Groover Roofing & Siding will inspect your chimney as part of the roof inspection.
One of the most overlooked causes of interior water penetration is a chimney in need of attention. Groover Roofing & Siding has been called to properties with a brand new roof installed by someone else to find that water is still entering the structure. The inexperienced roofer did not inspect the chimney, it was the cause of the leak and a new roof may have not been needed to stop water penetration, the problem was caused by a deteriorated chimney.
Chimney leaks and water penetration cause interior and exterior damage to your home and masonry chimney. Water inside your chimney causes rust in steel and cast iron, weakening or destroying the metal parts, and compromising fire worthiness – all creating fireplace chimney repair or chimney rebuild needs.
Your entire home is protected by the roof and eaves, all except your chimney. The chimney sticks up above the roof and is constantly exposed to the elements; rain, snow, wind, freeze and the thaw cycles of winter. Masonry materials deteriorate when they absorb moisture and are exposed to the freeze and thaw cycles of cold winter weather, causing undue stress and loss of structural integrity.
Groover Roofing & Siding chimney rebuilds include set up – (scaffolding or toe boards, depending on job content) – tear down and disposal of damaged chimney areas and reconstruction of existing chimney.
The following classifications are the most common of required chimney rebuilds:
- Partial chimney rebuilds: small chimneys (no scaffolding in most cases) or only the top few courses of a large chimney, plus a new crown. Replace damaged brick and tuck point where needed.
- Roof line up chimney rebuilds: Substantial mortar and/or brick deterioration has eliminated the possibility of a tuck pointing restoration. The structure is torn down to the flashing area near the roof line, and then the chimney rebuild commences with a new crown and install new fire clay flu liner.
- Complete chimney rebuilds: Complete tear down of chimney into your attic space and the chimney rebuild commences. Includes crown. Total chimney rebuilds are necessary when the chimney is leaning, has severe mortar deterioration or severe brick spalling has occurred from attic space up.
A chimney crown is of the greatest protection for the masonry construction beneath it by helping to prevent the need for fireplace chimney repairs and chimney rebuilding. The crown is the top element of a masonry chimney rebuild (cement slab). It protects the top of the chimney starting at the fire clay flue liner and hangs over the chimneys edge (drip edge).
Most masonry chimneys have “crowns” which are constructed from 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. Weather situations allow water to penetrate the chimney and cause roof leakage which can damage the roof decking and roof structure requiring chimney rebuilds.
