Baltimore Chimney Repair
Keeping a healthy fireplace is about more than a few chimney sweep
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One of the greatest advantages to owning a home is the addition of a chimney. From the outside, chimneys might make a house look boring and routine. But inside they provide warmth, comfort, and make great backdrops for family holidays.
It’s important to maintain yours, though. There have been many stories of accidents and tragedies unfolding because of improperly caring for a chimney ̶ ̶ especially in the transition to the colder seasons. Luckily, maintaining a chimney is one of the cheaper home maintenance tasks you or professional chimney contractors can do. It’s not always easy though. In fact, one of the largest responsibilities we at Charm City Masonry deal with is providing the best chimney service Baltimore has to offer. In this article, we’re going to tell you everything you need to know about maintaining and repairing your chimney so you can make sure it’s ready for the Autumn and Winter seasons. 
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Types of Chimneys and Liners
Know the differences
There are two main types of chimneys: masonry chimneys built from stone and mortar, bricks, or blocks, and prefabricated metal chimneys.
The most common type for Baltimore homes is brick. Whichever one you have, you need to know about the liners that help funnel smoke and debris through your chimney flue and out into the air. There are three main types of liners:
Clay Tile Chimney Liners
Clay tile liners are very common in most homes ̶ ̶ picture a brownish, ceramic clay pot. It’s very inexpensive relative to other types of liners, but you do get what you pay for. Clay liners do not withstand rapid temperature changes as well as other materials and so can crack under these rapid changes.
Replacement and repair can be a hassle because it requires breaking open your chimney walls. Unlike a few home maintenance jobs, this is not one you should be attempting to do. You need professional chimney contractors.
Metal Chimney Liners
Aluminum and stainless steel are two of the most common metal liners. However, depending on your fireplace, aluminum will not be an option.
Aluminum metal does not do well in wood- or coal-burning fireplaces; it’s reserved for gas fireplaces instead.
Stainless steel liners can stand up against gas, coal, and wood fireplaces and as such are recommended by most masonry contractors because of it. As you might expect, stainless steel chimney liners are one of the more expensive options.
Cast-in-place Chimney Liners
Cast-in-place liners are lightweight, cement casts that are an industrial solution to chimney flues. These liners are poured in liquid form through your chimney flue to create one solid liner. And because this liner is made of cement, it’s strong and durable; adding to the structural integrity and lifespan of your chimney.
The most common type for Baltimore homes is brick. Whichever one you have, you need to know about the liners that help funnel smoke and debris through your chimney flue and out into the air. There are three main types of liners:
Clay Tile Chimney Liners
Clay tile liners are very common in most homes ̶ ̶ picture a brownish, ceramic clay pot. It’s very inexpensive relative to other types of liners, but you do get what you pay for. Clay liners do not withstand rapid temperature changes as well as other materials and so can crack under these rapid changes.
Replacement and repair can be a hassle because it requires breaking open your chimney walls. Unlike a few home maintenance jobs, this is not one you should be attempting to do. You need professional chimney contractors.
Metal Chimney Liners
Aluminum and stainless steel are two of the most common metal liners. However, depending on your fireplace, aluminum will not be an option.
Aluminum metal does not do well in wood- or coal-burning fireplaces; it’s reserved for gas fireplaces instead.
Stainless steel liners can stand up against gas, coal, and wood fireplaces and as such are recommended by most masonry contractors because of it. As you might expect, stainless steel chimney liners are one of the more expensive options.
Cast-in-place Chimney Liners
Cast-in-place liners are lightweight, cement casts that are an industrial solution to chimney flues. These liners are poured in liquid form through your chimney flue to create one solid liner. And because this liner is made of cement, it’s strong and durable; adding to the structural integrity and lifespan of your chimney.
Does My Chimney Need to be Relined?
A major repair you can avoid with regular sweeps
This is a very difficult question to give a definite answer to. It depends on the burn quality of your fires, the venting quality of your chimney flue and whether or not those problems are caused by faulty lining.
If you suspect that your chimney needs major lining repairs, contact a professional chimney masonry contractor. There are plenty of Baltimore masonry contractors who would be willing to give you an assessment.
If you suspect that your chimney needs major lining repairs, contact a professional chimney masonry contractor. There are plenty of Baltimore masonry contractors who would be willing to give you an assessment.
When Does My Chimney Need Sweeping?
And when do I need to hire a Chimney Sweeper in Baltimore
In general, you should be cleaning your chimney once a year before the cold season starts. If you live somewhere with a prolonged cold season or just use your fireplace year-round, you’ll need more frequent chimney sweeps.
Aside from regular maintenance, you should watch out for the following and clean your chimney accordingly.
Fireplace Smells Like a Campfire
It’s a beautiful smell that reminds you of the cottage and camping, but if you’re detecting the smell of burnt wood when your fireplace isn’t on, your chimney isn’t properly venting. This can occur from a buildup of soot and creosote - a sticky, tar-like substance - or other physical debris.
Fire Doesn’t Light as Quickly and When it Does, it Burns Oddly
When you light a fire in your fireplace and it just doesn’t burn like it used to, this can indicate a buildup of soot, creosote or other obstructions preventing proper oxygen flow. Another indication of low oxygen flow is if It takes more effort to get a fire going and keep it going.
Fireplace Damper is Black or Has Oily Marks
If your fireplace is just black from soot that can be fixed with a chimney sweep. If the “staining” is coming from creosote ̶ ̶ and depending on the stage of creosote development ̶ ̶ you might need more than a few chimney sweeps. You might need third-party creosote remover products or professional contractors.
Evidence of Animals
Nothing to do with burning gas, coal, or wood, animals and pests can nest in your chimney. If you hear animal noises or notice animal markings or trails left behind, you’ll want to contact professionals to deal with the problem. Birds and squirrels are the most common culprits for making homes in your chimney.
Aside from regular maintenance, you should watch out for the following and clean your chimney accordingly.
Fireplace Smells Like a Campfire
It’s a beautiful smell that reminds you of the cottage and camping, but if you’re detecting the smell of burnt wood when your fireplace isn’t on, your chimney isn’t properly venting. This can occur from a buildup of soot and creosote - a sticky, tar-like substance - or other physical debris.
Fire Doesn’t Light as Quickly and When it Does, it Burns Oddly
When you light a fire in your fireplace and it just doesn’t burn like it used to, this can indicate a buildup of soot, creosote or other obstructions preventing proper oxygen flow. Another indication of low oxygen flow is if It takes more effort to get a fire going and keep it going.
Fireplace Damper is Black or Has Oily Marks
If your fireplace is just black from soot that can be fixed with a chimney sweep. If the “staining” is coming from creosote ̶ ̶ and depending on the stage of creosote development ̶ ̶ you might need more than a few chimney sweeps. You might need third-party creosote remover products or professional contractors.
Evidence of Animals
Nothing to do with burning gas, coal, or wood, animals and pests can nest in your chimney. If you hear animal noises or notice animal markings or trails left behind, you’ll want to contact professionals to deal with the problem. Birds and squirrels are the most common culprits for making homes in your chimney.
Is My Chimney Leaking?
Thankfully, easy to spot
Chimney leaks can compromise the structural integrity as well as the burn quality of your fireplace. Water getting into places it’s not supposed to be can lead to mould and rot which can lead to heavy repair and replacement costs in the future.
Luckily, unlike other leaks in your house, chimney leaks are easy to diagnose. If you’re noticing obvious signs of leaking like sounds of water dropping or visual pooling, you’ll want to contact a general or chimney contractor. Usually, chimneys leak because of improperly installed or damaged roof flashing lining the chimney base.
Luckily, unlike other leaks in your house, chimney leaks are easy to diagnose. If you’re noticing obvious signs of leaking like sounds of water dropping or visual pooling, you’ll want to contact a general or chimney contractor. Usually, chimneys leak because of improperly installed or damaged roof flashing lining the chimney base.
Why is My Chimney Crumbling?
A natural cost of brick masonry
If your chimney is made of brick, like so many are, natural wear and tear might lead to crumbling known as, “Spalling”. In fact, a lot of our chimney service in Baltimore has to do with repairing spalling.
Because brick is porous, it more readily expands and contracts through the seasons. This effect combined with water build-up inside the brick means that both the bricks and the mortar naturally start to erode.
The best way to prevent spalling is by applying a sealant. If sealants aren’t applied properly, however, it can lead to trapping in moisture. This is why you need to hire professional Baltimore masonry contractors to help you formulate a strategy for preventing and treating spalling.
Because brick is porous, it more readily expands and contracts through the seasons. This effect combined with water build-up inside the brick means that both the bricks and the mortar naturally start to erode.
The best way to prevent spalling is by applying a sealant. If sealants aren’t applied properly, however, it can lead to trapping in moisture. This is why you need to hire professional Baltimore masonry contractors to help you formulate a strategy for preventing and treating spalling.
Your Baltimore Masonry Contractors
Everything You Need
A chimney is a real benefit to any home. It provides a more traditional and organic way to heat your home during the cold Autumn and Winter months and really does transform a house into a home.
Like we’ve discussed in this article, it’s very important to maintain your chimney to keep a high quality of warmth and a high degree of safety.
Chimney servicing is a large part of what we do and we’ve been doing it for years in Baltimore. We are a licensed and trained team of professionals with experience in chimney sweeps and chimney installation and repair.
If you’re looking for estimates or consultations for new chimney installations, we’re always here to help.
If you’ve already taken the plunge and need repair and restoration work done, our team is always ready to go.
Like we’ve discussed in this article, it’s very important to maintain your chimney to keep a high quality of warmth and a high degree of safety.
Chimney servicing is a large part of what we do and we’ve been doing it for years in Baltimore. We are a licensed and trained team of professionals with experience in chimney sweeps and chimney installation and repair.
If you’re looking for estimates or consultations for new chimney installations, we’re always here to help.
If you’ve already taken the plunge and need repair and restoration work done, our team is always ready to go.