Chimney crowns are the solid covers that sit on the highest points of a chimney. They are entirely strong and perform well for quite a long time. In the end, be that as it may, even the best-built structures can start to fall flat. There are numerous reasons why cracks form in crowns and realizing these reasons is one step toward shielding your chimney crown from requiring fixes in any case. Chimneys are continually exposed to the elements and damage from snow, rain, sunlight, and freeze-thaw damage. At the point when a smokestack crown gets split or cracked, it is significant that the circumstance is tended to immediately, before broader – and costly – harm occurs.
Here are a few indications you may have a damaged chimney crown:
- Cracking: Visible cracks in the concrete forming the crown can be filled or sealed, if they are still relatively small. Larger cracks might need more extensive repair.
- Falling flue tiles: If you notice small lumps of tiles gathering at the base of your fireplace it is an indication that the pipe coating your stack is harmed. If this issue is not tended to it can possibly prompt a house fire.
- Rust: Rust on the damper or in the firebox implies water is getting in there some way or another, potentially through a harmed smokestack crown. Rust must be completely cleaned, and the difficulty that caused it must be immediately fixed.
- Moisture Damage: If the wallpaper or walls within your home close to the fireplace are giving indications of dampness harm it could identify with water getting in through a defective crown.
- Mortar joint harm: Water that gets into a smokestack can harm mortar joints and cause them to begin disintegrating. On the off chance that you see unordinary particles at the base of the stack or in the firebox, it might imply that the fireplace crown is allowed in water.
It is imperative to keep up the structural integrity of your chimney as it can turn into a fire danger whenever ignored. Depending upon the degree of the harm to your chimney crown, the kind of repairs needed will fluctuate. The sooner you get issues the less intrusive work it will need to be fixed. On the off chance that your chimney crown has minor splits it should be fixed and sealed. In the event that the crown is in more noteworthy decay it might be an ideal opportunity to totally supplant and rebuild the crown.
These and other problems can be prevented by scheduling an annual inspection and cleaning with a professional chimney sweep. However, you do not want to hire just anyone to take care of the task. Mixing any old mortar and slapping it on top is going to leave you with additional issues in no time. Instead, you need a specially formulated mixture made of weather resistant materials to do the job. A cement chimney crown is likely your best option.
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