Chimney health is important, which means, if your home has a chimney, you’ll want to prepare for all types of weather. Whether it’s rain, sleet, snow, or ice, excess water is never good for your brickwork and can call for expensive chimney repairs down the line.

Winter & Your Masonry 01 Image - Crofton MD - Clean Sweep AAWhen it comes to bad weather, winter can often bring the worst of it. During these cold months, your masonry faces a lot of wear and tear. Not only is it being used more for heating purposes, but the nasty winds, low temperatures, and snow/ice storms really take their toll on the mortar and brick!

Taking preventative measures ahead of time can make a big difference when it comes to the longevity of your chimney. Learn more about the potential issues you may face by reading below.

The Freeze/Thaw Effect

One of the biggest issues chimneys face in the winter is the free/thaw effect. This is a process that causes great damage, wears down brick and mortar, and could lead to a settlement or a collapse. Thankfully, applying the right waterproofing techniques ahead of time can save you the stress of dealing with any of these issues.

So, what exactly is the free/thaw effect? Well, the problem starts when your brickwork sucks in a lot of moisture. Bricks are a lot more absorbent than people realize. Water easily works its way in, then stays, causing deterioration, decay, rot, rust, and more!

Once your brickwork has absorbed all this moisture, it has nowhere else to go. This means that, when temperatures drop, the water freezes and expands, causing the brickwork to expand, too. When temperatures rise again, the water melts and the chimney settles, creating a lot of extra, unwanted pressure.

Stopping The Problem

The key in preventing water damage is to stop it before the problems begin. Being exposed to the elements 24/7, your chimney will start showing signs of deterioration if not properly addressed. Keep your chimney standing strong and looking great by investing in water prevention solutions today!

There are multiple ways to keep water away from your chimney. One important step is having your chimney inspected on a regular basis to ensure your chimney is water tight. If you do not have a chimney cap, having a properly sized stainless steel chimney cap installed as soon as possible to avoid any potential issues.

You can also hire a CSIA certified sweep to waterproof your chimney with the proper sealant. This is a smart step to take to keep your brick protected all year long. Avoid costly and time-consuming repairs down the road by investing in waterproofing today.

You may also want to get your flashing inspected, as well as your crown and your chimney exterior mortar joints. All of these things work to prevent water damage, and ensuring that they are in the best condition possible will benefit you a lot in the long run.

For more information about keeping your chimney healthy from water damage contact Clean Sweep of Anne Arundel County today! We can help you out with any and all of your water prevention needs.