Summer Is An Ideal Time For Masonry Repairs
Summer Is For Masonry Repair - Littleton CO - Mountain Man Fireplace & Chimney
Is your masonry looking worse for the wear? You’re not alone. Many love the look and design of a masonry chimney or fireplace, but will begin to notice some cosmetic issues when the structure isn’t regularly inspected and maintained. Unfortunately, these cracks, holes, and crumbling pieces can lead to bigger issues that eventually put your home and family at serious risk. Our team of experts is ready and able to help people all throughout our service area maintain stronger and longer-lasting chimneys and fireplaces. If you need help call on the CSIA certified crew at Mountain Man Fireplace & Chimney today. We’re ready and eager to help you out!
Why Is Now A Good Time?
Fall is only a couple of short months away, so it won’t be long until our schedule books start to fill up. Many homeowners put off maintenance until right before the burning season begins, but this doesn’t always work out in an ideal manner. Because time slots fill up fast, finding the perfect appointment time based on your schedule isn’t typically an easy thing to do. We love it when we can perfectly accommodate homeowners, but this becomes increasingly more difficult the busier we get.Between planning around busy time frames and addressing countless masonry repairs throughout the area, it could end up being quite some time before we get in, get the work done, and give you the okay to light your first fire of the year. We want your holiday season to be as festive as possible, which is why we urge you to call us now while we’re still in our slower time of year. We’ll get your masonry issues addressed in no time!Many find the satisfaction of crossing chimney care off of their to-do list a huge incentive for calling our team in right away, but that’s not the only reason why summer-time repairs are encouraged. This time of year also offers an ideal temperature range for these types of jobs because the materials we use need to be applied in certain weather in order to cure properly. If you put off maintenance too long, we might advise you to wait until spring comes back around to get your work done-.Let’s work together now to get your masonry looking and functioning great before fall and winter arrive. We’d love nothing more than to offer you the peace of mind you’re looking for regarding your fireplace, and we know you won’t regret calling us in early when you’re lighting up a fire on that first cold day.
Don’t Let Crumbling Masonry Bring You Down Any Longer
When it comes right down to it, a broken down chimney isn’t especially fun to come home to and it’s dangerous to light fires when damages are present. Your risk for house fires and gas leaks increases significantly, and you may eventually face a collapse which could cause injury and cost you hundreds in damages. Don’t take any chances. Give our team a call now!
Have Your Masonry Repairs Done Now!
With warm temperatures and long days still outside, few homeowners are using their fireplaces. However, fall is just around the corner; make sure your chimney is ready for this burning season by having it serviced and repaired now!If your chimney needs to be repaired, now is the perfect time to have it done. Having your chimney repaired before the heavy burning season will ensure you and your family can enjoy a safe and efficient fireplace all winter long.
What causes masonry damage?
The exterior masonry of your chimney is meant to withstand the elements; however, even the best built chimneys can be damaged or deteriorate over time. The following are three common causes of masonry damage.
- Moisture: Water is one of nature’s most damaging elements, especially to the masonry of your chimney. The freeze thaw process, during which small amounts of water absorbed by the brick expand and cause further damage, can cause masonry to crack and spall in as little as one winter. Water from rain, ice, snow, and even sprinklers can lead to damage or chimney leaks.
- Settling: Settling happens to all homes; if your fireplace were not built on a strong foundation, settling can cause the chimney to crack and shift. Cracks in the refractory masonry of the firebox are a common symptom of settling. Chimneys that have shifted or cracked due to settling should be inspected as soon as possible to ensure they are still structurally sound.
- Other causes of masonry damage: Even the toughest masonry can be damaged in a number of surprising ways. Painting the chimney with a non-breathable sealant can trap water inside, causing hidden masonry damage behind the paint. Likewise, attempting to power wash a dirty chimney can do more damage than good; power washing masonry can cause cracks and holes that let water in and cause further damage.
Benefits of having your masonry repaired now
Even though you aren’t currently using your chimney, now is the perfect time to have your chimney repaired. Below are three reasons to have your masonry repaired now.
- No breaks in use. Damaged masonry often means an unusable fireplace. While this isn’t an issue during warm weather, it can literally leave you out in the cold in the winter months. To prevent any breaks in use, have masonry repaired now so it is fixed and ready when cold weather arrives.
- Better appointment availability. Fall and winter are the busiest times for chimney companies as homeowners rush to have chimneys and fireplaces cleaned and repaired. Avoid the rush - and get a more convenient appointment time - by having your masonry repaired now.
- Less chance of weather delays. Unpredictable winter weather can side track and delay masonry repairs. Likewise, some masonry repairs cannot be completed in freezing temperatures or when moisture such as snow and ice are present. Avoid this by having masonry repaired now.
If your masonry is damaged, don’t put off the repairs until fall. Now is the perfect time to have your chimney serviced and repaired. To schedule your masonry repair, chimney sweeping, or other fireplace appointment, contact Mountain Man Fireplace & Chimney today!
Spring Is The Best Time For Exterior Chimney Services
For your fireplace, winter means more than just snow, ice, and freezing temperatures; it is also the period of heaviest fireplace use during the year. Because of this, many fireplaces enter spring a little worse for the wear and are in need of repairs. Luckily, spring is the best time for exterior chimney services!
What causes masonry damage? 
There is a reason chimneys are built out of bricks and mortar - it is one of the strongest building materials on the planet. However, there are a number of ways that masonry can become damaged. Exposure to the elements, extreme weather, house settling, and even animals can all cause damage to your masonry. However, the most common cause of masonry damage is from moisture; water from rain, snow, ice, and even hoses or sprinklers can all cause damage to the bricks. Over time, exposure to moisture can even damage the masonry to the point of affecting the structural stability of the chimney.
What are the signs of masonry damage?
There are varying degrees of masonry damage, ranging from minor cracks and chips to spalling bricks that affect the structural stability of the chimney. However, there are several signs that may indicate your masonry has been damaged.- Chips or cracks in the bricks and mortar- Missing pieces of masonry- Stained masonry- Growth of ivy or climbing vines on the chimney- Chimney leaksSince most of us do not spend a great deal of time studying our chimneys, it can be difficult to tell when damage has occurred. Because of this, an annual sweeping and inspection are an important part of keeping your chimney in good condition. Regular inspections can often identify masonry damage before it progresses into a dangerous problem.
Why is spring the best time for masonry repairs?
The following are four reasons why spring is the best time of year for exterior chimney services.- Low use period: With warmer temperatures outside, most homeowners do not use their fireplaces in the spring. This means that you will not be affected if the fireplace cannot be used for a period of time during repairs.- Flexible scheduling: Because spring is the “off season” for chimneys, scheduling during this time of year is more flexible. During the spring, homeowners are often able to get appointments times that are convenient for them with minimal waiting.- Weather: Many masonry repairs cannot be completed if the weather is too cold or too hot. Spring has ideal weather conditions to help get repairs completed quickly with minimal delays.- Be ready for fall: Even if you aren’t planning on using your fireplace for several months, having it repaired during the spring means there will be no waiting when you’re ready for fires in the fall.If your chimney’s masonry needs to be repaired and you live around Lakewood, now is the best time of year to have it done. Call Mountain Man Fireplace & Chimney today to schedule your exterior chimney services!
We Do More Than Sweep Chimneys
Regular chimney maintenance, such as chimney sweeping, is an important part of keeping your fireplace and chimney working safely and looking beautiful. While many of our customers use us for our chimney sweeping services, we can do much more than that!At Mountain Man Fireplace & Chimney, we specialize in masonry rebuilding and repairs. Keeping your home’s masonry in good condition can not only make sure your fireplace system is structurally safe, but can also keep the exterior of your home looking beautiful.
Our masonry repairs
There are a number of things that can cause your masonry to fail. One of the most common causes of masonry deterioration is water damage. Rain, ice, and snow can all penetrate the brick, causing it to expand and crack when the water freezes. This can lead to cracked and spalled brick, as well as damage to the surrounding masonry or underlying building materials.Masonry can also be damaged by a number of other causes including severe weather, settling, or lack of maintenance.To keep your masonry looking beautiful, we are proud to offer our customers a variety of high quality masonry repair services. Below are just some of the masonry services we offer.
- Chimney crowns: The chimney crown is a masonry slab that covers and protects the top of the chimney surrounding the flue. A damaged chimney crown is often the cause of many chimney leaks, and can also lead to water damage to the masonry of the chimney.
- Tuckpointing: Tuckpointing is the delicate process in which the mortar joints of your chimney are replaced without affecting the surrounding brick. When done correctly, tuckpointing can strengthen your masonry structure while also seamlessly blending in with the existing mortar joints.
- Rebuilds: Whether your chimney has been severely damaged or you simply want a whole new look for your fireplace, a chimney or fireplace rebuild can revitalize the look and feel of your home. A chimney or fireplace rebuild gives you control over the design as well as allowing you to take advantage of modern building materials and techniques.
Why Choose Us
When choosing a company for your home’s masonry repairs, it is important to work with someone who not only understands masonry work but is also experiencing working specifically on fireplace and chimneys. Because the masonry in your firebox and chimney need to withstand high heats and exposure to smoke, gas, and the elements, installing it can be very different than the masonry you find elsewhere on your home.If done incorrectly, masonry repairs can further weaken your damaged chimney or fireplace instead of strengthening it. Likewise, it is also important to make sure the masonry repair matches and blends in well with the existing masonry. If not, the repaired or patched section of masonry may stand out worse than it did when it was damaged! At Mountain Man Chimney & Fireplace, our expert masons have the necessary experience to create a safe and beautiful masonry repair.No matter what your chimney or fireplace needs are, Mountain Man Fireplace & Chimney can handle it all. In addition to keeping your chimney clean, we can repair or rebuild any damaged masonry. If you live in the Littleton, CO area, give us a call (303-679-1601) to schedule your fireplace or chimney appointment!