The safety and efficiency of your home's heating system depend on the integrity of its chimney, especially in a place like Enterprise where the weather can affect it. One of the most common chimney repairs is fixing cracks in the masonry. Mortar joints tend to wear out before the masonry itself does. So, the first step in a masonry chimney repair is to investigate the mortar joints. If they aren't cracked, the repairs may just involve a little tuckpointing, which is what I do most of the time when fixing a chimney. Interestingly, tuckpointing (or pointing, for short) is a process used in masonry repair. Brick chimneys are repaired in a similar manner.
Chimneys need regular maintenance just like any other part of the home, and that includes ensuring the chimney flashing is in good shape. The flashing is the metal barrier that keeps the space between the chimney and the roof water-tight. It's critical because the roof is slanted, and water running down it could easily penetrate the joint between the chimney and the roof without flashing there to keep the joint water-tight. Over the years, the sun beats down on the flashing, and rain, snow, and ice also hit it—the flashing can take a real pounding. Despite all that, though, a good quality flashing in good repair can keep the joint water-tight for many years. But if the flashing is improperly installed in the first place, or if it's not from a good-quality material, then it could fail. If it fails, the space between the chimney and roof is no longer water-tight, and the water could run down inside the wall to below the level of the roof.
Beyond meeting immediate repair needs, the residents of Enterprise must adopt a preventive approach to keeping their chimneys in good working order. They should have the chimneys inspected annually and cleaned when necessary. This will, in a great many instances, prevent the kind of major repairs that can cause serious disruption and involve a lot of money. When the inspectors come, they make certain that (1) the chimney crown is sound, (2) the flue is clear and in good shape, and (3) the cap is duly applied and doing its job. On most that's a half-day job for two fellows with brushes, shovels, and good hats to wear. If you find that your chimney needs work, do it well ahead of the cold season and before the possible arrival of "Murphy's Law."
