What To Do With A Spalling Brick Chimney 

Chimneys are a cozy addition to any home, but they are subject to wear and tear. Every severe storm risks damage to your chimney and fireplace. Overtime, you may notice that your chimney needs some attention and care. This is especially true if you notice any structural issues. Let’s take a look at some common issues you may notice.

What is spalling?

Spalling is a fairly common thing that happens to chimneys as they age. The main sign your chimney is spalling is when chimney bricks are flaking and falling off. It’s easy to see and important to catch early so it doesn’t progress and cause larger, more costly structural repairs down the line.

Why is my chimney spalling?

The biggest culprit of most structural chimney issues is moisture. Spalling is no different. Spalling may come from poorly constructed structures, poor bricks, or severe climate (or a mix of several factors).

More specifically, you may be experiencing spalling because of one or several of the following:

• Your contractor used salvaged bricks – these may have already been subject to water damage and years of use.
• Inexperience/inaccurate use of power washers – just as it sounds there’s a lot of power behind power washing and, if used improperly, can cause water damage or deterioration.
• Chimney crown damage – if damaged, it can cause moisture saturation in the actual masonry of your chimney. On top of that, the chimney crown blocks unwanted water and debris from getting outside so it’s important to repair that when possible.
• Severe low temperatures – freezing and thawing can lead to gaps and cracks in the masonry, allowing more water inside.

Possible Spalling Solutions

Luckily, there are several approaches to mediating the issues with your chimney’s water damage or structural issues. However, if you’ve noticed issues, it’s best to call licensed professionals as soon as you see it. A few common solutions they may take are:

• Replacing any damaged parts, such as the chimney cap or crown
• Installing something called a “cricket” which diverts water away from your chimney
• Remove and replace damages mortar or bricks if there are easy ways to replace a centralized location
• If there are large scale issues, our team will determine a plan to get you back to structural stability.

Notice crumbling or spalling bricks on your chimney?

If you notice your chimney has signs of foundational issues, they can come in many levels of severity. If you notice one or more of these signs, you should give your local chimney professionals at A-1 Chimney Specialists a call.

Our professionals are trained to inspect and create a plan to fix any issue they find. To ensure everyone’s safety, it’s best to leave the fixing to the professionals. If after reading this article you think you may know the source or have an idea, you can let our professionals know when you call.

Are you ready to get started? Then call the team at A-1 Chimney Specialist at 931-967-3595 (TN) or 256-285-4895 (AL); You can also send our team a message online to book your appointment as well.