Fireplace & Chimney Installations
The Fireplace Doctor will perform a full installation to fit whatever needs your home or dwelling?
The Fireplace Doctor aims to make sure that each customer gets maximum enjoyment and long service life from their chimneys and fireplaces, we only sell and install the best stoves, prefab fireplaces, and chimney and hearth accessories available.
Call The Fireplace Doctor for all of your Chimney & Fireplace Installation needs.
We install all of the following:
- Chase Covers
- Lock-Top & Lyemance Dampers
- R.H. Peterson Gas Logs
- Vermont Castings
- Metal-Fab Wood Stoves
- Stove Pipes
- Design Specialties Glass Fireplace Doors
- Prefab Fireplaces
- Chimney Fans
- Ash Dump Doors
- Fireplace Cleanout Doors
When It’s Time for Chimney Repair or Replacement: Chimney Installation
Your chimney is more than just a component of your home; it’s a crucial factor in safeguarding your family, property, and well-being. Functioning as a conduit for noxious gases, heat, and fumes to exit your home, its role is indispensable. That’s why maintaining your chimney’s integrity is of the utmost importance.
A compromised or deteriorating chimney not only jeopardizes your safety but also exposes your family to the risks of potential house fires and carbon monoxide poisoning. Regular chimney inspection and cleaning are essential steps to ensure proper functionality and to identify issues early. By addressing concerns proactively, you prevent small problems from escalating into extensive and costly repairs.
Despite their robust appearance, chimneys demand meticulous care and maintenance. Much like any well-utilized structure, your chimney deserves attention before and after each winter season. The cumulative effects of exposure to harsh elements and regular use can take a toll. Entrusting your chimney’s care to professionals is paramount for preserving both safety and efficiency, ensuring your chimney continues to provide reliable and secure operation for years to come.
Moreover, when considering chimney repair or replacement, proper installation is paramount. A poorly installed chimney can lead to a host of problems, from reduced efficiency to structural issues. That’s why it’s crucial to rely on experienced professionals who can not only address repair needs but also ensure that your chimney is installed correctly, meeting safety standards and ensuring long-term functionality.
Here are top signs that can tell you that your chimney needs urgent repairs.
White Staining
The white discoloration on your chimney might look cute, but it is not. It is due to excessive moisture and a sign of moisture damage. It might seem like a harmless discoloration but if neglected, can cause premature deterioration on your chimney.
The problem cannot be solved through mere cleaning of the surface. A chimney contractor will not only clean the surface but also coat the brick surface with a water-resistant sealant to protect your chimney. A good sweep will advise waterproofing your chimney surface since it is the only solution against white staining and other moisture problems.
Rusted Damper and Firebox
Moisture and water are chimney’s biggest enemies. They are detrimental to a chimney’s structural integrity. Therefore, a rusted damper and fireplace are a sure sign of trouble and an imminent need for professional chimney repair.
Water Leaks
As mentioned, water and moisture are a danger to your chimney. This is why it is important to guard against chimney leaks. Chimney leaks can be caused by cracks in the crown, missing or defective chimney cap, ineffective flashing system, or word-down mortar. Chimney leaks through the flashing, the water can cause significant damage to the wooden structures inside your home.
Also, if your chimney cap is old or deteriorated, water will seep through the cracks and cause havoc in your chimney flue liners and your home structure as well.
Faulty Mortar Joints
Damaged mortar joints are also a sure sign that you need an urgent chimney repair. If not replaced as soon as possible, the broken mortar will get exposed to high moisture levels putting your chimney at risk of collapse. Damaged mortar is especially a nuisance during winter since the failing mortar joints are highly vulnerable to moisture penetration.
The moisture will freeze inside the bricks and mortar and during the summer, the ice will thaw causing larger cracks in the process. The best defense is to ensure your brick and mortar is safe before winter strikes through a pre-winter inspection. This will offset the need for difficult and costly repairs during winter.
Broken Clay Tiles in the Firebox
The flue liner is the engine of your chimneys. It keeps your chimney working by channeling out heat from the firebox, smoke, and gases out of your home. If you have the traditional chimney line made of clay, you might find broken pieces of clay tiles piling up inside the firebox.
Professional chimney sweeps will examine the condition of your chimney liner during annual inspections. Because chimney liners can be costly to replace, make sure yours has a lifetime warranty.
Chimney Spalling
Another key sign that you need a chimney repair is spalling. If you see bits of concrete, bricks, or stones around the bottom of your chimney, that is spalling. Simply put, your chimney is falling apart brick after brick or stone after stone. Contact a chimney expert immediately or risk having your chimney tumble to the ground.
The expert will remove all the damaged bricks or stones and repair the damaged parts with a fresh mortar and new bricks or stones. Then to ensure the mortar and the bricks don’t fall victim to moisture, they will add waterproof sealant to make sure this doesn’t happen again.
Chimney Replacement
In cases of severe damages, your chimney may need to be replaced entirely. This is often a necessity when the chimney has deteriorated to the point that it becomes a structural liability for your home.
A leaning chimney, for instance, can only be solved through a complete rebuild and replacement to avoid an eventual collapse since the base is not stable enough to support the rest of the structure.
If you need a chimney repair or rebuild, contact us and we will show up and have a look. We specialize in chimney repair and replacement and can detect and fix chimney damage early on.
Contact The Fireplace Doctor
Our Phone Number (Toll Free)
(844) 222-1322
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