When is the last time your chimney masonry was inspected? Masonry issues are some of the most common and most expensive issues that we get called in for. However, many of these issues can be prevented with an annual chimney inspection. The Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) suggests getting your chimney inspected at least once a year by a CSIA certified chimney technician. If you live in the Knoxville area, TN Fireplace and Chimney has the city’s only CSIA certified chimney technicians. Only our chimney technicians have been trained and have the experience to inspect your masonry and repair any issues correctly.
Common Masonry Issues
We would love it if we never found masonry issues when we conducted our inspections. Often, if it has been well maintained and received annual inspections, we won’t find anything wrong with the chimney. However, over time, even the best-maintained chimneys will start having some minor masonry issues. Some of the most common masonry issues we come across are loose or crumbling bricks, missing mortar, water stains, or brick erosion. When we notice one of these issues, it is important to get them fixed right away. If not, your masonry issue might get worse leading to a nonfunctioning chimney system and higher repair costs in the future.
There are some common aesthetic issues that we come across as well. Moisture and smoke can leave unsightly stains on your brickwork. Although these stains are relatively harmless to your masonry, most homeowners would rather not look at them.
Most of these masonry issues are moisture related. Moisture is masonry’s worst enemy and over time, exposure to moisture will slowly erode at your brickwork and mortar. This problem is compounded if moisture is allowed to seep into your masonry and settle in there. During winter, this moisture will freeze and expand, weakening your masonry from the inside out.
We can help!
At TN Fireplace and Chimney, our CSIA certified masonry experts have seen it all when it comes to masonry issues. One of the most important services we offer are our preventative maintenance services. This can include anything from installing a chimney cap to prevent rain from getting in your chimney to waterproofing your masonry. We can also help if you have any current chimney issues – from chimney stain removal to rebuilds, to tuckpointing, we can do it all. Trust Knoxville’s number one masonry experts to get the job done for you.
Now is a great time for a chimney inspection! At TN Fireplace and Chimney, we enjoy doing our masonry work in the spring and summer because we aren’t as busy as we are in the fall and winter. This means that you chimney is guaranteed to be operational by the time winter comes. Call us now at (865) 922-2262 or schedule an appointment online with Knoxville’s only certified masonry experts today.
