In terms of the home maintenance, there is perhaps no other factor as crucial as that of preventing water damage on your property. You only realize the importance of a chimney when it’s seriously damaged or when a powerful storm hits your home; this must-have feature is often left out of routine inspections of your home. One of them is the chimney crown, which is the first barrier against water penetration for the structure in general. In this article, you will learn why chimney crown repair is crucial and how it can save you money on your home in London, Ontario.
- What is a Chimney Crown?
The chimney crown is the concrete or masonry on top of your chimney which is meant to keep the inside of the chimney from being penetrated by water in any form. It also makes water to flow on the outer surface of the chimney and not infiltrate the structure. That is, under extended usage, the cement mixture of the chimney crown establishes cracks, erodes, or deteriorates due to external elements, and water creeps into the chimney system and damages other segments.
Chimney crowns are most susceptible to wear and tear in areas that experience cold winter and varying temperature such as London, Ontario. As for ice and snow, one can easily penetrate into various cracks, and, when freezing, expand the deterioration even more. The happy news is that chimney crown repair will help to avoid such problems and let the house owner avoid receiving expensive repair services and water damage consequences.
- What It Costs to Repair or Replace a Damaged Chimney Crown?
When the chimney crown gets worn out, water will seep into the chimney frame causing a number of issues. The most common casualty is water seepage into the chimney and eventual destruction of the masonry or the brickwork. This slowly leads to weakness of the mortar, corrosion of liners in the chimney and failure of the bricks. In acute cases, the structure may become unstable and therefore affects the stability of your house structure.
Moisture also has an impact on the interior of your home: Moisture that flows through a chimney can cause mold, and such mold may infiltrate the walls or the ceilings of your home. Besides, water reduces the strength of the firebox and causes rusting, which may lead to development of fire hazards. That is why chimney repair in London, Ontario, is so important to prevent the major damage of the chimney and the house.
- Sure Signs You Will Need Chimney Crown Repair
It is therefore important to know when your chimney crown requires attention to spare your home. Common signs that you may need chimney crown repair include:
- Cracks or Chips in the Crown: Openings that suggest that water penetration might be possible into the chimney system may be manifested on the crown through visible cracks or chips. If this is the case, action should be most appropriate to be taken in order to avoid further deterioration.
- Water Stains Around the Chimney: One potential clue that water is penetrating your chimney’s crown is damp marks on the structure’s periphery or at the bottom of the chimney.
- Spalling or Flaking of Mortar: If the mortar or brickwork on your chimney has begun to crumble or flake away, this is most probably because a damaged chimney crown has led to water seepage.
- Rust or Corrosion on the Chimney Liner: If the crown is damaged then water will penetrate through the chimney which inturn leads to formation of rust or corrosion of the liner.
- How to Repair the Chimney Crown Part
Chimney crown repair is a careful work which should be carried out by a professional chimney technician. It generally requires appraisal of the seriousness of the cases, a clearance in the areas with major dirt or falling parts and cleaning of crowns. It will also remove loose material that may be used to fill in any splits and then apply mortar or concrete later to refresh the crown for protection. In many cases, the crown is severely damaged, and a complete replacement of the crown is required.
In freezing areas such as London, Ontario, the chimney undergoes further damage with the beginning of freezing temperatures, therefore the chimney crown should be conducive for sealing. Some of the working people may also use a gel coat to the crown after repair with a water sealant view of protecting it from moisture.
- Preventing Future Damage with Regular Maintenance
Contrary to other services, chimney repair in London Ontario, is not a one-time service. One thing that makes it very important for you to maintain your chimney and home is the fact that this will determine the health of these two vital structures in the future. It is during normal examinations and repairs that such inconspicuous defects as fine longitudinal or circumferential crazing in the crown or mortar may be observed, but if left unattended, they may greatly affect the structure of the dwelling. Besides, chimney cap can add extra protection to the crown and prevent the debris, rain or snow from damaging the crown and chimney and therefore the need to repair the crown will be negligible.
Conclusion
The repair of the chimney crown is an important part of the requirement of the structural framework of your home. For homeowners in London Ontario, repairing damage to the chimney crown as soon as possible is beneficial because high degrees of water damage indicate that other issues can be expected in the future, thereby threatening the safety and value of the home. It is highly recommended to seek the services of a chimney expert if you suspect any sign of chimney crown damage. By performing yearly chimney cleaning, your home will still be well guarded from the harsh forces of nature and it will stay safe, dry and functional more years to come.