With the arrival of winter, you should make sure your chimney is ready to withstand the colder weather ahead of us. Masonry chimneys are built to last for years; however, the brutally cold temperatures of winter can cause a lot of damage to the bricks and mortar joints of your chimney. Fortunately, All American Chimney Service can help you avoid chimney masonry damage this winter with several of our professional chimney maintenance and repair services. We would like to tell you more about the damage cold weather can do to your chimney and how we can help you prevent masonry deterioration.
What kind of damage can cold weather do to my chimney?
TheChimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA)warns homeowners of the damage that water penetration can do to masonry chimneys, especially during the winter. The bricks and mortar of your chimney absorb water every time it rains or snows because masonry materials are naturally porous. When the temperature falls below the freezing point, any moisture within the bricks and mortar joints will freeze and expand, which causes stress upon the masonry materials. As the weather warms back up, the force of the water thawing can cause the bricks and mortar to crack, break apart, and even become loose and fall from the chimney structure. Repeated freeze/thaw cycles can accelerate deterioration, and this can jeopardize the safety and soundness of the chimney. If this damage is not repaired in a timely manner, it can cause your chimney to be unsafe.
How can All American Chimney Service help me prevent cold weather chimney damage?
The best way to avoid this type of chimney masonry damage is to have your chimney professionally waterproofed. This essential chimney maintenance service creates a barrier against water penetration of your bricks and mortar joints, which lowers the risk of freeze/thaw deterioration occurring during the winter. We use a waterproofing formula that is manufactured specifically for chimneys and is 100 percent vapor permeable. Your chimney will be protected for at least a decade after we have waterproofed it. We also offer other water penetration preventive services, including professional chimney cap installation and customized flashing system construction and installation.
Make sure your masonry chimney is protected from cold weather damage. Contact us atAll American Chimney Servicetoday to schedule your appointment for a professional chimney waterproofing treatment.