A friend noticed a damp, musty smell coming from her living room fireplace the week after a February thaw. When she called a masonry technician from Superior Chimney, to take a look, and found that water had been working its way behind the bricks for years. What started as a small crack now meant her chimney needed structural repairs before she could safely use it again.
Chimney repairs are any work done to restore the structural and weatherproof condition of a chimney. This can include mortar joint repair, brick replacement, crown repair, flue repair, and cap or flashing replacement. Most Chicagoland homeowners discover the need for chimney repairs often times after winter, when the freeze and thaw cycles have already done its damage. Uncovering the symptoms early is the best way to keep chimney repairs down. Let’s discuss how that can be done.
Why Chicagoland Weather Is Especially Hard on Chimneys
Chicagoland has some of the most polarized weather. One day it’s a blizzard and the next week hot, humid and 100 degrees. That swing in weather conditions and temperatures are the real reasons why chimney repairs are needed.
When moisture from humid and rainy days’ soak into brick and mortar and then freezes, it expands. As it begins to thaw, the materials contract. Repeat that cycle dozens of times in a single Illinois winter and even solid masonry in the chimney starts to crack, spall, and separate from the joints holding it together. This is called the freeze thaw cycle. We’ve talked about it many times over the years, and it continues to be the single biggest reason homes need chimney repairs more often than homes in milder climates.
The Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA), the leading nonprofit certifying body for chimney professionals in the United States, notes that water intrusion is one of the most damaging and most preventable problems. If the problem is left to mature, it affects more than the appearance. It compromises the structure itself.
What Do Chimney Repairs Involve?
Not every chimney problem requires the same fix. Chimney repairs generally fall into a few categories. Understanding the difference, helps homeowners have a more informed conversation with the expert technician.
Mortar joint repair or tuckpointing. This involves removing deteriorated mortar between bricks and replacing it with fresh mortar, matched to the original color and texture as closely as possible.
Brick replacement. When individual bricks have spalled, meaning the face has cracked or popped off from trapped moisture, those bricks are removed and replaced.
Crown and cap repair. The crown is the concrete slab at the very top of the chimney. Cracks both big and small let water directly into the chimney flue. Chimney crown repair is often one of the most urgent forms of chimney repairs.
Flashing repair. Flashing is the barrier where the chimney meets the roofline. Loose, damaged or poorly installed flashing is a common source for water leaks. The roof gets the blame as it is the largest piece that covers the house. However, it certainly can be the overlooked chimney.
Flue and liner repair. Cracked flue tiles or damaged liners affect how safely a chimney vents smoke and combustion gases.
When to Know a Chimney Needs Repair
Most chimney damage shows up as small, easy to dismiss way. Let’s take a look at the following list. Be sure to print this out and keep it handy so if/when something happens, you know what to look for.
• Water stains near the fireplace or on the ceiling
• A brownish stain on the wall around your fireplace, or a stain on the ceiling near an exterior chimney. This means water is getting in somewhere it should not.
• Crumbling or missing mortar
• If you can see gaps between bricks, or mortar that flakes off when you touch it
• A leaning or visibly shifting chimney
• A chimney that appears to pull away from the house, even slightly, could indicate a structural issue
• White staining on the brick (efflorescence)
• Chalky white residue left behind as water evaporates out of the masonry. It is a visible sign that moisture is moving through brick
• Rusted damper or firebox components
• Metal parts inside a fireplace that are rusting are a strong indicator that moisture is present
• Debris in the fireplace
• Small chunks of brick, mortar, or tile landing in the firebox
What are the Various Types of Chimney Repair?
This is a compiled list of chimney repairs so you can be aware of what to look for. If you have any questions, contact us directly at 877-244-6349.
Type of Chimney Repair
Notes
Minor tuckpointing (small section)
Depends on accessibility and joint condition
Full tuckpointing (entire chimney)
More common on chimneys over 20 years old
Crown repair or replacement
Pair it with waterproofing
Brick replacement (several bricks)
Matching brick and mortar are matched as close as possible
Flashing repair
Can be mistaken for a roofing issue, source of water leaks
Flue liner repair
Wide range depending on liner type and chimney height
Full rebuild above the roofline
Needed when structural damage is extensive
Homeowners who schedule chimney repairs at the first sign of trouble typically spend far less than those who wait until water damage reaches the interior of the home. This is a great reason to contact Superior Chimney at 877-244-6349.
Why an Annual Inspection Matters More Than People Think
The CSIA and the National Fire Protection Association both recommend that chimneys, fireplaces, and vents be inspected at least once a year, whether or not the fireplace gets used. This recommendation exists because damage does not take a break just because a chimney sits without any use.
According to data stated by the CSIA, chimney related fires still contribute to tens of thousands of residential fires across the United States each year, and a large share of those incidents can be traced back to deferred maintenance. An annual chimney inspection is what catches the small mortar crack or the hairline crown crack before it turns into a repair bill.
Hiring the Right Company for Chimney Repairs
Not every company who offers chimney repair work has the certified training to diagnose a problem correctly. CSIA certification is the most widely recognized credential in the industry, and it requires technicians to study chimney physics, venting systems, and fire codes. After the studies, the new technician needs to pass an exam and agree to a professional code of ethics.
When you call, be sure to ask:
Are your technicians CSIA certified, and can I verify that certification?
Will you show me photos or video of the damage before starting work?
Does the estimate distinguish between cosmetic repair and structural repair?
At Superior Chimney, we welcome these and other of your questions.
How Chimney Repairs Affect Insurance and Resale
A chimney in poor condition can complicate a home sale or an insurance claim. Home inspectors routinely report on visible mortar loss, leaning chimneys, or missing chimney caps. Some insurers will request proof of repair before renewing a policy on an older home. Addressing chimney repairs proactively protects more than curb appeal. It protects the sale timeline and the claims history associated to the property.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should a Chicago area chimney be inspected? At least once a year, per CSIA and NFPA guidance, regardless of how often the fireplace is used.
Can chimney repairs be done in winter? Some interior repairs can happen in cold weather, but most masonry repair requires temperatures consistently above freezing. Spring and fall are the most common repair times in the Chicago area.
Is tuckpointing the same thing as chimney repair? Tuckpointing is one type of chimney repair, focused on replacing deteriorated mortar joints.
Does homeowners insurance cover chimney repairs? It depends. Sudden damage from a storm may be covered, while gradual deterioration from lack of maintenance typically is not.
So Finally…
Taking care of your home includes a chimney. Just because you don’t see it every day, doesn’t mean things aren’t happening. Be sure to get a chimney inspection done once per year by a certified and credible company such as Superior Chimney to take care of the issues. Contact us today by calling 877-244-6349.