathering can also impair any metal object attached to the build of a property, such as a satellite dish.
What causes my chimney to leak?
Usually, the cause of a leak is defective flashings. These can be caused by:
Incorrect installation. Weathering. Lack of maintenance.
If left for a long period of time, any leaks will cause the walls of your home to become damp. If you find a leak, seek professional help as soon as possible for an emergency repair.
Is my property more vulnerable if I live in a historical home?
If the property you live in is a historical one, both the risk of damage and its effects on the chimney are far greater than what they are to a modern home.
An older building would originally be designed to accommodate coal fires, as opposed to natural gas or oil. Therefore, chimneys in historical homes have a structure that is designed to accommodate for the high heat that burning coal produces, making them large and cool. The size however, is too large and too cool to channel the smoke produced from burning natural gas and oil without increasing the chances of harming the structure of the chimney through producing large levels of condensation. The most vulnerable part of the structure is its highest point, and the damage can be difficult to notice unless regular inspections are carried out. If the pointing has been worn and the problem is neglected, the state of the pointing will only worsen, eventually becoming hazardous and requiring an emergency repair.
How does where I live affect the vulnerability of my property?
The location of your home can be a contributing factor to an increased risk of damage to your chimney. For example, in 2002 the Manchester area was subject to a series of earthquakes leaving many chimneys requiring repairs or total rebuilds.
Chimney builds are rigid structures and are unlikely to move during an earthquake. However, if the mortar, pointing or brick become fractured then they become extremely dangerous as they can allow toxic gases, such as carbon dioxide, to seep into a property unknowingly. Are there any precautions I can take to reduce the chances of chimney damage?
Every year, or two years at the least, you should carry out a thorough inspection of your chimney for any signs of damage. Signs to look out for include:
· Any loose or missing flashing – the metal covering that keeps your roof watertight.
· Any loose or cracked pointing between the brick work.
· Any indications of damage or corrosion to the masonry.
If you possess any inactive fixtures, such as television aerials, they should be taken down as soon as possible.
Do not neglect your chimney. Particularly older properties, as their brick work and pointing will require more maintenance. Any sign of damage should be brought to the attention of a professional builder. You should also research whether you need to be in the possession of a permit to have repairs of this nature carried out on your property.
If you find that following the inspection you have a concern, please read further, or call us for more information and advice.
Will G&A Roofing provide me with chimney maintenance?
Here at G&A Roofing, we have over 25 years of experience in expertly carrying out repairs, maintaining and building chimney stacks. We will provide you with qualified and experienced masons to carry out any work you may require to keep your chimney in full working order. If your chimney is damaged, our experts will know why and what the next step is to fix it.
If you are part of our roof maintenance plan, any chimney repairs are already covered. The G&A Roofing chimney service includes:
· Flashings: These provide watertight coverage, creating a seal whether to roof and chimney intersects. · Pointing: If the mortar joints of the chimney stack have been eroded, pointing will be used to reinforce the joints. · Flaunching: Also known as ‘the crown’, a flaunching is a cement base that holds the chimney pots safely in place. · Chimney Cowls: These are designed to prevent the entry of rainwater and birds.
For more details about the plan, please see our roof maintenance section.
What can I do to avoid needing an emergency repair in the future?
As the homeowner, you can do a few things to prevent the need of an emergency repair. A thorough inspection of your chimney, along with regular maintenance to fix the smaller problems will prevent any large-scale damages that could occur and require an emergency repair in the future.
However, if you are unaware of what the signs are that indicate your chimney requires maintenance, preventing an emergency repair can be difficult. To help you, here is a list of reoccurring problems that you can look out for during your inspection and some useful tips to help prevent the need for an emergency repair at all.
The Crown Although there are two types of masonry crowns, they are both designed to hold chimney pots firmly in place. A crown can either be poured into place or be made to fit, and the process of repair is different depending on which type of crown has been used.
If the crown is not given regular maintenance and begins to corrode, the structure beneath the crown will become damaged also over time. If the scale of the damage requires an emergency repair, the crown will have to be replaced altogether.
Flue-liner The function of the flue-liner is to channel heat and smoke upwards whilst protecting the outside wall of the chimney from being damaged. If the flue-liner is impaired or has been improperly installed, it can become a very serious and dangerous problem.
You should never use a furnace or fireplace that vents smoke into an impaired flue-liner as it will allow the heat and smoke to escape through the exterior walls of the chimney, allowing any adjacent wooden structures to catch fire easily. The damage caused will be large-scale and will require an emergency repair for it to be fixed.
An impaired flue-liner that vents burning gas or oil can also allow poisonous gases, such as carbon monoxide, to seep into homes unknowingly, leaving fatal consequences to those exposed.
Flashing This is used to watertight the area where the roof and chimney intersects using a special high-temperature sealant. If you are experiencing leaks around the area of your chimney, this is most likely due to faulty flashing and should not be left to continue. You should seek professional help as soon as possible as a leak in your roof can dampen your walls and will eventually require an emergency repair to fix the problem.
Water Damage The most common cause of an emergency repair to the structure of a chimney is water damage. Because a masonry chimney towers high above the rest of a property, it is more susceptible to damage when facing harsh weather. The smallest cracks will fill with moisture from the atmosphere. If the brickwork or pointing becomes porous and the flashings become worn or loose, leaks in your chimney may develop. If the problem is ignored, efflorescent salt stains, eroded mortar joints and flaking bricks will develop. If the damages are still not repaired, the chimney tiles may crack and could harm any appliance that is fixed to the chimney.
Cracked Mortar
Chimneys, after a long time, will develop voids and cracks in their structure. It is important to repair them immediately, as any voids will only grow in size over time. The method of repair is called tuck-pointing, and is usually required after 25 or 30 years of exposure when the mortar joints start to flake. If tuck-pointing is carried out expertly, it will prevent any further damage, such as water leaks, and any emergency repairs for a long time in the future. Why should I choose G&A Roofing to carry out an emergency repair?
Here at G&A Roofing, we specialise in all areas of chimney maintenance and repairs. We provide all small services such as cleaning, to large-scale jobs like a complete chimney rebuild. Our trained, qualified and experienced masons are experts in chimney construction and will complete a job to the highest professional standard each and every time. We also offer a 24-hour emergency repair service to our existing customers.
What other services does G&A Roofing provide?
If you are considering resurfacing the interior or exterior of your fireplace, G&A Roofing can provide this service too. Perhaps you are unsure which style of fireplace, or even what materials you would like to use? We will also help you with any aesthetic decisions to ensure a complimentary and fitting design is created to accent your home in the best possible way. What do I do if I think there is an animal nesting in my chimney?
It is not uncommon for animals to use the space in a chimney as a den, or for squirrels and birds to become trapped inside. If the chimney’s damper is not closed, then it is also possible that the animal could access your home. If you become suspicious that a bird is nesting inside your chimney, we recommend that you do not interfere as some wild birds and their young are protected by law. To prevent the entrance of an animal in the future, you can secure your chimney with a spark arrestor screen as a means to cap off the access point. Although it may not provide full protection from an animal entering your home, the welded wire mesh, unlike chicken wire, cannot be chewed through by squirrels. North London, North West London, and East London. Enfield, Barnet, Potters Bar, Waltham Cross, Waltham Abbey, Broxbourne, Hoddlesdon. Islington, Enfield, Camden, East Finchley, Finchley, Finsbury Park, Highbury, Highgate, Holloway, Hornsey, Lower Edmonton, Muswell Hill, New Southgate, North Finchley, Palmers Green, Southgate, South Tottenham, Stoke Newington, Tottenham, Highgate, Upper Edmonton, Upper Holloway, Whetstone, Winchmore Hill, Wood Green. Camden Town, Cricklewood, Hampstead, Hendon, Tottenham, Kentish Town, Kilburn, Mill Hill, St John’s Wood, The hyde, Willesden, Golders Green. Redhill Redhill, Reigate, Betchworth, Dorking, Horley, Lingfield, Oxted, Godstone, Crawley, Horsham, Billingshurst, Burgess Hill, Hayward’s Heath, Forest Row, East Grinstead, Pulborough. Guildford Guildford, Cranleigh, Godalming, Farnham, Aldershot, Farnborough, Camberley, Lightwater, Bagshot, Windlesham, Woking, Virginia Water, Hindhead, Haslemere, Petworth, Midhurst, Liphook, Petersfield, Liss, Alton, Bordon Heath, Yateley, Sandhurst, Fleet. Brighton Brighton, Hove, Henfield, Hassocks, Lewes, Newhaven, Peacehaven, Worthing, Lancing, Littlehampton, Arundel, Eastbourne, Pevensey, Seaford, Polegate, Hailsham, Shoreham-by-sea, Steyning. Portsmouth Portsmouth, Southsea, Waterlooville, Havant, Rowlands Castle, Emsworth, Hayling Island, Gosport, Lee-on-solent, Fareham, Chichester, West Sussex, Bognor Regis, Newport, Cowes, East Cowes, Ryde, Seaview, Bembridge, Sandown, Shanklin, Ventnor, Totland Bay, Freshwater, Yarmouth. Bristol Bristol, Clevedon, Weston-super-mare, Winscombe, Axbridge, Cheddar, Wedmore, Banwell, Nailsea and Baskwell, Yatton. Bath Bath, Radstock, Shepton Mallet, Wells, Glastonbury, Castle Cary, Templecombe, Wincanton, Bruton, Frome, Warminster, Westbury, Trowbridge, Bradford on Avon, Street, Yeovil. Manchester , Accrington, Worsley, Bury, Alderley Edge, Birkenhead, Blackburn, Blackpool, Bolton, Burnley, Bury, Buxton, Chadderton, Cheadle, Chester, Chorley, Chorlton, Colne and Nelson, Colwyn Bay, Derby, Ilington, Glossop, Harrogate, Hebden Bridge, Heywood, Huddersfield, Keighley, Knutsford, Lancaster, Liverpool, Macclesfield, Mossley, Oldham, Preston, Ramsbottom, Rhyl, Rochdale, Rossendale, Sale, Salford, Sheffield, Southport, Stockport, Stoke on Trent, Swinton, Timperley, Wakefield, Warrington, Wilmslow, Wigan, Worsley Remember, if its urgent and you need an emergency roof repair we will be ready and waiting for your call 0800 626 430.