5 Signs Your Chimney is Failing

Using your fireplace in the winter
is an amazing experience, especially during the holidays. However
, as great as they are, if there are problems with your chimney, you won’t be able to use it much longer. Here are five signs your chimney is failing to keep an eye out for as you use yours this season.

Leaks

Here at Fire N’ Stone, one of the most common issues we see with chimney systems is leaks. Leaks come from a variety of possible sources, not limited to and including:

• Poor flashing
• Missing bricks
• Cracked mortar
• A broken crown
• A missing cap

We’ll unpack a few of these shortly, but needed to address leaks on the whole separately from the rest. Leaks can compromise the structural integrity of your chimney, lead to mold issues inside your home, and eventually result in significant renovation costs depending on how bad the damage spreads.

Creosote or debris blockages

Creosote is a thick, leftover substance from the burning of organic materials. Over time, a layer can build up within your flue. While a chimney sweep is the best way to remove this, the longer it builds up the worse it’ll be for your system. In addition, if the wood you use hasn’t been seasoned or fully dried out, creosote buildup can happen much faster than you’d think.

Likewise, debris blockages can point to a missing or malfunctioning cap. Blockages, regardless of the type, will eventually lead to system breakdown and a chimney fire.                                                                                                          

Missing bricks or faulty mortar

If you can see missing bricks from your yard while looking up, this is a sign your chimney is failing and should not be used. Likewise, if you’re up on the roof and see holes or gaps in the mortar, cease using your chimney. In both cases, they can lead to structural collapse and larger problems for your home.

Rusted dampers, cap, or flashing

Any of your metal components that have rusted are signs that your chimney is failing. A rusted damper can limit the amount of airflow in and out of your chimney. A rusted cap can let debris and water in. And if your flashing is rusted, it’s not going to seal as well and can let water seep into your chimney (and potentially to other parts of your house as well).

A broken crown

Most crowns are made of metal, concrete, or stone. They’re your best line of defense for whatever the elements throw your way. A broken crown can lead to integrity issues with your mortar, water leaks, and more.

If your chimney is failing, we’re happy to fix it for you

From leaks to issues with your mortar, there isn’t an issue with a fireplace or chimney we can’t tackle. As our motto says, from frame to finish we do it all! We’ll fix your leaks, unblock your flue, repair the physical structure, replace rusted components, and can even fix a broken crown.

At Fire N’ Stone, we’re the experts that can help you with any fireplace-related request. Contact us at 603-293-4040 or fill out our short contact form here.