All About Leaning Chimneys
Is your chimney starting to resemble the Leaning Tower of Pisa? If the answer is yes, you do not want to ignore this structural issue! It’s possible that the eroded bricks and mortar joints could fall onto the ground and injure anyone close to it. Having said that, since your chimney is connected to the foundation of your home, it could also be a serious problem.
Fortunately, if you live in Upstate South Carolina, you have our experienced chimney masonry staff at Chim Cheree, The Chimney Specialists to diagnose the cause of your tilted chimney. We can solve the problem, no matter how big the repair job may be, to keep your home safe. In addition, we may even be able to simply readjust your leaning chimney to its original position – without having to do any demolition work! We would like to tell you more about the symptoms, causes, and repairs involved with leaning chimneys.
What are the signs of a leaning chimney?
Has a gap has opened between the house siding and the exterior chimney? If so, your chimney is showing signs of leaning. Do you have an interior chimney? You should check the attic to see if it is centered in the frame. If it is pressing against either side, your chimney is leaning. Damaged flashing and water leaks are also possible symptoms. However, according to Bob Vila, if your fireplace is not centered, it may have been built with the bricks on an offset course. This was more than likely done to let the chimney exit at the ridge of the roof to give a more symmetrical appearance. Just make sure the horizontal mortar joints are level, and it is in good shape!
What causes a chimney to start leaning?
A masonry chimney is extremely heavy. It also needs a strong, concrete footing to remain structurally stable. Many things can lead to the failure of a footing! These include shallow or undersized footing, missing or deteriorating footing, or even poor soil.
How can Chim Cheree, The Chimney Specialists repair my leaning chimney?
When our Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) certified chimney technicians arrive to your home, we begin by thoroughly inspecting the condition of your chimney. We want to find exactly what is causing the leaning problem. Depending on the severity of the leaning, we can do as much as possible to shift the chimney back into place. However, what happens if we find major foundation problems? We will consult with a foundation repair company. This is to be sure the issue is fixed and that your home is structurally safe and sound!
Have you have noticed a gap in between your house siding and your exterior chimney; or any other sign of a leaning chimney? If so, do not procrastinate in taking care of this potentially serious structural issue! Contact us at Chim Cheree, The Chimney Specialists to make an appointment with our experienced chimney technicians today.