Repairing Cracks in your Chimney

There are various things that can go wrong with your chimney.  The development of cracks is a common issue and can become a problem for several reasons.  Not all cracks are the same though.  Hairline cracks may not cause much of an issue.  You may be able to just use a bit of sealant to keep the problem from getting worse.

However, wider cracks can certainly present problems, whether they are vertical or horizontal.  They often start out small but will grow larger over time depending on the reason for their appearance in the first place.

Cracks in your chimney can lead to water penetrating inside.  During the winter, damage can get even worse thanks to the freeze-dry cycle.  If your chimney makes use of bricks, you should definitely apply brick sealant onto the cracks to keep moisture out.

Before you can begin repairing cracks in your chimney though, it is important to get all debris out of the interior.  You can rent some tools to do this yourself if you have some time on your hands.  Alternatively, you can simply call a professional to clean out the debris and maybe even repair the cracks for you.

If you are intent on repairing the cracks yourself, then make sure the area around them is completely dry.  If they are wet, it will reduce the effectiveness of the bonding material.  You have the option of using a bonding material over the crack or simple caulk.  Whatever type of material you put over it, make sure that you let it dry completely.  It should take no more than one or two days.

After applying the bonding material or caulk over your cracks, the repaired area you will likely stick out from the rest.  If you had a pretty knife, you can smooth it out a bit.  Sanding the area is also an option after you have let it dry completely.

Sometimes, the mortar used in your chimney will be the main problem.  In this case you will need to replace the mortar entirely.  You will need a hammer and a chisel to do this.  After taking a square size portion of the mortar out, you will need to replace it using ready mix mortar.  Make sure you use mortar which is weather resistant.  Unlike simple caulk or bonding material, mortar can take a few months to cure completely.

Cracks in your chimney can cause problems in the future.  Make sure you have them repaired as soon as possible.