Is Your Chimney Leaning?
Sometimes we see the same thing so often that we don’t notice it anymore. For example, is your chimney leaning? It should raise a red flag because immediate intervention is necessary! A leaning chimney is a potential threat to your home and could cause serious injury. The right fix is to trust qualified chimney sweeps to search out the root cause and make needed repairs.
The CSIA-certified chimney technicians at Chimney Saver Solutions have all the training and experience to be desired when there is a major issue, such as a leaning chimney. Read on to learn why chimney-leaning happens and why it is dangerous.
Warning: Leaning Chimneys Can Collapse
Chimneys can weigh up to 8,500 pounds or more, depending on their size. When a chimney begins to lean, the sheer weight pulling to one side sometimes causes it to collapse. This could result in a severely damaged roof, structural damage to your home, and possible injury. There are certain maintenance demands that are safe to ignore for a while. If your chimney is leaning, however, you can be sure that it is not a problem to put off for another time.
Why is My Chimney Leaning?
As you will see below, there are many potential reasons why a chimney begins tilting to one side. Whatever the reason, when this happens, a chimney sweep could become your new best friend. When the right fix happens at the right time for such a “heavy” undertaking, untold money can be saved.
Moisture-Damaged Masonry
Keeping moisture out of a chimney system ain’t easy, as old-timers in the know might say. Whether because of damage that has occurred to the chimney crown, chimney flashing, chimney cap, mortar, or masonry, the biggest chimney bugaboo is moisture intrusion.
Moisture is such a problem because of what occurs in winter. The water in masonry expands and contracts every time there is a freezing and thawing cycle. The movement breaks down bricks every time. When the bricks eventually flatten, the chimney begins to lean. As with other damage as shown below, a partial or full chimney rebuild becomes necessary.
A Chimney Footing Issue
Cement chimney footings are built under chimneys so that the weight of the masonry doesn’t cause the chimney to sink. If chimney footings are built with inadequate materials or aren’t the right size or thickness, the chimney will become unstable and sink or tilt.
Shifting Soil
Construction of a house should allow for such considerations as shifting soil. Things outside a homeowner’s control could even affect the soil underneath it. If the soil shifts beneath a home, the foundation could crack and destabilize the chimney.
Poor Chimney Construction
Another common cause of tilting chimneys is poor construction. For example, the mortar used between bricks is too often inadequate. Without proper materials, masonry structures can’t stand the test of time.
Contact the Chimney Pros if Your Chimney is Leaning
At Chimney Saver Solutions, we are dedicated to our profession. So, is yes the answer to the question, “Is your chimney leaning?” If you live anywhere in the Richmond VA area, give us a call. We have the experience and training needed to tackle a leaning chimney and any other issues that may arise. Many homeowners also trust us to address chimney leaks, flashing problems, dirty chimneys, and other things, such as chimney inspections. For a quick route to peace of mind about your chimney, call 804-440-5000 or fill out our online form.
