Unlike some home repair issues, the gradual decline of a chimney often goes unnoticed for years. During this period of modest disrepair, a wide range of structural problems and fire risks can arise. Even small gaps between brick layers create an opening for unwelcome pests. Here are three telltale signs your chimney may require repair.
Inspect the exterior of your chimney on a reasonably sunny day. If you see spaces where the mortar has fallen away, chances are at least minor repairs are required. Even if everything appears visually sound, run a screwdriver over the pointing and check for loose and crumbling mortar. The mortar between a chimney's bricks typically requires tuckpointing every 10-15 years. But severe weather and other factors can speed up the decline.
High winds and hard impacts sometimes eliminate chimney caps altogether. Houses with damaged caps often remain in place even though they don't necessarily deter water penetrations or pests.
Checking your cap status doesn't require taking a risky hike up a steep ladder. Homeowners can stand at a safe distance and see whether it's still there and evaluate its condition.
Ranked as the most unnoticed telltale sign that a chimney needs immediate repairs involves efflorescence or "White Staining." The exterior usually has spots of white that may run along with the mortar or jump across a few layers of bricks.
White staining often gets disregarded as normal aging by many homeowners. However, it's a damaging sign that natural salts in the mortar are being forced to the surface. The culprit is moisture getting deep into the chimney and reducing its strength. If you have white staining, consider scheduling a chimney inspection.
A well-constructed and maintained chimney can last for more than a century. By recognizing the telltale signs that repairs are needed, homeowners can avoid peripheral damage, pest infestations, fire and the high cost of a replacement.
Susan Shuxian Hu has been a dedicated realtor serving in Silicon Valley since 2010. With great passion, outstanding negotiation skills and due diligence, she has helped many buyers and sellers in their real estate needs. Living in West San Jose for more than 14 years, she has broad knowledge in Cupertino, West San Jose, Los Altos and Saratoga. She has enormous patience working with buyers and never tired of showing all possible properties that may fit client’s needs. Clients appreciate her best service to their satisfaction. She specialized in luxurious real estate purchase in Los Altos, Cupertino, Saratoga and Palo Alto. She also helped friend and past client’s referral working in San Francisco, Foster City and far reached Bay Area.
Susan Shuxian Hu was graduated in East China Normal University in Shanghai with bachelor and master degrees in Bio science. She came to US in 1989 and earned her Ph.D. in Molecular Genetics in Texas A&M University in 1996. After one year of postdoc in Southern Florida University in Tampa, she moved back to Orlando with her family and started working in Lucent Technologies. In 2002, Susan moved to California, Silicon Valley joined a start-up company. Since then she worked in high tech Corporation till 2009. Driven by her dream job pursuing, she found her passion working in sales by helping people in real estate after one year of education in De Anza business and real estate law study. Since then, she has been serving many people in Bay Area for their real estate needs.
With bilingual advantage, she has been actively working with Chinese immigrants as well as local engineers and residents. With rich high tech background and connection with Chinese community, Susan has served in luxurious real estate in last a couple of years.