Chimney Basics: About Spalling Bricks

Have you noticed that the masonry on your chimney is breaking off into small pieces and falling on your roof? If so, it will help to know chimney basics about spalling bricks. You also want to be sure to call expert chimney sweeps about this issue. In the Richmond, VA area, homeowners have learned about the dependability of our CSIA-certified chimney pros at Chimney Saver Solutions.

When you are facing a masonry problem like spalling bricks, you especially want to be sure to call bona fide chimney technicians. In our unregulated industry, scammers could cost you a ton of money without even giving your problem with broken bricks a proper fix.

What is Brick Spalling?

Moisture is the number one enemy of chimneys. So, it makes sense that spalling damage is a widespread chimney problem. Specifically, brick spalling happens when the surface or face of the brick peels, chips, or flakes off. Spalling bricks contain moisture because one or more chimney components have failed, allowing moisture to seep into the chimney system. The real damage occurs in winter during the freezing season, when water expands and contracts inside bricks.

Spalling causes other defects, such as damaged mortar. Cracks can develop, multiplying the moisture damage. These developments are much worse than mere eye sores. Chimney masonry repair is needed. As long as the need for repairs is ignored, the problem only gets worse.

Can Bad Things Happen if Spalling Bricks are Ignored?

Of course, when it comes to home maintenance, no one should use the eyes-closed method of dealing with it. If spalling bricks are not replaced, the chimney will begin to lean. Eventually, the chimney will crumble or lean to such an extent that the structure collapses.

In the meantime, ignoring damage to the chimney exterior is potentially only part of the problem. If the chimney liner has suffered deterioration because moisture has mixed with the toxic properties in creosote, your home and family are vulnerable to two potentially deadly problems, as follows:

First, your home could have an out-of-control house fire because of a process known as pyrolysis. Pyrolysis occurs when combustible parts of your home experience prolonged exposure to heat. As a result, the composition of those materials is altered so that they can suddenly ignite when exposed to far lower temperatures coming from the fireplace.

Secondly, your family could be affected by carbon monoxide exposure, which can be deadly.

How to Prevent Spalling

The easiest way to prevent brick spalling is to schedule professional chimney sweeps to perform chimney inspections annually. When deterioration occurs, promptly schedule repairs. Otherwise, problems will only worsen. Besides annual inspections, call your trusted chimney pros after chimney fires, lightning strikes, and extreme weather such as summer or winter storms.

Once your chimney is in good condition, with no moisture intrusion, schedule chimney waterproofing. It adds an extra layer of protection to help keep moisture out of your chimney system.

Calling the Experts is the Best Way to Fix Brick Spalling

It isn’t enough to know the basics about spalling bricks on your chimney. Spalling bricks must be replaced. At Chimney Saver Solutions, our CSIA-certified chimney technicians have expertise in chimney masonry work. We can provide a full or partial chimney rebuild that will restore the structure to like-new condition.

Other services may be needed as you keep up with chimney maintenance, and we offer all those services. For example, in addition to chimney liner replacement, flashing repair, chimney crown rebuilding, chimney cleaning, and chimney cap installation, we fix chimney leaks, provide new fireplace installation, and more.