It may be time to give your chimney a touch-up.
Take solace in knowing that Fireside has you covered for all of your chimney needs including repairs and rebuilding. Watch for warning signs that it may be time for your chimney to have repairs related to aging, damage or weathering.
Chimney Relining
Your chimney liner plays a major role in the safety of your chimney. It protects the house from heat transfer, which helps prevent house fires and carbon monoxide from entering the home. It also protects the masonry of your chimney from damage and ensures that you are heating your home efficiently. Because your lining is such an integral part of your heating system, we take extra care to address it during inspections and cleanings.
Is your chimney cracked or crumbling? If that answer is yes, then it may be time to reline. And when the time comes, you can count on us to professionally reline your chimney with high quality lining, expert rebuilding, and repointing services. We are certified and licensed to take on the task of repairing and replacing your chimney lining, and we stand behind our craftsmanship.
Masonry Repair
While we love the look and feel that a masonry chimney gives to a home, this classic style chimney also require repairs over time. From cracks in the crown and mortar to crumbling bricks, our skilled team can quickly have your chimney looking brand new, safe and structurally sound.
Our masonry services include:
- Brick Replacements
- Crown Repair or Replacements
- Tuckpointing
- Flashing Repair or Replacements
- Firebox Repairs
- Cleanings
- Waterproofing
- Cap Repair and Replacements
- Damper Replacements
- Screen Repairs
Chimney Waterproofing
Maryland receives a significant amount of rainfall each year. That rain will, over time, enter the porous parts of your chimney’s masonry works and can cause damage to the interior and exterior chimney. It is important in an area that receives so much rainfall to consider protecting your chimney with waterproofing.
Signs you may need to waterproof your chimney:
- Brick Damage- flaking or crumbling of whole bricks or stones
- Rust
- Water Stains both light and dark
- Mortar Damage
The only way to prevent water damage to your chimney and protect it is to waterproof it. Waterproofing requires our team to either spray or brush on material to your chimney, which prevents water from penetrating the masonry of your bricks or stone.
If you are noticing signs of water damage or want to waterproof as a preventative measure to extend the life of your chimney, you can count on Fireside to expertly seal your chimney and give you peace of mind when it rains.
Repointing Services
While professionally done mortar joints can last for 25 years or more, weather and other factors can often play a role in when repointing will be needed. Repointing is the process of replacing the external pieces of the mortar and joints between the bricks of a chimney. Most often, repointing is a result of weather damage or old age.
Repointing a chimney requires expert masonry skills and we employ only the most experienced master masons in the Maryland area. Repointing is challenging and you must be able to adapt to each repointing project and meet the immediate needs that the bricks and mortar require. Our professionals will remove mortar and joints, correct mortar, repair damage, and use a waterproof seal to protect your chimney’s future.
Smoke Chamber Repair
The smoke chamber is one of the most neglected parts of your chimney and often goes unnoticed by homeowners who simply don’t know that they are there. The smoke chamber is one of the hardest areas of a chimney to get to and it is also the hottest area of the chimney and where most chimney fires begin.
Our service professionals know how to access the smoke chamber and what to look for in cleaning and repair to keep your chimney and your home safe. Only a professional will be able to tell if your smoke chamber is in need of cleaning, repair, or replacement. If you are concerned about your smoke chamber, consider a chimney inspection for your home in the spring or fall. Evaluating your smoke chamber is a key part of our inspection process.
Chimney Caps
Chimney caps, otherwise known as rain caps or rain covers, are the most inexpensive chimney preventative you can invest in. We highly recommend that all chimney be fitted with a chimney cap to prevent water from penetrating and damaging the chimney. In addition to protecting your chimney from water, a chimney cap will also prevent birds and small animals from entering or nesting in your chimney and can prevent sparks from exiting the top of your chimney and causing damage to nearby trees and your roof.
Fireside can install, repair, or replace your chimney’s cap as part of our routine maintenance or if we notice damage during an inspection. Having a functional chimney cap will make your home safe and will give you the peace of mind you deserve.