CHIMNEY REPAIR

A SWEEP ACROSS THE BAY

CHIMNEY LINING INSTALLATION AND CHIMNEY REPAIR

When it comes to providing our Tampa Bay area customers with chimney repair services, the first item to evaluate is the condition of the chimney liner. Inside your chimney is a passage for flue gases created by combustion to exit your home. This passage is called a liner. However, some chimneys do not have a liner, and flue gases travel inside the bricks that make up the chimney. If there is no liner in your chimney or flue tiles become cracked or broken, we recommend installing a stainless steel chimney liner. Our liners are appropriate for furnace flues and fireplace flues.

A chimney liner insulates the chimney and prevents flue gases from entering your home. In addition, a chimney liner:

Increases structural stability of the chimney
Eases maintenance
Improves fuel efficiency
Increases fireplace safety

CHIMNEY REPAIR REPOINTING, MASONRY SERVICES

MASONRY PROBLEMS AND REPAIR

Moisture creeping into the bricks and mortar that bond the chimney together is the main reason for masonry failure. The penetrating moisture not only weakens the mortar that bonds the masonry units together, but it promotes premature deterioration of brick. If moisture finds its way into a defect on the brick and, by chance, freezes, it causes the brick to spall, deflect or displace. Once this happens, the brick loses its structural support to the masonry wall. Removing defective bricks will prevent water damage from spreading to the healthy and sound bricks remaining.

A Sweep Across the Bay has the experience to find what caused the masonry problem and how to prevent it from occurring again. We understand that buildings have different needs, and budget constraints play a large role. Therefore, we show each client a restoration plan with several options to choose from.

TUCKPOINTING

Tuck Pointing is the term used today when referring to a joint being repaired. Years ago, it meant something completely different. Tuck Pointing means removing the existing mortar between the bricks, stone, or blocks to a depth of about ½-inch and replacing the removed mortar with new mortar. Tuck Pointing is not considered to be a structural repair. Many contractors sell it as a structural repair but it is not, it is an aesthetic repair. Some will argue that it does help the overall structure, and in some cases, this could be true. However, because we cannot get the new mortar all the way across the joint, the industry does not recognize any structural effect.

CHIMNEY CAPS

The chimney cap we add to your home will prevent weather from spilling down your chimney. Chimney caps will also help keep fire sparks down where they should be and not hopping out onto your roof (which can be a big problem, especially with wooden shingles!)

Another benefit of chimney caps is that they can prevent birds, raccoons, and other animals from turning your chimney into their homes! Chimney flue caps keep nature out of your chimneys. Rain, wind, and animals are all kept from getting inside.

There are basically two types of chimneys and chimney caps to install on these chimneys:

Prefabricated chimneys designed in the mid-1980’s
Masonry chimneys with an exterior brick facade

The single flue caps come in standard sizes:

8×8, 8×13, 13×13, 8×17, and 13×18

The multi-flue masonry chimneys or non-extending flue tiles installation is more difficult.

CONCRETE CHIMNEY CROWNS

A chimney crown is a masonry roof that covers your chimney. The concrete crown prevents water from seeping into the masonry below. However, the concrete crown of a chimney can sometimes crack and allow water to flow into the chimney. If the cracks are extensive, a new crown may be needed.