“Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these bricks from breaking down,” reads the inscription on the massive James A. Farley Post Office Building in New York City. (Okay, we’re messing with you. The famous inscription really says, “Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds.”) But our point is valid: snow and ice do a number on the bricks and mortar of your chimney. Northeastern Masonry & Chimney can help you detect the effects of wintry weather — and help you correct budding problems.
What exactly do snow and ice do to my chimney?
It’s not just snow or ice (or rain) that wreak havoc. It’s temperature changes. Freeze-thaw cycles put stress on chimneys, leading to deterioration and potential risks. But moisture intrusion is the major culprit. Naturally, snow or ice eventually melt — and become water or moisture. Moisture in your chimney can damage the brickwork itself or other components, such as the chimney crown, flashing or liner. Brick materials readily absorb water. And gaps, cracks or crumbling in mortar joints can add to the problem by allowing water to spread to other parts of your chimney. Not to mention, water intrusion can cause steel or cast-iron chimney components to rust or corrode, too.
Northeastern Masonry & Chimney knows full well how snow and ice can damage your chimney. We’ve seen it dozens and dozens of times.
What is the first thing that should be done?
A professional chimney inspection is the first step. We have to find out what’s going on — if anything. Problems caused by snow and ice or freeze-thaw cycles may be hidden as observed by the layperson. Schedule an appointment today with Northeastern Masonry & Chimney for a professional assessment.
How can I protect my chimney from the onslaughts of snow and ice?
Many homeowners have a chimney cap installed. It serves as a snow-rain-ice cover. This preventive measure can be relatively inexpensive, depending on design options. We’ve got lots of options available with all sorts of added benefits, not just protection from water intrusion.
Other preventive maintenance measures might include repairing or replacing a damaged chimney crown, repairing deteriorated mortar joints, repairing or replacing flashing or waterproofing your chimney.
Call Northeastern Masonry & Chimney today at 518-767-9315 to discuss your best options! We’ve been at this since 1993 and have built up a loyal clientele as a result of good, honest service. Our certified, highly trained pros have seen every kind of chimney problem. We know what to look for and how to fix it. As people often say, you can talk about the weather (in this case, snow and ice), but you can’t control the weather. But we can control the effects of weather. And chimneys love us for that.