How The Freeze/Thaw Cycle Affects Your Chimney

Having a chimney in your home comes with the added benefit of a cozy extra source of heat. However, the colder and wetter winter you experience, the more risk there is for issues related to your chimney. One of the biggest risks come from frost/thaw cycles during and after a storm. Let’s take a closer look at this process. 

What is a Freeze/Thaw Cycle?

Imagine you’re getting a lot of rain on a warmer than average day in January. It’s 40 degrees and raining all day, but the next day is predicted to be 15 degrees and windy. All of that rain likely found its way into any hairline fracture that it could find — cracks the naked eye may not even notice. Then, as the temperatures plummet, all of that moisture freezes and expands, filling in those cracks. While fine initially, once that ice defrosts, the mortar and bricks contract, potentially leading to larger cracks than you had before. As this process repeats throughout the winter cracks can become bigger and bigger, creating more of an issue as time goes on. 

Potential Issues From Freeze/Thaw Cycle

Issues that can arise from this vary in severity and if you catch it early or late. If you, or your chimney sweep professionals, catch it early, then it’s possible to spot and fix the cracks. There are watertight sealants that can fill in the holes and fix it for the foreseeable future. 

On the other end of the spectrum, if the cracks are neglected and severe, it can lead to larger issues. The most severe issue that can arise from this situation is structural. As cracks expand, structural stability is compromised. If your chimney professional deems the structure severely impacted, you may need to rebuild certain sections, or even the whole chimney. 

How do I know to reach out?

If you are experiencing leaks inside your home or around your chimney, that may be a sign that damage is present and you should call a professional to get some eyes on it. Alternatively, you may be able to look at the interior and exterior of your chimney and see cracks small or large. If that’s the case, you should also call your local chimney professionals. Luckily, regardless of severity, there will be a solution that can be drawn up to accommodate your needs and budget. Don’t hesitate to reach out at any early signs of damage to avoid larger repair time and costs in the future.

Chimney Repairs in Hudson Valley, NY

If you know that your chimney is experiencing damage to its structure or brick and mortar, it may be time to contact us at Hudson Valley Chimney. Our expert, well experienced team can assist with any repairs, as well as annual maintenance that may come up over the years. We can also answer any general chimney and fireplace questions you may have. Call Hudson Valley Chimney today to schedule an appointment with a certified chimney sweep.