Cracks in your chimney can lead to poor indoor air quality and let in bugs, small animals, and debris. Have you checked your chimney bricks for cracks lately?
Your Guide for Repairing Chimney Cracks
Not only are cracks in your chimney less aesthetically pleasing, but they also decrease your indoor air quality by letting more moisture into your home—but how can you tell if your chimney is cracked?
Follow these steps to figure out if there are cracks in your chimney:
Step 1: Inspect Your Chimney’s Exterior
If your fireplace is damp or rusty, there’s most likely a crack in your chimney, and it needs to be repaired. Rusting inside your fireplace can lead to:
- Cracked flue tiles
- Chimney fires
- House fires
It’s best to have your fireplace repaired early on to prevent rust and moisture buildup, as these can cause much larger problems in the future.
Step 2: Check for Signs of Moisture or Rust in Your Fireplace
While completing your roof inspection, always look closely at your chimney. Check for small exterior cracks and frozen brick and mortar joints. If you find any damage, even a small crack, contact a home improvement contractor.
Small cracks can become big problems over time and can even lead to bent or collapsed chimneys.
Step 3: Look for Spalling Bricks
When water repeatedly penetrates brick, spalling occurs and causes crumbling and flaking. To find spalling bricks, look for pieces of brick that have fallen from the chimney, brick salts, and flakiness.
Flaky, cracked brick is a fire hazard and needs to be replaced or resealed as soon as possible.
Step 4: Check for Piles of Thin Tiles
If you find piles of shaling flue tiles at the bottom of your chimney, your brick liner is damaged. When flue tiles are falling out or not working properly, your fireplace isn’t safe to use because it could cause a house fire.
Hire a professional to inspect your chimney for thin slices of flue tile and ripped brick liner.
Step 5: Ensure Your Chimney Crown Is Intact
Your chimney crown protects your masonry from outdoor elements, including water. When it cracks, water enters your fireplace, which can cause:
- Brick spalling
- Shaling
- Torn liner
- Increased moisture in your chimney and fireplace
Always ensure your chimney crown is intact when completing a chimney inspection.
Step 5: Ensure Your Chimney Crown Is Intact
Your chimney crown protects your masonry from outdoor elements, including water. When it cracks, water enters your fireplace, which can cause:
- Brick spalling
- Shaling
- Torn liner
- Increased moisture in your chimney and fireplace
Always ensure your chimney crown is intact when completing a chimney inspection.
Step 6: Keep an Eye Out for Damaged/Damp Wallpaper
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Post-Inspection Repair
Cracked chimneys allow heat and gas to move up quickly, leading to chimney or house fires. If you notice any of the above, have a professional repair your chimney to avoid further damage, expensive repairs, and potential fires.
A chimney repair company will:
- Complete a chimney sweep to remove excess debris and fallen brick
- Apply chimney crack sealant to stop cracks from growing
- Tuckpoint failed mortar joints
- Waterproof your chimney and replace the liner
Where Can I Get High-Quality Cracked Chimney and Fireplace Repair?
Approved Home Improvement has over 30 years of experience repairing cracks in chimney bricks and fireplaces.
Our expert team has an A+ Better Business Bureau rating and a HeatShield masonry installer certification. You can trust us to get the job done right the first time, so you can go back to enjoying your fireplace.
We have the solutions you need to prevent chimney damage and repair cracked brick:
If you are a new home buyer, are renting an apartment with a fireplace, are using your fireplace during colder months, or notice water damage or crumbling mortar, contact Approve Home Improvements for chimney and fireplace crack repair.
