Chimney Repairs

chimney repairsChimneys are exposed to the cold weather outside and hot fumes inside. These extreme temperature differences can cause chimney masonry, chimney clay flues and chimney brick to crack and the chimney quickly deteriorates. We can carry out chimney repairs on most chimneys. We have scaffold license and insurance.

Types of Chimney Repairs

Repointing is removing deteriorated or distressed mortar from joints between masonry units and installing new mortar into the joints. Repointing is necessary on most exterior chimney masonary work at some point in a chimneys life. Repointing a chimney can improve the weather resistance by reducing the amount of water that penetrates the chimney masonry, thus increasing its longevity as well as other components of the structure, which can deteriorate due to water infiltration through the masonry. Correct repointing can last 25 to 30 years, however, improper repointing will do little to extend the life of the chimney and may lead to irreversible damage.

The chimney crown is the top base of a chimney. The mortar mix which makes up the crown is not designed for and will not withstand years of weather abuse without deteriorating the chimney. When cracking or chipping is present, the chimney crown should be removed and a new crown should be properly constructed and cast so that it provides an overhang projecting beyond all sides of the chimney.

A Chimney cap covers the chimney. A chimney is essentially a hole in your roof and if it is not properly covered, a whole host of problems could occur including birds nesting. Exposing your chimney to the elements can lead to extensive and costly damages.  Water that seeps into existing cracks can expand and cause further damage. Without a chimney cap, rain and soot mix to form sulfuric acid, which is particularly damaging to your chimney and not something you want your family exposed to. Without a chimney cap, rodents and insects may crawl or fly into the chimney as it’s a warm and protected space that animals find appealing in cold weather. An open chimney without a flue cap or fireplace chimney cap is a fire hazard. Embers and sparks can fly from the top and land on your roof, dry leaves in your rain gutters, or surrounding foliage and quickly cause a blazing and lethal fire.
A-Line Chimney Repairs are based in Mayo and provide chimney services across Connaught (Galway, Leitrim, Mayo, Roscommon and Sligo) as well as all other counties in Ireland.