Do you indulge in daydreams of wintry ice, sleet and snow in the air-conditioned dog days of summer? Perhaps to keep cool. Nevertheless, these sweltering days are an ideal time to consider 
chimney problems that might affect your comfort on a cold February night.
Maybe after last year’s chimney inspection, you heard: “We saw some potential masonry issues. You don’t have chimney leaks yet, but keep an eye on those cracks.” You might have heard something more dire, and just forced it out of your mind. We won’t judge you. It’s human nature.
Even though we are in the heat of summer, let Old Smokey’s Fireplace & Chimney prevent costly chimney repairs. Any masonry problems are easier to repair in summer than in winter.
The season of swimming pools and golf is prime time for preventing freeze and thaw damage and other masonry adverse conditions.
Chimneys take a beating from harsh winter weather and heat spells, too. One element Old Smokey’s assesses is the chimney crown. Like gargoyles on European cathedrals, chimney crowns are functional; they divert rain, sleet and hail away from your chimney masonry. Crowns are both functional and beautiful – if properly designed and built. But the untrained eye won’t necessarily detect crown cracks that are the warning sign of leaks to come.
Engage the trained eyes of Old Smokey’s professionals.
Summertime crown repairs are both easier and smarter than work in icy times. Repairing your chimney crown in the summer makes sense because it’s an easier work environment: more daylight hours for working and better conditions for sealing and setting.
Several other kinds of masonry repairs are ideally suited for summertime work.
For example, your brickwork might need routine maintenance — or significant rehabilitation. Perhaps your chimney was poorly designed and built. Old Smokey’s often sees this. We can fix it.
Water or moisture damage is another candidate for summer repairs. Moisture intrusion in chimneys is common and pervasive. It can cause multiple problems, from cracking and crumbling joints and bricks to discoloration and mold growth. Call Old Smokey’s today to inspect for leaks so that we can undertake chimney repairs before the cold weather.
Repointing is another common masonry repair. Repointing involves the removal of eroding mortar joints and replacing them with smooth, new mortar. Old Smokey’s has the knowledge, materials, techniques and tools to do repointing right.
Let Old Smokey’s Fireplace & Chimney take an honest and professional look at the brickwork on your chimney. We’ll give you an appraisal — and recommend repair, repointing, restoration, or rebuild as needed.
We are proud of the trained craftsmen who make up our team. For 20-plus years, Old Smokey’s has delivered excellence to homeowners in northern Indiana, northern Ohio and mid-Michigan. Folks from Elkhart in the west to Ypsilanti in the east, from Lansing in the north to Defiance and Fort Wayne in the south know Old Smokey’s.
Call Old Smokey’s at 260-424-0009 or 800-876-6539 or click here to schedule an appointment. Now go ahead and put more sunscreen on.