What Your Chimney’s Bricks and Mortar Actually Do for You

A well-built masonry chimney looks fantastic as part of a home. But first and foremost, a chimney is designed to provide safety for the home and the people who live in it.

Felgemacher of Buffalo, NY, and Rochester, NY, would like to share a little about the importance of the bricks and mortar of a chimney’s masonry and the protective roles they play.

Why Bricks?

Bricks are strong and relatively inexpensive to produce. They’re far less likely to catch on fire than many other materials that conceivably could be used to build a chimney.

They’re also a lot more economical than, say, cast iron. Yes, a six-inch-thick cast iron chimney would last for hundreds of years – and it would cost a bundle to construct, and it would weigh about 10 tons.

A chimney’s jobs

Here are two main jobs a chimney is expected to perform.

Protection

Chimney masonry protects the chimney liner, the fireplace damper, the firebox and materials of the home near the chimney. What does it protect these things from? Primarily, water; secondarily, weather events.

A chimney’s masonry is the only thing standing between the outside world and the inside world of your chimney and house. When the bricks and mortar are damaged, and water is allowed to move in, all kinds of problems can happen. Here are a few.

Damage to the chimney liner

Water can even eventually deteriorate parts of a chimney liner, leading to the escape of high heat, flames, and deadly combustion gases. Damage to things near the liner is likely, but worse is the potential for a house fire and carbon monoxide poisoning to the people inside the home.

Damage to the fireplace damper

Water coming in through cracked bricks or crumbling chimney mortar can find its way to the fireplace damper and cause rust and deterioration. A rusted, damaged damper may not be able to open or close completely, leading to drafting and heat-loss issues.

Damage to the firebox

Ongoing chimney leaks can affect the firebox and its firebricks and refractory panels and open up a space for heat, flames, smoke, and combustion gases to move out of the firebox.

Damage to parts of the home

Water from leaky chimney masonry can damage walls, floors, ceilings, and the roof. Rotting can be destructive and expensive to fix. Another major problem with chimney leaks is mold, which thrives in dark, damp and poorly ventilated spaces.

Provide a Secure Drafting Channel

Another job of your chimney’s masonry is to provide a secure housing for the drafting of the fireplace. During construction, a chimney’s height should be determined based on the type of fireplace or other appliance(s) it’s being used to draft. Too short or too tall will result in venting issues.

The chimney should be built with an inner space that’s appropriate for the diameter of the chimney liner, which should also be specifically sized. A professional chimney inspection can confirm these details and ensure your system is drafting safely and efficiently.

Signs of masonry damage

Watch for:

• Cracked bricks
• Crumbling mortar
• Damp patches on walls and ceilings
• White stains on exterior masonry
• A leaning chimney
• Musty odors in the attic or coming from the firebox
• Water in the firebox

Some of these signs may indicate issues besides a leaky chimney. If you notice them, call a qualified chimney company for an inspection.

The Help your Chimney Needs

Since 1953, the Felgemacher name has been synonymous with quality, experience and service. If there’s trouble with your chimney’s masonry or any other part of the system, call us first.

Reach a chimney expert in the Buffalo, NY, or Rochester, NY, area by phone or through our online contact form.