What to do...

Joe Dirt

Well, we're in the process of saving money for a chimney replacement (just the top, the rest checked ok), but I'd like to do something up here to ease my mind, since some of these bricks are really bad-

What can I do to at least cover some of this stuff to prevent some water from passing through, or shouldn't I worry about it? I think it may be this fall at the earliest that we can pull the trigger on the repairs. Sealant? Mortar? Pray?

CplDevilDog

Spalled bricks. Water wicks in, freezes and pops the face off.

The chimney cap should have just a little more overhang.

Could you grind out the mortar between the cap and the top course and install black metal flashing down over the top two courses? I would replace the spalled ones as they are just an invite to further damage.



EDIT

I'm an idiot, there is no mortar joint between the top course and the cap (just looked at the picture again). I still like the flashing idea though. If you used a diamond blade on a 7" grinder you could flush cut the top of the brick and tuck your flashing.

Just an idea, we should get a Mason's opinion....

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CplDevilDog

Great Avatar! I feel that way all the time

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AtlanticWBConst.

Yeah = Funny Avatar & quote

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TRUEPRO

If you wanted to fix the problem forever AND save money you could have the top parged with portland cement. This would seal it up and prevent any more water from getting in. Only downside is it will look like one giant concrete cap.

GL

Joe Dirt

Interesting ideas... When it was looked at last fall, the chimney contractor said it was sound, just popping off the faces. If I parge the chimney, and re-seal the inside (we have some cracked tiles inside and were going to have it sprayed inside to seal it up) will it be fine to use for an extended period of time?

Or even with the flashing? I'm assuming that the flashing would be somewhat temporary, unless it covers the entire affected area?

I'm thinking that the parging wouldn't actually look bad, since there isn't much brick on the exterior. Can it be tinted I assume?

TRUEPRO

Yes. Behr makes a exterior concrete stain that comes in many colors. You could easily find a color that would compliment the existing brick. You could find this at lowes.

If you hire someone to do this work, make sure ALL the loose brick and mortar is removed before parging.

CplDevilDog

I would be a little concerned that water could get behind the parge and pop it off. Only because it is not original to the cap.

Don't see any reason the flashing wouldn't last at least 30 years.

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Fix'n it

lol, yeah, same here.

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Fix'n it

can you elaborate on this ? my chimney, in the attic, doesn't look so good. and i am looking for a fix. i don't care what it looks like, as long as it is strong and lasting. avoiding a complete tear down would be GRAND !

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Jeeps

Seems like I always give out the gloomy news ...

If you look at the amount of spalling brick there is, and notice the step flashing pulling away that is full of patching/tar, the chimney is ready for a pro brick mason redo and new flashing job from the roof line up....

If I went that far, I would have that cement crown cap just covered with a full piece of copper that would be turned down over the outer perimeter = end of future crown cap maintenance ( excluding lighting strikes of course) . All of my notions of course, depending on how long the OP is going to stay in the home and budgetary restraints. jmo

Joe Dirt

Jeeps-

In all honesty, that is what we were planning for from the start. We just bought the house, and plan on being there for a long time. I guess I would worry about the parge popping off as well, that does make sense, especially since the cap is flush. Lots to think about, thanks everyone...