Thursday, March 19, 2015

What To Expect From A Minneapolis Chimney Repair

By Lelia Hall


Repairing chimney components helps prolong the life of the structure and makes it function efficiently. If chimneys are maintained properly, they can last for long. But maintaining chimneys is not just about cleaning them. While you may want to make sure these structures are cleaned regularly, it is also important to have them inspected of any defects and repaired by a Minneapolis chimney repair contractor.

A certified chimneys sweep technician may perform the detailed inspections of the components and the fireplace interiors but they may not be able to make the repairs. The inspectors may only recommend the kind of repairs you might have to do but they have no the skill and qualification to construct the structure. Remember that the construction of chimneys is part of building and construction work.

Moisture is probably the number one form of destructive forces that you have watch out for in chimneys. Damaged caps will allow water to enter in flues and cause a lot of damage. While the interior part may be exposed to extreme heat more than the upper part, it is most shielded from the harsh weather and the rate of deteriorating may be slow.

The mortar and bricks may detach or develop cracks. Moisture may cause flues to corrode especially those made of metal meaning that they develop holes. When moisture combines with creosote, it forms acids that can erode away the flue metallic substrates as well as cause deterioration of mortar and bricks. Water is the number one source of damage or deterioration of home components and parts.

You do not need to use a ladder so that you determine if the capping is damaged or defect. You may just want to step outside the house and take a look at the capping of chimneys. The capping is not masonry part of chimneys though it plays a vital protective role that helps the chimneys survive longer both interior and exterior.

Any area where it feels soft needs to be repaired. Tuckpointing is only carried out to partially damaged mortar. If the mortar joints are left unchecked for a long time, they will fail completely and the bricks may become loose and exposed. Whenever this occurs, it means that you have to rebuild the structure and tuckpointing may not be applicable anymore.

Chimneys have a hollow interior that surrounds the flue tiles. That space is important because it helps in directing the smoke outside the house. Because concretes or slabs that make the mortar of crown may suffer from moisture, it needs to be checked. One process that contractors handle when repairing chimneys is tuckpointing. Many people confuse tuckpointing with mortar joints.

Moreover, moisture may enter chimneys and cause the bricks, concretes, and other masonry surfaces to develop cracks that weaken the structural integrity of the structures. When water dissolves creosote material, an acidic compound may be formed which can speedily eat away the flues of chimneys. If your chimneys do not have caps, you may want to have them replaced. Therefore, chimneys should be protected of water and moisture damage.




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