As a homeowner, you will come across a number of chimney problems. You need to fix the problems for you to restore sanity in your home. To help you out, here are some of the most common chimney problems and how to fix them as given by chimney repair professionals:

Mortar issues

The most common mortar problems are missing or damaged mortar. This problem often comes about due to old age. When the mortar is damaged, the cracks allow water to get into the chimney. The water then expands during the thaw and freeze cycles, and as a result, the bricks get loose. In some cases, they collapse completely.

When you notice the mortar coming off, you should contact a repair professional as soon as possible to fix it.

Missing bricks

Your chimney will miss bricks if you don’t take good care of it. When you are having missing bricks in your chimney, your fireplace is not only ugly to look at, water also tends to get into the mortar, masonry, or adjoining bricks.

Just like when you are having mortar problems, more bricks might get damaged which further compromises the structural integrity of your unit.

You shouldn’t allow your chimney to be damaged to the extent that the bricks are missing. When you notice a loose brick, you should contact a masonry contractor as soon as possible to fix the issue.

Spalling

Spalling comes about when water gets into the stone or brick and forces the masonry out. The best way of spotting spalling is to take a look at the flakes and pieces of masonry that have fallen. You should fix the issue as soon as possible to prevent the entire structure from crumbling down.

Firebox problems

The firebox has a great impact on the efficiency of the fireplace. The most common problem with the firebox is rusting, which indicates that water is getting in. If the firebox is rusting or damp, you should find out where the moisture is coming from and fix the problem.

If you don’t have the time or aren’t sure of how to go about it, you should hire a chimney contractor to help you out.

Conclusion

These are some of the most common chimney problems and how to fix them. For you to have peace of mind that the work is expertly done, let a chimney company do the work.