Chimney Repair Services

Masonry chimney repair is crucial to ensure the structural soundness of a building’s exterior. It’s highly recommended to schedule a yearly chimney inspection to evaluate necessary maintenance requirements.

We only do chimney repair, inspect, install, and sell the following:

Ash Dump & Clean-Out Doors
Chimney Foundation, Firebox & Smoke Chambers
Chimney Rebuilds
Cultured Stone & Stucco
Crown, Shoulder & Flue Tiles
Damper Repairs & Installations
Façades, Hearths & Mantles
Flashing (chimney & roof)
Fireplace Relining
Mailboxes, Pillars, Planter Boxes & Masonry Walls
Moss Removal & Waterproofing
Outdoor Fireplaces & BBQ Pits
Stainless Steel Chimney Caps
Tuck Pointing (mortar repair)
Wood Stoves & Parts Installed (inserts & free standing)

Masonry Chimney Repair Facts

Crown Repair

The chimney crown wash or splay/wash is the top element of a masonry chimney. It also covers and seals the top of the chimney from the flue liners to the chimney edge. Most masonry chimneys are built with an inadequate crown constructed from a common mortar mix, the same mixture used to lay the bricks of the chimney. This mortar is not designed for and will not withstand years of weather abuse without cracking, chipping, or deteriorating situations that allow water to penetrate the chimney. In fact, most sand and mortar crowns crack almost immediately after installation because of shrinkage. Cracks or missing pieces in the mortar crown can lead to extensive water damage in your chimney and very costly repair. Fixing these problems as soon as possible is important in saving you money!

NFPA 211 Crown Definition

A sloped covering for the top of a masonry chimney that’s designed to shed water away from the flue liner and the chimney and to allow expansion and movement of the flue liner.

NFPA 211 Section A.3.3.51 Crown

Masonry chimney termination includes considerations of weather protection for the chimney and thermal expansion of the flue liner.

A chimney crown offers the advantage of extension beyond the sides of the chimney to direct water away from both the flue and the chimney. A properly sealed space between the liner and the crown to allow vertical movement of the flue should be a design feature of prefabricated or site-constructed masonry or metal crowns.

A site-applied wash or splay may require frequent maintenance to ensure that it remains impervious to water penetration. Because a splay or a wash does not extend out past the chimney, it allows water to run down the sides of a chimney, which can result in chimney deterioration. Care must be taken to provide for vertical movement of the flue liner as required in section 7.2.13.4.

See Figure A.‍3.3.51.

Figure A.3.3.51 Chimney Crown and Splay/Wash

NFPA 211 Section 7.2.13.4

The crown, splay, or wash shall be constructed to allow for unrestricted vertical movement of the flue lining due to thermal expansion without allowing the introduction of moisture into the chimney.

Damper Repair

A chimney damper is a metal plate that can be positioned to close off the chimney when not in use. Because the damper prevents outside air from specifically entering the interior space. Additionally, a damper can be opened to permit hot gases to exhaust during a fire. Furthermore, a damper also stops heat from escaping up your chimney when the fireplace is not in use. If your fireplace does not have a damper or a tight-fitting set of glass doors you will obviously be pumping money up your chimney. At this time, the two top damper designs currently on the market are the Lyemance (pivoting door) and the Lock Top (translating door).

Throat Damper

A throat damper is a metal plate at the base of the chimney. This damper is located just above the firebox. Also, it can be opened and closed by a lever, gear, or chain to seal off the fireplace from the chimney. Additionally, because the throat damper is subjected to intense heat from the fire directly below. Therefore, it is common for the metal to become warped eventually over time. Thus furthermore degrading the ability of the throat damper to seal significantly. However, the advantage of a throat damper is that it seals off the living space from the air mass in the chimney. Which, especially for chimneys positioned on the outside of the wall of the home, is generally very cold. Therefore, it is possible in practice to use both a top damper and a throat damper to obtain the benefits of both.

Top Mounting Damper

A top damper or cap damper is a metal spring door placed at the top of the chimney. Additionally, the damper has a long metal chain that allows one to open and close the damper from the fireplace. The advantage of a top damper is the tight weatherproof seal that it provides when closed. Therefore, it prevents cold outside air from flowing down the chimney and into the living space. Subsequently, a feature that can rarely be matched by the metal-on-metal seal afforded by a throat damper.

Tuck Pointing (mortar repair)

The process of repairing a mortar joint in a brick wall is called “tuckpointing.” The term comes from the process of tucking mortar into the damaged mortar joint with the point of a trowel called a “pointing trowel.” Tuckpointing is a critical maintenance task and keeps water from entering the brick wall cavity. If water is allowed to get past the mortar and into the wall, brick failure may occur such as cracking or spalling (popping off of the brick face). Failure to fix cracks in your joints can lead to very costly repairs the longer it is left unfixed. Adams Chimney Specialist specializes in tuckpointing repair. Call today for an estimate on chimney repair.

Waterproofing Your Chimney

Most Masonry materials are porous and will absorb large amounts of water. Common brick is like a sponge, absorbing water and wicking moisture to the chimney interior. Defective mortar joints or the use of improper mortar or brick can greatly increase the tendency to absorb and convey water to the interior of the masonry chimney structure.

Several products have been developed specifically for use as waterproofing agents on masonry chimneys. These formulas are vapor permeable which means that they allow the chimney to breathe out, but not in. Thus water that has penetrated the chimney, or moisture that has originated from inside, is allowed to escape, while the waterproofing agent prevents water from entering from the outside.

Water damage to masonry chimneys is usually a slow, subtle process. The problem is often not evident until it has become quite serious.

Although these water prevention measures may cost a few dollars initially, they will save you the major expense of large masonry repairs or rebuilding of the entire chimney in the not-too-distant future, and as such represent a wise investment in your home.

Adams Chimney Specialist LLC uses ChimneySaver Water Repellent with moss and algae stain blocker which is the #1 water repellent for your chimney and masonry. ChimneySaver Water Repellents come with a 7-year Warranty and will reduce water penetration into the masonry by 99.9% according to ASTM tests conducted at the University of Wyoming.