Info Articles
Chimney Repair: Identify Some of the Most Common Causes of Cracks
Posted by Tim Wong on Aug 3, 2016
Chimneys are built to last for long, but there is a lot that can go wrong during their lifetime, particularly if maintenance is neglected. You may not even have thought about the chimney in your home or commercial property since its installation, making it appropriate to consider hiring Vancouver, BC chimney repair and maintenance services, such as Consumers Choice Roofing and Drainage.
Cracks on the inside and outside walls are some of the defects that develop over a long time of use or, in some circumstances, due to poor maintenance. After exposure to the elements, the mortar joints in the middle of stone and brick construction may begin to flake and leave cracks behind, thereby compromising the integrity of the chimney. So, what causes these cracks?
Poor Construction
Improper construction is one way for cracks to form in domestic or commercial chimneys. A flue system should be on a solid foundation because if the footing is defective, it will instigate movements such as bends, leans and curls that eventually end up in mortar joint cracks.
During construction, there should be sufficient space between the sides of the chimney and the flue line to facilitate expansion. Failure to leave this gap means that the two parts will press against each other during thermal expansion, leading to cracks. A chimney Vancouver company can redo a chimney that is badly constructed to reduce its susceptibility to cracking.
Mechanical Stres
A chimney may develop cracks due to certain mechanical aspects, one of which being a chimney mounted antenna. Such a component will exert undue pressure on the chimney, causing mortar flake. Mechanical stress can also be from earthquakes or blasting if a property is near a blasting site, which is why the location of your home matters considerably in this respect. If your home or commercial property is in an area that experiences frequent earth disturbances from the surroundings, then the risks are higher, making regular Vancouver chimney servicing from experts paramount.
Weather Elements
Water is a common culprit when considering why your chimney has cracks all over. If a flue is left open during the rainy season, water will make its way down where it will freeze when the temperatures fall, consequently causing the mortar in the bricks to crack. The wind is another element that may put a lot of tension force on the chimney such that after a prolonged period, the construction starts feeling by loosening the mortar between bricks. Whether you’re dealing with simple hairline cracks, long vertical openings or collapsing bricks, a company in Vancouver that performs chimney repairs has got you covered.
Source:
How to Repair Chimney Cracks. How StuffWorks.
Cracks in a New Chimney. Ask the Builder.
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