Our Chimney Masonry Repair Services Ensure Safer & More Beautiful Chimneys in Noblesville
Bricks and mortar are fundamental components of many fireplaces and chimneys, which means damaged or deteriorating masonry can compromise the entire structure. Professional chimney brick repair services ensure the system’s stability, prevent further damage, and maintain the safety of your home.
Here in the Noblesville area, we get our fair share of crazy weather. All that snow, rain, sleet, and ice doesn’t just take a toll on us – it takes a toll on the masonry of our chimneys as well. If not addressed, moisture damage can cause all sorts of problems that spread from the chimney to other areas of the home (think staining, deterioration, mold growth, wood rot, and more).
Fortunately there’s a crew to help with it all. For Noblesville chimney repair and masonry repair count on us – call or book online now.
About Our Brick Replacement, Mortar Repair & Tuckpointing Services
If you’ve noticed lots of moisture or water in your fireplace, that’s a clear sign that your bricks and mortar need some attention. This can be an incredibly dangerous situation, not just in terms of fireplace usage, but for the structure of your home as well.
Here’s what we do to keep your bricks and mortar healthier…
- For your bricks… Bricks are the actual blocks making up your chimney structure. When they’re cracking or missing, your entire structure is left vulnerable. We can ensure any damaged bricks are replaced with matching pieces, so that your chimney stands stronger and looks great for many more years to come.
- For your mortar… Mortar holds the bricks (or stones) together in your fireplace and chimney…which means that deteriorating or weakened mortar joints can lead to gaps, water infiltration, and reduced stability. Mortar repair (tuckpointing) maintains its structural integrity, preventing water damage and maintaining a more secure fireplace system.
How does the tuckpointing process work?
Tuckpointing is meant to restore the strength, integrity, and appearance of your masonry by replacing the old mortar with fresh mortar. This can help extend the life of your fireplace and protect the value of your home. Here’s the lowdown on the process:
- Before starting, we’ll prepare the area by removing any loose mortar, dirt, or dust from the joints. We’ll then clean the joints, ensuring they’re ready for new mortar.
- Next, we choose the appropriate mortar mix for your project. The mortar should match the color and texture of the existing mortar as closely as possible.
- Then, using a pointing trowel, we apply the mortar mix to the cleaned mortar joints, filling the area completely, and ensuring that the mortar is packed tightly and evenly.
- After applying the base mortar, we use a pointing tool or a tuckpointing trowel to create grooves along the center of the joints. This removes excess mortar and creates a clean, uniform appearance.
- Finally, we use a finishing tool to smooth the surface of the mortar joints. This helps blend the new mortar with the existing mortar and creates a uniform appearance.
Once the mortar has dried sufficiently, we will use a soft brush or damp cloth to remove any excess mortar from the brick or stone surfaces, being very careful in the process not to disturb the new joints.
Then, you’ll need to allow the mortar to cure, after which you should be all set for a couple decades.
What Causes Masonry Chimney Damage?
It’s true that masonry chimneys in good condition can stand the test of time…but that doesn’t mean they’re indestructible. Over the years, chimneys can take on a lot of wear and tear because you can’t shelter them as you would with your other home appliances.
What are the main causes of this damage?
- Water: Moisture can wreak havoc on a chimney because bricks are porous and naturally absorb water. Once water gets in, it can damage a lot of different parts of the chimney system and your home.
- Fire and excessive heat: Chimneys are meant for transporting fumes, not for taking on heat. In fact, most materials will break down when they’re exposed to excessive heat for long periods of time. And, although your masonry chimney was built to somewhat contain heat, it should never come into direct contact with flames.
- A missing or damaged liner: The chimney liner helps vent acidic fumes out of your home. When the liner is damaged – or if you have an older chimney that doesn’t have a liner at all – those acidic toxins can cause deterioration in the masonry and leak into your home.
- Damaged components: A chimney appears to be a simple structure, but you should really think of your chimney like an orchestra – it has a lot of parts and it can only work at its best when each of those parts is performing the right way. If the damper is broken, for instance, you may have trouble maintaining a fire. Or if the flashing is damaged, it’s only a matter of time before you get a chimney leak.
- Human error during construction: It’s an unfortunate fact, but human error can be a factor. Perhaps the brick wasn’t laid right in places or a DIY tuckpointing job went wrong – it may not be a problem right away, but it will be eventually.
- Neglect: Masonry chimneys can last a lifetime when they’re well-maintained. Scheduling just one chimney inspection and sweeping each year can save you a lot of time and money on repairs over time.
How Do I Know if I Need Masonry Repairs?
In a perfect world, you’d know the instant something went wrong with your chimney or fireplace…but problems typically reveal themselves only after they’ve had some time to simmer. Keep an eye out for the following clues and give us a call when you spot them:
- Brick discoloration
- Small cracks
- Mold or mildew growth
- Crumbling mortar
- Water in your firebox
- Smoke entering your home
The following signs might be an indication that your chimney is structurally compromised. Call us immediately if you notice any of the following:
- The chimney is leaning or tilting
- Large cracks and spalling brick
- Receding and cracking mortar joints
- Complete masonry destruction
Is Cold Weather Harmful to Masonry Chimneys?
The cold months in Noblesville and Central Indiana are notoriously tough – temperatures drop and we get more than our fair share of snow. While you’re able to hunker down in front of your fireplace or bundle up when you head outdoors to deal with the harsh cold, have you thought about how winter weather affects your chimney?
Here’s the thing – if your chimney has been regularly maintained and is adequately protected, you shouldn’t face any major issues. You’ll want to book inspections annually, invest in a quality chimney cap, and have professional waterproofing services completed.
If you neglect it, though, you’re bound to face some issues – namely, the freeze/thaw cycle.
What is the freeze/thaw cycle?
Bricks naturally absorb water. During winter, temperatures drop at night and the water in the brick freezes. This causes the masonry to expand and it can lead to cracking and spalling of the bricks. When the sun comes up and temperatures tick back up, the ice thaws, and the water contracts again. This cycle, known as the freeze/thaw process, repeats continuously and can result in structural damage.
The best way to avoid this type of damage is with professional waterproofing services. That said, if damage has already occurred, swift repairs are a must. Don’t wait! Call us in today.
Can I Repair My Masonry Chimney Myself?
You’re pretty handy and you have a reputation for fixing small things around the house. Is DIY masonry repair even an option?
We don’t recommend it. There are a lot of ways for DIY repairs to go wrong.
Let’s say you decide to apply waterproofing products yourself. You think you’ve done it correctly, but after a bad storm, you see water spots in your ceiling. Turns out, you missed some areas and the product you got wasn’t as high-quality as you thought.
Now, what could have been an easy preventive service has now turned into an expensive repair job. Not only will we have to come in and redo the waterproofing job, but you’ll also have the added expense of fixing your damaged ceiling as well…along with your brickwork, mortar, and anything else that water has gotten to.
So, before you climb up on your roof, stop…and get in touch with our experts first. We have the protective gear and equipment to ensure that repairs are completed in the safest manner possible and done right the first time.
Count On Beck’s for Your Masonry Chimney Repairs
As a homeowner, you want your home and chimney to look beautiful and remain strong and stable with every passing year. Yet, as durable as brickwork is, sometimes it needs a little TLC…and that’s where we come in.
Do you suspect masonry damage? At the very least, you should have your fireplace and chimney inspected by the experienced team at Beck’s. When your chimney is starting to look rough around the edges or it’s been awhile between inspections, call or get your appointment booked. We’re here for you!
It’s important to keep your firebox in good repair and our chimney repair experts can handle the job for great results.