Welcome to the Chicagoland area, the perfect weather conditions for the Freeze-Thaw cycles on your chimney. The Freeze-Thaw cycles put constant stress on the chimney with the expansion and contraction of the bricks and mortar. But why is Superior Chimney talking about it now? To get you ready for the changing and fluctuating temperatures, the exterior chimney needs to be checked now. Depending on how the weather holds up, you may only have until mid-late November where any repairs can be done before it gets too cold.
Getting Ready for the Cold, Dry and Wet Weather
We live in a wet, humid, cold and hot place. It’s inevitable that we’re going to experience the Freeze-Thaw cycle on your chimney. How does it work? When moisture makes its way into the smallest cracks or hairline cracks in the mortar joints, it can just sit there…and nothing will happen. Until the temperatures begin to drop below freezing or 32 degrees. That trapped water turns to ice.
Water expands when it freezes. This means that when it does, it will push the mortar and brick creating and widening cracks. When the weather begins to warm up, the ice will melt exposing the cracks and loosening of the bricks from the mortar. If repairs are not made at this time, the Freeze-Thaw cycle will repeat again causing the bricks and mortar to continue its separation and additional damage such as flaking or crumbling will begin. This will cause the structural integrity of the exterior of the chimney to weaken.
What Happens if the Chimney Weakens?
If the chimney weakens you can be sure that the mortar joints deteriorate, the bricks or stones will begin to shift, which means they will become loose. Most importantly, it will continue to get worse as water will make its way inside of the chimney and even your home. Tuckpointing not only makes the chimney look nice, it is serving a very important purpose. It is protecting your home from damages. By keeping the mortar sealed and weatherproofed before winter makes its way into Chicagoland, you can prevent costly repairs down the road.
Waterproof the Chimney
Waterproofing the chimney extends the life of the exterior chimney. Once your chimney has been swept and inspected by a Superior Chimney certified masonry expert, get any recommended repairs completed (if any). Next, we will apply a waterproofing agent directly onto the bricks and mortar to help prevent the bricks from flaking and mortar from absorbing water. Once completed, the waterproofing formula will last for 8 to 10 years. Now your chimney will be protected when the Freeze-Thaw cycle on your chimney begins this winter.
Contact Superior Chimney today to get the chimney swept, inspected and waterproofed for a safe and dry winter. Contact us at 877-244-6349.
