Causes of Spalling Bricks

Chimneys may seem impervious to damage, yet bits of brick debris are often seen around chimney stacks. Homeowners find themselves searching online for “causes of spalling bricks” after learning what decaying brick is called. Moisture is always a first consideration when chimney problems arise, but there are many different causes of spalling bricks.

If you live in the Richmond VA area, you are fortunate to have Chimney Saver Solutions as a high-quality option in chimney sweep companies. With their unbeatable level of training, our CSIA-certified chimney experts can resolve any type of chimney maintenance or repair needed. More quickly than most, they can also determine what has caused the specific problem with your chimney. Below, learn more about what causes bricks to crumble, chip, and decay.

Moisture and Bricks Don’t Mix

Because of the porous nature of bricks, most chimney components above the roofline contribute to the prevention of moisture intrusion. This includes the chimney crown, chimney flashing, mortar, and more. Unfortunately, every part of the chimney is prone to deteriorate, letting water in. With regular chimney maintenance and annual inspections, the destruction water causes—such as spalling bricks—can be minimized.

The freezing and thawing cycles of winter do the most damage to bricks that contain water. What happens is that the water expands and contracts. The resulting movement breaks down the bricks. If they aren’t replaced sooner rather than later, they eventually flatten, resulting in a leaning chimney.

The brick face will also flake and break off when moisture is inside of bricks that contain salt. The saltwater travels through to the brick face, leaving a crystalline, white staining on the bricks’ surfaces. This is called “efflorescence,” and it is one of the causes of spalling bricks.

Warning: Don’t Use a Non-Breathable Sealant

Using sealants to help with the battle against moisture in chimneys is a good thing–unless the wrong sealant is used! Brick masonry must be allowed to breathe so that water vapor can be released. Applying just any sealant won’t do. Non-breathable sealants will do more harm than good because they will cause moisture to be trapped inside the masonry.

Trust certified chimney sweeps to take the steps involved in applying the correct breathable waterproof seal. First, they will verify whether the chimney has:

No moisture damage, or
Water intrusion.

If the chimney is free of moisture damage, water repellent can be applied to help keep water out of the masonry. If, however, water intrusion has already occurred, a partial or complete chimney rebuild is necessary. After the moisture problem is fixed, a chimney masonry sealant can be applied.

Beware of Damage from High-Pressure Washing

Sometimes, homeowners regret taking advantage of a good deal on pressure-washing of their home exterior. If an expert job isn’t done, bricks can become damaged. Faulty high-pressure washing leaves chimneys vulnerable to extensive water intrusion that leads to spalling.

Contact Chimney Experts for the Right Fix for Spalling Bricks

Schedule annual chimney inspections with the chimney professionals at Chimney Saver Solutions. They are most qualified to identify early signs of chimney damage and which of the causes of spalling bricks has caused chimney masonry to chip, deteriorate, and decay. We are also bona fide experts at fireplace installations, chimney crown repair, tuckpointing, masonry rebuilds, flashing repair, flue liner replacement, chimney cleaning, and more.