Minnesota has some of the most beautiful older homes in this part of the country. But over time, the brick and masonry work in those older chimneys can start to deteriorate. What starts off as a minor problem can become significant if left unattended, and eventually those older chimneys can even collapse. That’s why it’s important to attend to them as soon as a problem comes to your attention.

 

If your older home needs some attention, our chimney and masonry experts at The Construction Group in Maplewood can get your chimney back in top shape. We’ve put together this guide to some of the most common chimney repair and replacement questions from homeowners.

 

How Your Chimney Works

A chimney uses basic principles of science to remove gas from your home that’s generated when you light a fire in your fireplace or oven. Cold air is denser than hot air, so through the process of convection, hot air rises.

 

Your chimney’s job is to remove hot gas from your home. It uses the principle of the draft to keep exhaust out of your home that’s produced from burning fuel. If your chimney isn’t functioning properly, it can be a fire and safety hazard, which is why you should never use your hearth if you suspect a problem with your chimney.

 

Assessing Your Chimney

It’s important to assess your chimney’s condition every year before you light up the first fire. Begin with a visual inspection of your chimney from the outside of your home. If your chimney has any bricks that are chipped, holes, cracks, or problems with the masonry joints, it needs to be repaired. You’ll also want to assess whether your chimney is leaning. If you can access your chimney from inside your home via the attic, take a look to see if there are any visible problems.

 

You should also look for the following:

●        Stains

●        Moisture

●        Evidence of animals

 

Get in Touch with our Maplewood Chimney and Masonry Repair Contractors

If your home’s chimney is in need of repair, it’s important to get it back on track fast. Using a fireplace with a damaged chimney can create a very real and present threat to your family’s safety and even their lives.

 

Fortunately, our masonry experts can help you get your chimney looking and working exactly as it’s meant to. Visit our project gallery to see some of our past chimney repairs. To get your free estimate on a chimney or masonry project, talk to a member of our team. Call us at 651-731-5857 or contact us to learn more.