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The fireplace is a lovely addition to any home. And during the winter months, it’s more than just a centerpiece in your living room. It can keep you warm as you cuddle up by the fire with your loved ones.
But even when you’re not using your fireplace, your chimney is exposed to all kinds of elements, all throughout the year. Because of this, it can easily be damaged. Heavy rains, strong winds, and even snow, can eventually cause cracks in your masonry.
Depending on your skills and knowledge on chimney repair, you may or may not want to call a professional to fix it. In case you want to try it out and repair the bricks yourself, here’s a handy guide to give you a basic idea on what to do.
How to Repair Masonry Cracks
Some people simply use sealant to fill up cracks, as it is a very easy method of repair. But cracks that are filled with sealant are noticeable, because the bricks are colored differently and the surface of the sealant has sheen. This can be frustrating to look at, especially if you value the appearance of your chimney or fireplace. This is an effective method of repair, no doubt, but it’s also not the most appealing approach.
Some people add sand on the surface of uncured sealant to make it look a bit like mortar. But the real method you should try depends on the visibility of the cracks, and of course, your budget.
If the cracks are obvious or highly visible, you should try replacing the cracked bricks along the length of the crack instead of patching them up with sealant.
For multi-wythe walls, you may have to repair the crack in some of the backup wythes. This is to prevent cracks from recurring.
If the crack is not that obvious, or is in a relatively concealed area, you can grind out the cracks and seal them with a good quality sealant. This is also an effective repairing technique if you have a limited budget.
Grind the cracks to a width of approximately ¼ to 3/8 inch and a depth of roughly twice the width. Install a backer rod to avoid creating a sealant joint that is bonded along three sides. If your sealant joints are bonded along three sides, it can be prone to additional or recurring damage. You want to improve the quality of your masonry, not worsen it.
And speaking of improvements, you can upgrade the appearance of these sealant joints by applying sand to the surface of the uncured sealant.
Calling a Professional
If your chimney is in need of a major crack repair and a sealant isn’t enough to do the trick satisfactorily, then calling in a professional is the next step. Normally, if you’re having your chimney cleaned, the chimney sweep will inspect the quality of your fireplace and all its components before proceeding. They will inform you if anything is in need of repairs or replacements.
To ensure the safety of your chimney, have a professional chimney sweep do the repairs for you. Contact Clean Sweep 317 today and ask about their services. They won’t just repair and clean your chimney, they will identify the cause of the damage and address those issues as well.
The post Do it Yourself: How to Repair Masonry Cracks appeared first on Clean Sweep 317.
source https://www.cleansweep317.com/masonry-cracks-repair/
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