Chimney repointing is an important process to maintain the structural integrity of the chimney. With time, the bricks and mortar tend to deteriorate, which puts the chimney at risk. So, the best way to deal with the situation is chimney repointing by chimney contractors. However, not many homeowners are aware of this concept. Let’s take a closer look and see how you can keep your chimney in perfect working condition.

When Does A Chimney Need Repointing?

Having a chimney in your house is important for obvious reasons especially if you have a fireplace installed. The wood burning inside the fireplace produces toxic gasses as a byproduct. These gasses exit through the chimney so that your house does not get clogged up. Plus, inhaling toxic gasses tends to damage the lungs as well.

On the other hand, there is also a chimney structure outside on the roof. This structure needs to be in perfect working condition. With time, the structural integrity of the chimney due to several reasons such as extreme weather conditions can turn weak.

Furthermore, one of the most common cause of chimney deterioration is when the mortar between the bricks begins to crumble and fall away. When this happens, the position of your chimney is compromised and it might tilt to one side.

This could lead to several issues. The chimney should remain in its original position. This is only possible if the chimney is repointed. Spotting a chimney needing repointing is fairly easy but will require a professional working on it.

Why It’s Important To Repoint Your Chimney

As mentioned earlier, chimneys comprise two important elements: brick and mortar. Even though bricks can withstand years of wear and tear, but the mortar can’t. At some point, the mortar becomes weak and it is something unavoidable. At the same time, building a chimney structure entirely out of solid brick material is going to be expensive.

So, the only cost-effective solution is to use mortar to join the bricks. However, only on one condition and that is replacing the mortar periodically to keep the chimney and its structure in perfect condition.

There are also some other reasons for repointing your chimney.

Increases The Life Of Chimney

Chimney repointing surely increases the life of a chimney. As said already, bricks can withstand extreme weather conditions for decades but mortar cannot even stand a quarter of that. Over time, the weather conditions and changes in temperature force the mortar to crumble and fall.

This increases the strength of the chimney’s structure. Therefore, if you schedule chimney repointing, you can prevent the chimney from losing its position and strength. As soon as you observe signs of needing a repointing, you should consult an expert.

Save Money

Chimney repointing helps you have a huge amount of money. Most homeowners assume the opposite and do not believe in chimney repointing. As a result, years later the same homeowners find themselves splashing money on rebuilding the entire chimney from scratch as they didn’t perform chimney repair Columbia MD when required.

However, this could have been easily avoided if the chimney was repointed periodically. The cost associated is a lot less than building an entirely new chimney. In addition to that, chimney repointing will also help keep your chimney looking brand new.

The last thing you would want is the entire house to look fresh while the chimney suffers from failing mortar. That is not going to be appealing for your guests. So, chimney repointing in that respect will improve the aesthetics of the chimney as well.

Keep Your Home Waterproof

One of the most important reasons chimney repointing is necessary is to keep your house waterproof. As the chimney loses its structural integrity, especially crumbling mortar, water will leak inside. When it is raining outside, do not be surprised if you find water coming through the chimney.

This does not only further damage the chimney structure but also the interior of the house. Water collected inside the chimney will cause additional problems.

Signs To Repoint Your Chimney?

The most obvious sign your chimney needs repointing is when the mortar is failing. This can be difficult to spot as chimneys are on the roof and sometimes access is an issue, especially in the case of high-rise buildings. However, if you spot debris falling from the chimney such as brick pieces or mortar, it means the chimney needs repointing.

Furthermore, if you cannot access the roof to inspect the chimney, we will recommend hiring an expert. This will not only help access the roof but also allow the expert to thoroughly check and inspect signs that are not visible to the untrained eye.

Is Chimney Repointing Expensive?

The cost of repointing a chimney depends on several factors such as the intensity of the damage, the number of chimneys, and the size. Larger properties tend to have more than one chimney which will of course add to the costs. Generally, chimney repointing jobs are not that cheap.

So, if you are budget-constrained, you might be hesitant to get the repointing done. But, on the other hand, it is important to prevent serious situations where the chimney needs to be built from scratch. That will surely be a lot more expensive.

How Often Does A Chimney Need Repointing?

Chimney repointing is needed as soon as you spot signs of deterioration or damage. This does not have to do anything with the last time your chimney was repointed. It might be that your chimney needs repointing twice or thrice a year. Then again, it depends on the craftsmanship and experience of the expert.

If you hire an amateur for the task expecting to save a few hundred dollars, you will need repointing a lot sooner than you think. However, if the chimney is maintained and looked after the right way, you can expect the repointing intervals to last around thirty years.

Why Do I Need To Hire A Professional?

Hiring a professional is the only way to keep your chimney in perfect working condition. Apart from having the tools, equipment, and skills, chimney experts carry experience that allows them to thoroughly inspect the chimneys and entire roofs to determine the root cause of the problem.

Sometimes, the culprit is not only the chimney but some other problems in the roof. That said, an expert will take a detailed look and track down the main cause of the problem. This will help avoid frequent repairs and replacements that will cost you a lot of money.

Plus, there is also the matter of height. Climbing the roof can be seriously risky especially if you do not have prior experience. You can easily slip and fall leading to life-threatening injuries. Therefore, someone who climbs roofs for a living is better suited for such jobs.

Conclusion

Chimney repointing is the only way to keep your chimney intact. Hire a professional to perform detailed inspections and repairs. Plus, always be on the lookout for any signs that might point to failing bricks and mortar. If required, consult an expert for chimney inspection Upper Marlboro. That way, you will be able to fix the chimney before it makes living unbearable for you and your family members.