Assessing & Repairing Your Chimney After a Summer Storm
The Columbus, OH, region has its share of violent summer storms, and chimneys often take the brunt of them. The Chimney Guys of Pataskala, OH, would like to share some helpful tips on how storms damage chimneys and what you can do about it.
Parts of a chimney
The exterior surfaces and components of a masonry chimney are vulnerable to high winds, hail, lightning and pounding rainstorms.
Chimney cap
This protective device covers the top of the chimney and guards the flue from incoming rain, tree debris and small animals.
When a full-width chimney cap or flue cover becomes warped or unseated or gets blown off, you can end up with water damage in various parts of the chimney, including the chimney liner, interior masonry, fireplace damper and firebox. Materials of the home can also eventually be affected.
Chimney crown
A storm-damaged chimney crown can crack or break apart, leaving interior spaces of the chimney open to rain. An affected crown can also lead to water damage in the bricks below the crown.
Remember that chimney water damage is progressive – it starts small and often spreads to cause problems throughout the chimney system.
Chimney flashing
Flashing is the material that covers the space between the roof and the chimney. Lightning, powerful winds and other summer storm activity can easily damage the flashing.
If flashing pieces are missing, warped or dislodged, water can run down into the home. The result can be damage to the roof, attic, ceilings, walls and unseen sections of the chimney below the roof.
Chimney masonry
Summer storms often wreak havoc on a chimney’s bricks and mortar. Cracked and spalling bricks are common, and so is crumbling mortar that holds the bricks together.
Water getting into the masonry will start a cycle of deterioration and eventually can cause water leaks in various parts of the chimney system. This leakage could damage the chimney liner, the firebox and other components and also weaken the chimney structure. The result can be a leaning or collapsed chimney.
Chimney storm damage repair
If you know or suspect that a storm has damaged your chimney, your first step should be to schedule an inspection with a qualified chimney company or chimney inspector.
Your inspector will look over your entire chimney and fireplace system to determine:
- Where the damage is centered
- The extent of the damage
- If other parts of the system have been affected
- What needs to be done to resolve the problem
Many chimney inspectors are qualified to make repairs. If yours isn’t, call a local chimney service crew to get the work done.
Post-storm chimney repair can involve:
- Brick replacement and mortar tuckpointing
- Chimney cap repair or replacement
- Chimney crown repair or rebuilding
- Chimney flashing replacement
- Repair work to the chimney liner, masonry below the roof, fireplace damper, firebox and other areas and components.
Get your chimney back into top shape
If a summer storm has harmed your chimney, The Chimney Guys is ready to restore it to its original strength and beauty. Speak with an Ohio chimney expert by phone in the Pataskala, OH, area, or reach out with our handy contact form.
