The unique weather conditions of the Las Vegas Valley make chimney repair an event that requires careful planning and execution. Milder regions with more precipitation tend to see chimneys deteriorating in ways that just don't happen here. We've got a dry climate and intense sun, and that can lead to some very specific deterioration patterns. One of the most common calls we get from homeowners is for cracked or loose masonry. And that in itself is not a huge problem—yet. But if we don't catch it and repair it, it can lead to big-time structural problems that really will make us tend to your chimney with the kind of love and care that a good Crème Brûlée deserves.
Chimneys need maintenance, and the most important part of chimney maintenance is ensuring that the flashing—the metal strips that seal the chimney-to-roof joint—is water-tight. That is especially true in a desert environment like Las Vegas, where summer thunderstorms can deliver an entire season's worth of moisture in just a few hours. Ensuring that the chimney-to-roof joint doesn't leak can save a homeowner from the much more expensive prospect of having to repair a water-damaged roof or a water-damaged chimney. So how do you know if the flashing's in good shape? You don't, really, unless you or someone else climbs up to the roof and gives it a close inspection.
The chimney repair work done in Las Vegas emphasizes the long-term health of the chimney as well as the current problem at hand. Three specific services may be needed, depending on the condition of your chimney. Tuckpointing may be necessary to restore masonry joints to a weather-tight condition. That is done right when it is needed; otherwise, it is a six-figure tummy ache. Crown repair is another possible chimney repair service. Your chimney crown is not just a fashionable hat for your chimney; it is also the first line of defense in keeping rain from running down your chimney. If it is not working, something else may need to be done with your chimney so that it might achieve the efficiency you expect of it. Crown repair is very nice to do while it is sunny and dry and not somewhere you want to be while in a drizzle. And then, sometimes, it rains on your roof. When it rains, a chimney's flue must withstand Mother Nature at her most tumultuous. If your chimney is not doing that, it is not flue-ly functioning.
