Spring is in swing! With its longer days and warmer temps, this is often the season when homeowners turn their attention to various maintenance tasks around the house. And if a past chimney inspection has revealed masonry issues, or if you’ve noticed cracking, crumbling mortar, or other signs of deterioration, now is also the ideal time to add chimney masonry repairs to the to-tackle list.
Why Is Springtime the Best Time?
The upkeep of chimney masonry is a crucial aspect of maintaining a safer and more efficient fireplace and furnace venting system – and springtime presents the perfect opportunity to address any issues. Why is that?
1. Assessing (and addressing) winter damage
In winter’s wake, your chimney has likely endured some wear and tear. The freeze/thaw cycle – a cycle in which moisture in the masonry expands as it freezes, creating yet more space for water to enter and freeze – can lead to cracking and spalling. With Indiana’s freezing temperatures, harsh winds, and the constant expansion and contraction of materials through the winter, it’s not surprising that such masonry damage can occur.
Spring presents an excellent opportunity to assess any winter damage. The milder weather allows for a thorough inspection of your chimney’s structure after winter’s extremes have passed. And remember – identifying and remedying issues quickly can prevent them from worsening over time, potentially saving you time, headaches, and money down the road.
2. Preventing the intrusion of moisture
Winter makes chimneys vulnerable to damage due to exposure to the elements. Winter snow, ice, and rain can seep into cracks and gaps in masonry, leading to further deterioration. While more likely to be initiated and exacerbated by winter (see point 1), this leads to year-round issues with moisture.
Moisture in a chimney is never positive. It creates an environment that’s conducive to mold and mildew growth, can produce leaks in your home, and can lead to structural damage in your chimney. Preventing moisture intrusion before the accumulation of the year’s rain is wise, and attending to the issue in spring leaves a window of warm weather in which to get the job done – after which, waterproofing treatments can be applied. Waterproofing is applied in warm weather and protects masonry, increasing its longevity and minimizing the risk of water-related damage.
3. Curing conditions
Curing is an essential part of a successful masonry repair. Your chimney professional will remove and replace old, crumbling mortar with new mortar formulated to your particular job. Curing is a period of time under the right conditions during which this new mortar hardens and reaches optimal strength.
The bond and durability of your project is secured by proper curing, and spring lends itself to the best outcomes because humidity and temperatures tend to be held at the right level for this process to occur. Timing is a significant factor in masonry repairs – and a significant reason that spring tends to be best for this type of work.
4. The end of burning season
Another reason spring is a good time for masonry repairs is simply that you aren’t using your chimney. With the winding down of the home heating and burn season, you’ve prepared your fireplace and furnace to lie dormant through the warmer months. Scheduling repairs now means your enjoyment of your heating system during the chilly fall and winter seasons won’t be interrupted – and imagine how delightful it’ll be to begin the next home heating and burn season knowing your chimney is in tip-top shape and ready to use when fall sets in.
5. Beating the rush
Chimney repair professionals tend to be less busy in spring compared to the peak season of fall and winter, when everyone is scrambling to get their furnace and fireplace systems prepared for the fall and winter season. Scheduling repairs in spring allows you to secure the services of your chimney professional promptly, ensuring that your system will be ready to go by next heating season.
Moreover, because availability is usually broader during this time, you’ll likely have more flexibility in scheduling a time that’s most convenient for your schedule.
Don’t Wait – Book With Us
Cracked and deteriorating masonry can cause a whole host of issues in your home, but these problems are not insurmountable – especially when caught early. Being attentive to chimney needs and responsive to any concerns that arise during your annual chimney inspection will help protect the investment you have in your home.
Addressing minor issues early on – and taking advantage of the optimal conditions for masonry curing – prevents them from escalating into more extensive repairs later. Regular maintenance and repairs will also improve the efficiency of your chimney, which can lead to more efficient combustion and reduce energy consumption.
So for masonry repairs, now is the time to spring into action… (pun intended).
Call Today
If masonry repairs are in your future, consider working with our highly-rated and well-qualified team. Putting our experience to work for you can give the peace of mind you deserve, knowing the job will be completed with quality and durability in mind.
Give us a call at 317-643-1128 or book online now to see what our award-winning, expert technicians can do for you!