Loose chimney brick and open joints repaired in Winter Park

Signs that point past routine masonry repair

Brick Industry Association Technical Note 46 lists conditions that are structural rather than routine maintenance, and says they generally warrant investigation by a professional engineer.

When we see any of them, we tell you before quoting a repair, because patching a crack that is caused by movement tends to crack again.

• Cracks wider than about 0.075 inch, or 2 mm
• Cracks that pass through several bricks
• Cracks that follow a stepped or diagonal pattern
• Widespread spalled brick
• Masonry that has moved out of plane

White deposits and what they mean

White deposits on brick are left when moisture carrying dissolved material evaporates at the surface. Technical Note 46 says the water getting into the masonry should be investigated and fixed before the deposits are cleaned, or they will return.

Light deposits are generally water soluble and can often be removed by weathering, dry brushing or scrubbing with a stiff fiber brush and water. We treat them as a clue to where water is moving, not only as a stain.

What a masonry estimate should list

Our written masonry estimates list the parts of the job that decide price and result, so you can compare them fairly with any other proposal.

• The repair area, marked from sound to sound masonry
• The mortar type and how it matches the existing joints
• Replacement brick, if any, and the expected match
• Removal of old patches, sealant and loose material
• Access, roof protection and cleanup
• Separate lines for crown, flashing or other work

Masonry matters even if you never light a fire

A chimney stands above the roof in the weather whether or not the fireplace below is used. Loose brick can still fall, and open joints still let water into the wall and the house.

Owners of unused fireplaces sometimes skip chimney checks for years. A look at the masonry every so often, and a repair when something opens up, keeps a small problem from becoming a rebuild. An inspection of an unused chimney is quick and free, and it tells you whether anything needs attention or whether the masonry can simply be watched.