Rebuild of Chimney and Crown

Chimney was cracking due to moisture penetration of bricks. Got the rebar wet, rusting began and iron when rusts, expands and breaks bricks and concrete.

Removed broken, loose bricks, cut out rusted rebar, and rebuilt the chimney and crown, aka mortar cap.

Rebuild of chimney and crown

Beach home chase covers & shrouds installed

New chimney chase covers and shrouds are Stainless Steel and colored aluminum. These will hold up near beach cities better than galvanized.

chimney caps

A chimney chase cover replacement

Before and after pictures of a custom chase cover and shroud that we recently replaced.

custom chase cover

Fireplaces and chimneys have an average life expectance of 30 to 40 years

chimney crackMany homeowners think that chimneys do not require maintenance and last forever.  However the age of a fireplace is very relevant to how safe it is to use.  Most fireplaces and chimneys have an average life expectance of 30 to 40 years.  Water, acids, carbon, and high temperatures all cause erosion and decay.  Eventually, that breaks down the internal integrity of any chimney.

The Chimney Safety Institute reports that in the winter the biggest source of house fires are the use of fireplaces.

Approximately 25% of chimneys built between 1950 and 1990 have hazardous cracks and gaps which can result in a house fire.  These often can not be detected without a video inspection.  These cracks and gaps are usually repairable unless the structure of the chimney has been compromised.

In last month we have seen 2 prefabricated chimneys (built in 1990’s) which are factory built metal units, where the metal flue had rusted out.  The holes in the metal created a fire hazard.  These units are not repairable and can only be replaced.  In both cases, the home inspector noted cracks in the refractory panels but failed to look up the fireplace to see the holes in the metal pipes.

If you have a home that is older than 25 years and you are using your fireplace and you have not had it inspected in the last 5 years, it is important that you get it inspected and cleaned as needed.  The inspection should include a video inspection of the chimney flue to make sure no hazardous conditions exist.   Lucky Sully Chimney Sweep includes this level 2 inspection as part of its inspection and cleaning services.

1983 Home of a prefabricated rusted chimney

This prefabricated chimney had refractory panels which had large cracks but on examining chimney flue, it was discovered that it was very rusted and hazardous to use.

Anyone with an older chimney and fireplace of this type should take pictures up the flue to check if there are issues of this type with their chimney.  They should have a chimney inspection if any rust is observed.

1983 prefabricated rusty chimney