Old Smokey's Fireplace & Chimney's Blog

Does your old brick need some newness?

Imagine baking in the hot sun summer after summer. Picture yourself pelted by wind, snow, ice and rain in the dead of winter. Day after day. Obviously, humans do not have to withstand such weathery assaults — at least not in such large and prolonged doses! But chimneys do. And no matter the quality of the materials used in your chimney, time and the elements will exact a toll.

Old bricks need new attention.

Let Old Smokey’s Fireplace & Chimney take a careful, close look at the aging brickwork on your chimney. We’ll give you an honest appraisal — and recommend repair, repointing, restoration, or rebuild (but only if you really need it).

Brick, stone and mortar have been used to build fireplaces and chimneys for centuries. And for good reason. Brick, for example, is durable. It readily withstands merciless onslaughts from the elements —and from ordinary use. Your brickwork might only need relatively routine maintenance, or something more radical and substantial.

Let’s take a closer look at what your masonry might need.

Repair of Poor Construction

A poorly built chimney may function improperly, and it simply will not last as long as a properly built structure. Old Smokey’s frequently encounters poorly designed or executed chimney construction that causes unforeseen problems. Have us take a close look, if you are not sure of the quality of your chimney construction.

Repair of Water or Moisture Damage

Water or moisture damage is common and pervasive. It can cause a host of problems, from cracking and crumbling joints and bricks to discoloration and mold growth. Don’t delay. Call Old Smokey’s today to inspect for leaks so that we can undertake chimney repairs in a thoroughly professional manner.

Repair of Weather, Time or Aging Damage

As we said, your chimney brickwork is constantly under attack, from season to season. It’s not unlike the risks a person’s skin faces. Aging is inevitable, but let a pro from Old Smokey’s be the dermatologist, so to speak, of your chimney brickwork. Our experts will walk you through repair options geared toward renewed life for your venerable chimney.

Repointing

Repointing involves the removal of eroding mortar joints and replacing them with smooth, new mortar. It’s one of our most common chimney jobs. It’s a tedious task, but it allows Old Smokey’s to make good use of our expert knowledge of masonry history, materials, techniques and tools.

Full Rebuild or Restoration

Sometimes a chimney just can’t be repaired; it’s not cost-effective. You have to “punt” and go for a full rebuild. Let our experienced masons replicate — and surpass — your chimney’s original beauty and functionality.

Top-Tier Quality

We are proud of the artisans 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 us at 260-424-0009 or 800-876-6539 or click here now to schedule an appointment. We thank you. And so do your aging bricks.

Do You Have Deteriorating Brick and Mortar on Your Chimney and Fireplace?

Because of the inherent nature of the materials used to build traditional masonry chimneys, with the lone exception being those that have been adequately waterproofed, water is naturally going to soak into the bricks and mortar. This water intrusion ultimately speeds up the weathering process and causes premature aging. The mortar between the bricks cracks and crumbles over the course of time because of this constant exposure to the elements. It’s not only unpleasant looking, but also could be a sign of serious damage. The damaged mortar eventually crumbles and falls away, leaving open areas between the bricks that will allow even more water to invade your chimney. This leads to even more issues. If you’ve noticed any of this happening to your chimney, fear not.

MAKING NECESSARY REPAIRS

The damaged, old and loose mortar on your chimney can be removed from the joints between the bricks and then replaced with new mortar or masonry repair caulk during a process called repointing. Only a skilled professional should repoint a chimney, as the work requires an experienced hand. During this process, the existing mortar joint is cut to an appropriate depth and the joint is then packed with new mortar. The new mortar joint is then tapered to create a concave surface that directs water out of the joint.

SEPARATING THE GOOD FROM THE BAD

A professional repointing job, using proper materials, will increase your chimney’s lifespan while at the same time enhancing its appearance. Repointing is far more than just slapping some mortar into your chimney’s cracks, however. The process requires different skills than your everyday, run-of-the-mill masonry; it’s not that surprising that even brick masons who have years of experience in the trade might not have significant experience repointing chimneys. The biggest challenge to repointing a chimney is simply determining just how much mortar is damaged and removing it without causing additional damage. Removing even a smidge too much can further compromise the structure of your chimney. Knowing how much is enough takes a skilled eye.

COMPLETING THE REPAIR PROCESS

Once the damaged mortar has been removed, the new mortar has to be mixed. The new mortar should be as similar to the original mortar as possible so as to avoid premature mortar deterioration down the road. The freshly mixed mortar is then placed between the brick via a layering process involving gradual compacting and tooling to ensure that it adheres to the old mortar in the best way possible. This is another place where a skilled hand is invaluable, as this process isn’t for a greenhorn brick mason.

While all masonry will need repointing at some point, chimneys are particularly susceptible to water damage, as their location subjects them to constant exposure to the elements. Their location, high atop your roof, also makes them difficult to monitor for signs of damage. This is yet another reason to have your chimney inspected prior to the beginning of the heating season. Timely chimney repair will most certainly save you money, and who doesn’t like that? The CSIA-certified technicians at Old Smokey’s Fireplace and Chimney will give you peace of mind in knowing that your chimney will be safe and sound for many years to come.