Why Now Is The Best Time For Chimney Repairs

Right now, we’re entering what often feels like the busy season. That is, with warmer weather, many homeowners start working on their home’s annual maintenance. So, as you’re putting together your summertime to-do list, there is one important item you should not overlook. We’re referring to fixing any problems with your chimney. After all, now is the best time for masonry repairs. Let’s unpack the reasons why this is the case with four common questions you probably have running through your mind.

How often do chimney’s need maintenance?

Your chimney should have an annual sweep and inspection. Your Hudson Valley Chimney technician will clean out the creosote buildup within your flue, ensure that you’re not missing any critical components, and inspect for seasonal damage.

That’s one of the reasons that now is the best time for masonry repairs: there are a lot of possibilities, and you want to be proactive in addressing them.

What types of repairs can a chimney technician perform?

This isn’t to say that your masonry will experience damage every year. Rather, this is the time to fix those problems should the need arise. Some possibilities are:

• Tuckpointing, which is the process of repairing damaged mortar;
• Repointing, where your technician will remove all of the mortar and replace it with new;
• Spalling repair, which simply means repairing bricks that are beginning to detach from the structure;
• Waterproofing, a coating that helps prevent some of these issues from arising in the first place;
• And replacing missing components.

What types of components can our team replace?

This is a question that you probably hadn’t had before, but do now after reading that last bullet point above. Replacing missing components is a vital spring and summer task, and can help prevent additional erosion to your masonry.

Internally, replacing a damaged damper is vital to controlling the flow of air in and out of your chimney. Externally, however, there are parts of your chimney that need to be replaced as soon as they begin to show signs of aging. Those are:

• Your cap, which keeps animals and rodents out of your flue;
• Your crown, a vital component to keeping water from damaging your brick and mortar;
• And your flashing, which is necessary to prevent leaks.

Why should a homeowner repair problems now instead of closer to fall?

To answer this question, we need to first talk about why damage happens in the first place: Water

In a nutshell, throughout the year your chimney is exposed to all types of moisture. Masonry materials are very porous, which is why so many of the components we listed focus on preventing water damage.

Now is the best time for masonry repairs because you want to fix whatever damage the colder months left in their wake. From snow, sleet, and hail, your chimney takes a beating during the winter.

You want to be proactive. Now is the best time to repair problems as you can get ahead of the crowd before everyone else decides it’s time to start using their fireplace.

Temperatures are most conducive now for chimney repairs. The warmer weather allows masonry materials to set and cure properly, providing you with a more effective repair than one performed in cold weather.

Contact us today for masonry repairs!

Is it time for your annual sweep and inspection, or have you noticed problems with your chimney’s masonry that need to be looked at?

Then call Hudson Valley Chimney at 845-471-1071 or request an appointment for our team to stop by your home.