Everything to Know About Rebuilding A Chimney

As we approach the spring season, you’ll soon start to put together your to-do list of home maintenance projects. One of the areas of your home that you may notice needs repair is your chimney. However, this type of project isn’t to be taken lightly. Today we’re going to go over all of the information you would want to know about rebuilding a chimney.

Signs you need to rebuild your chimney

The first sign your chimney may need to be rebuilt is crumbling masonry. Mortar joints that are cracked or crumbling will continue to grow into larger problems down the road. Tuckpointing or repointing is the solution to fix this issue.

Other signs to look for include a chimney structure that is physically leaning to one side or another as well as stains. The latter can be on the outside of your chimney or the inside of your home. Stains point to some kind of water-based problem.

Finally, larger cracks that run through multiple layers of masonry are a telltale sign that you should contact a professional ASAP.

Chimney preventative maintenance

There are a handful of things you can do throughout the year to prevent the need to rebuild your chimney. The first is to contact A-1 Chimney Specialist before the start of the cold weather season for a sweep and inspection. A second step is waterproofing your brick and mortar.

Another consideration is to keep an eye on the physical structure. If your chimney cap looks worn or broken or if you notice any crumbling within the masonry or crown, then let our team know ASAP.

Do you need to rebuild the entire chimney structure?

Not necessarily. Earlier we mentioned the possibility of tuckpointing or repointing your masonry. This process doesn’t involve the entire chimney system, yet would technically fall under the category of a chimney rebuild. In fact, a complete chimney rebuild would probably be considered a last resort.

The three types of chimney rebuilds

Following up on that last statement, there are three different types of chimney rebuilds. Let’s look at each of them briefly.

• A partial rebuilding of your chimney: Tuckpointing and repointing are examples of a partial chimney rebuild. With the former, your chimney sweep technician will fill in the gaps or cracks within your masonry. With the latter, all of the mortar joints are replaced. Another example of a partial rebuild is when you replace or repair a broken crown.
• Rebuilding from the roofline upward: If the interior structure of your chimney is sound, but the exterior needs replaced, this is known as rebuilding from the roofline. All externally visible chimney components are replaced while the inside is left untouched.
• A complete teardown and rebuild: As it sounds, this involves completely tearing down and rebuilding the entire chimney system.

Rebuilding a chimney the right way

Deciding which of the three types of chimney rebuilds is right for your home is easier when you’re working with a CSIA-certified chimney firm. That’s where our team comes in! We can help you make the right choice for your home, inspecting, sweeping, and repairing any problems we encounter while setting up a preventative maintenance schedule.

Would you like to learn more? Then contact the team at A-1 Chimney Specialist by calling us at 931-967-3595 (TN) or 256-285-4895 (AL). You can also send us a message via our online contact form.