Repoint this chimney or larger issues?
#1
03-13-23, 10:48 AM
Repoint this chimney or larger issues?
I was going to install a cap on this chimney. Is the staining at the top a serious concern or just some mineral leaching out of the mortar?
more concerning is the area down by the roofline. Looks like there is some flashing installed between the bricks and some of the bricks are coming loose. This chimney is only 8 yrs old.
more concerning is the area down by the roofline. Looks like there is some flashing installed between the bricks and some of the bricks are coming loose. This chimney is only 8 yrs old.
#3
03-13-23, 10:54 AM
Group Moderator
Was there supposed to be a picture?
Staining usually isn't structural. Often it comes from a steel chimney cap rusting or mold & mildew with age.
If you have loose bricks that is a problem and could need more than just repointing. There should be flashing tucked into the mortar joints near the roof so that part is normal if the mortar & flashing is in good condition.
Staining usually isn't structural. Often it comes from a steel chimney cap rusting or mold & mildew with age.
If you have loose bricks that is a problem and could need more than just repointing. There should be flashing tucked into the mortar joints near the roof so that part is normal if the mortar & flashing is in good condition.
#4
03-13-23, 10:57 AM
Member
The white is effervescence, as water evaporates through the brick/mortar salts are deposited on the surface so it's an appearance item.
I cant speak to that step flashing, I don't recall ever seeing anything like that before, was it newly installed or original?
Skier picture looks ok, LOL!
I cant speak to that step flashing, I don't recall ever seeing anything like that before, was it newly installed or original?
Skier picture looks ok, LOL!
#5
03-13-23, 10:58 AM
Pilot,
the pictures are now up. For some reason I have issues posting pictures along with text in the same post.
Not sure how the picture of my kid skiing got mixed in there. Sorry about that one.
the pictures are now up. For some reason I have issues posting pictures along with text in the same post.
Not sure how the picture of my kid skiing got mixed in there. Sorry about that one.
#7
03-13-23, 12:00 PM
Group Moderator
There must be some history to your chimney. Why was step flashing installed on the outer side where it wasn't needed? Was there originally house/roof on that side as well.
Loose bricks will need to be removed. The mortar chipped off and their spot in the chimney cleaned. Then they can be re-mortared in place. A step up from repointing since you'll essentially be replacing bricks.
Loose bricks will need to be removed. The mortar chipped off and their spot in the chimney cleaned. Then they can be re-mortared in place. A step up from repointing since you'll essentially be replacing bricks.
#9
03-13-23, 01:05 PM
Not sure how the picture of my kid skiing got mixed in there. Sorry about that one.
Good form in the gate. Is that Mt Mansfield on her shirt? Does she compete for a school?. I used to ski VT. My kids and grand kids ski New Hampshire and Colorado.
I have a similar problem with my chimney. I discovered it early in the winter when a wind storm blew off a couple of ridge shingles. I had a mason look at it and he said some bricks will need to be replaced and others repointed. Not an exorbitant cost but not cheap either.
Good form in the gate. Is that Mt Mansfield on her shirt? Does she compete for a school?. I used to ski VT. My kids and grand kids ski New Hampshire and Colorado.
I have a similar problem with my chimney. I discovered it early in the winter when a wind storm blew off a couple of ridge shingles. I had a mason look at it and he said some bricks will need to be replaced and others repointed. Not an exorbitant cost but not cheap either.
#10
03-13-23, 02:14 PM
More pics
Do these brick appear loose? There is definitely a gap where the step flashing is which makes me think something must have moved, but could it be that mortar came out on the right side of the flashing? This is very high off the ground. I know this is a do it yourself forum, but the height is giving me pause this time. It would be difficult to even get a boom lift into place below the chimney so I’m looking at scaffolding for this.
#11
03-13-23, 02:29 PM
Group Moderator
I don't see loose bricks but that can be hard to spot from a photo. Usually it's best to give the brick a light tap. The sound will tell if it's loose and if it's loose you'll feel it move.
The flashing on the outside faces of the chimney could be removed since it serves no purpose. The flashing slots cut in the mortar could then be pointed/mortared over.
The flashing on the outside faces of the chimney could be removed since it serves no purpose. The flashing slots cut in the mortar could then be pointed/mortared over.
