Jovag Home Inspection, LLC ​License #1820
  • Home
  • Services
  • Blog and DIY
  • Contact
  • Home
  • Services
  • Blog and DIY
  • Contact

Chimney Cap Damage

3/9/2018

 
Mortar chimney cap
Chimney Cap - black arrow. This is a protective covering made out of mortar that protects the top of the chimney.
Brick and mortar chimneys are a common site on rooftops of a certain age in Washington State. A common point of deferred maintenance and long term damage is at the chimney cap. This is the mortar cap at the top of the chimney that protects the top of the chimney and bricks below. 
Cracked mortar chimney cap.
Mortar chimney cap cracked and flaking from long term water exposure. Water has been getting through those cracks for a long time. Water exposure, ice, snow and moss growth are all contributing to these cracks growing over time.
Water tends to pool and collect on the top of the chimney cap. This can lead to moss growth and erosion of the mortar which over the long term leads to cracks and cap failure. Eventually the cap will split and be in danger of falling off the chimney on to the roof or to the ground below. ​

If a chimney cap is at the point of damage like in these pictures, it needs to be repaired or replaced. Preventative maintenance is the regular cleaning of moss and the installation of a rain cap over the flue that extends over the edges of the chimney. 
Loose mortar chimney cap
Loose mortar chimney cap. Long term result of water exposure. This part of the cap is loose and wiggling up and down (arrows). There is a possibility of it falling to the roof or to the ground below.

Chimney Damage - Failing Mortar

11/10/2017

0 Comments

 
Chimney bricks with failing mortar
Chimney with signs of water damage - moss growth and failing mortar between the bricks.
Brick and mortar chimneys exposed to water over time will deteriorate. Though bricks are more or less indestructible the mortar holding them together is prone to damage and eventual failure. Once the mortar between the bricks cracks and begins to fall out the bricks and structural integrity of the chimney are sure to follow. 

These pictures show some typical long term water damage to the mortar between bricks on a above roof chimney. Someone noticed this problem before and attempted to fix the failing mortar with silicone caulking. This is not the correct repair technique - caulking is not going to do anything to stabilize the brick.

This chimney needs repair - the bricks need to be "re-pointed". Re-pointing is the process of removing the old mortar joints and replacing with fresh mortar. This is within the realm of ability of most homeowners but it is a tedious job and depending on location could pose some safety concerns. If this project doesn't appeal to you or you are not comfortable being on your roof, look for a masonry repair specialist to do the job.

The following is a link to a nice overview of repointing-brick on the This Old House website. 
Chimney bricks with failing mortar
This mortar is easy to pull away from between the bricks. This needs to be fixed.
Chimney bricks with failing mortar
Not the right way to try to fix this problem. Someone used silicone caulk to try to repair the mortar between the bricks. This isn't really doing anything to fix the problem.
0 Comments

What the heck is efflorescence?

8/4/2017

0 Comments

 
Efflorescence deposits on a brick chimney
Efflorescence on a brick chimney. These are white salt deposits that indicate water movement through the brick..
Have you ever noticed a white chalk like deposit on a brick wall or chimney? This is efflorescence - a salt deposit on the surface of masonry associated with water moving through the wall. This is usually just a cosmetic problem and can be cleaned off by light scraping. However, efflorescence can serve as a clue to an underlying moisture or water penetration problem in the surrounding structure.

The efflorescence deposits in this picture are on a chimney side just under the penetration through the roof. It is very likely that the flashing and water sealing of the chimney/roof joint are failing. This homeowner needs to take a closer look at the roof structure and shingles to see if there is further hidden damage that needs repair.
Efflorescence deposits on a brick chimney
Chalky white deposits on a brick surface indicate water movement. That water has to come from somewhere. It might be coming from the gap between the roof and the chimney due to failed flashing.
0 Comments

Why did that brick fall off the roof?

2/17/2017

0 Comments

 
Damaged Chimney
Weather and water damage to an abandoned and non functional chimney.
A recurring theme - water causes problems if it gets to places it is not supposed to be in.

This chimney is a bit weathered and has no protection from the rain. Exposure to water over the years has deteriorated the mortar between the bricks. It's now at the point where the bricks are loose and have the potential to tumble off the roof. Not good if you happen to be standing in the back yard.

This is a non working and abandoned chimney, when the roof is replaced it would be a good idea to remove the chimney to below the sheathing and roof over the opening.

In the meantime, the chimney needs a rain guard / rain cap to be installed once the loose bricks are removed and a stable base is established. This will reduce the chances of water intrusion and help preserve the remaining mortar. No more bricks falling off the roof.
​

Chimney with new rain cap
Rain cap installed.
0 Comments

    Author

    Brian Jovag, owner of Jovag Home Inspection.

    Archives

    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017

    Categories

    All
    Attic
    Brick
    Chimney
    Construction
    Corrosion
    Crawl Space
    Deck
    DIY
    Electrical
    Furnace
    Gutters
    Heating
    How To
    Information
    Insulation
    Jovag Home Inspection
    Maintenance
    Moss
    Needs To Be Fixed
    Plumbing
    Roof
    Rust
    Safety
    Smoke Alarms
    Tools
    Video
    Wall
    Water Damage
    Water Heater
    What Could Go Wrong?
    Yard

    RSS Feed

    Helpful Info

    Infographics
    CPSC Water Heater Temperature
    File Size: 49 kb
    File Type: pdf
    Download File

    CPSC Garage Door Safety
    File Size: 129 kb
    File Type: pdf
    Download File

    CPSC GFCI Info and Facts
    File Size: 263 kb
    File Type: pdf
    Download File

    FEMA Smoke Alarm Recommendations
    File Size: 1942 kb
    File Type: pdf
    Download File

Site powered by Weebly. Managed by MacHighway