Cracked Chimney

What Are Chimney Cracks? 

Cracks in chimneys appear as fractures, fissures, or separations in brick, stone, or cement construction materials. Cracks vary in width, length, and location on the chimney. They range from hairline fractures to large gaps or chipped bricks over an inch wide.  

Cracks may be isolated or clustered in chimney corners, the crown, cap, inner flue, exterior façade, or foundation. While minor cracks resulting from regular expansion and contraction are normal, significant, expanding, or shifting cracks may indicate severe structural vulnerability. 

How Do I Know If My Chimney Has Dangerous Cracks?

Why Do Chimneys Crack? 

Foundation Settlement 

Like the rest of your home’s structure, chimneys depend on stable foundations to remain intact. Soil shifts, poor drainage, or uneven settling can displace foundations, transferring stress upward through the chimney. Ongoing contraction and expansion resulting from temperature changes also fatigue foundation materials over time. Cracks provide an outlet for this resulting stress. 

Age and Wear 

Typical environmental factors like sun exposure, wind, rain, and seasonal temperature swings cause masonry mortar joints to weaken and crumble gradually. Expansion and contraction slowly detach bricks or stones. Older chimneys experience more extreme long-term weathering than newer construction. 

Improper Construction 

Occasionally, chimneys are built without the proper foundation or materials. This deficiency can make them structurally weak from the start. 

Accidents 

Collisions from falling tree branches or storm debris create obvious cracks. However, even minor impacts from ladders or tools against fragile brick can gradually have an effect over time 

Excess Moisture 

Water trapped behind the exterior masonry absorbs into porous materials like brick and mortar. Freeze-thaw cycles burst the materials, causing cracks. Likewise, moisture corrodes interior flue liners. 

Earth Shifts 

Ground movements from earthquakes or soil expansion and contraction impose significant structural stresses. The forces displace foundations and reverberate through chimneys. 

Repairing Cracked Chimneys 

While cracked chimneys require urgent attention, several proven methods exist to restore structural integrity and stability: 

Epoxy Injection 

Specialty epoxy resins seal cracks and effectively glue bricks or stones back together. Injection ports are placed alongside the crack, then epoxy is carefully pumped through them at low pressure. This epoxy fills the gap while simultaneously bonding cracked sections. 

Fixing Mortar Between Bricks 

When the cement-like material holding bricks together starts to crumble or goes missing, it needs to be replaced. Think of it like filling a gap or hole. We remove the old, damaged material and fill it with fresh cement to keep the bricks securely together. 

Adding Reinforcement 

Steel bands are wrapped around chimneys to enhance stability and manage cracks. Rebar inserted into foundations or vertical rebar channels attached to the chimney provides added structural reinforcement. 

Crown Repair 

Damaged crowns get rebuilt to proper dimensions and slope. New concrete or crown sealers protect underlying masonry from water infiltration. 

Chimney Relining 

Specialty materials like poured concrete, metal, or clay tiles relined damaged flues for enhanced safety and performance. 

At JES Foundation Repair, our chimney experts possess the technical know-how to accurately diagnose all chimney crack causes and implement the optimal repairs for permanent restabilization. 

Why Address Cracked Chimneys ASAP? 

While homeowners often prioritize aesthetics, aiming to maintain the pristine appearance of their chimneys, it’s vital to address cracks promptly due to many crucial factors. 

• Expanding cracks compromises the structural integrity, risking collapse. 
• Large gaps allow accelerated decay from water infiltration. 
• Leaning areas will only worsen over time if left unaddressed.  
• Damaged flue liners lead to dangerous exhaust leaks indoors. 
• Crumbling debris falls, posing safety hazards below. 
• Extensive repairs become costlier as damage spreads over time. 
• Cracks enable air leaks for inefficient fireplace/stove heating. 

 JES Foundation Repair brings proven crack repair techniques reinforced by a lifetime warranty. We eliminate safety risks while restoring lasting structural stability.  

Contact JES Foundation Repair for urgent chimney crack assessments and repairs across the DMV. 

FAQs

Is my home’s foundation impacted if just my chimney is sinking?

While it may seem like a localized issue, a cracked chimney could indeed indicate potential problems with your home’s foundation. The foundation of your home plays a crucial role in its structural integrity, and any signs of uneven settling or movement should not be taken lightly.

A cracked chimney may be a symptom of an underlying foundation issue, such as soil erosion, poor soil compaction, or improper foundation construction. Ignoring it could lead to more extensive and costly problems down the line, affecting not just your chimney but potentially your entire home.

To assess the situation accurately, it’s essential to consult with a professional foundation repair expert.

How often should homeowners inspect their chimneys for cracks or damages? 

We recommend homeowners inspect their chimneys at least once a year, preferably before the onset of winter when chimneys are used more frequently. More frequent checks might be beneficial for homes in areas prone to natural disturbances like earthquakes or frequent severe weather. 

Does homeowner’s insurance typically cover chimney crack repairs? 

Whether homeowner’s insurance covers chimney crack repairs largely depends on the cause of the damage. If the damage is sudden and accidental, like damage from a fallen tree or a fire, it may be covered by homeowner’s insurance. However, if the damage results from wear and tear, age, or lack of maintenance, it’s less likely to be covered. Improper construction or known pre-existing damages usually aren’t covered either. It’s essential for homeowners to review their policy details thoroughly and, if in doubt, consult with their insurance provider to understand the specifics of what’s covered and what’s not. 

Resources

Our Top 6 Methods of Foundation Repair

Push piers, helical piers, slab piers, crawl space jacks, wall anchors, and more – how can you repair your foundation?

8 Major Signs Your Home Has a Foundation Problem

Explore the eight key signs of foundation problems in your home, their causes, and how to address them professionally with JES Foundation Repair. Contact us to get a free estimate and secure your home's safety and longevity with our expert assistance.

Foundation Settlement 101: A Guide for Homeowners

Foundation settlement can severely damage your home. Learn about its causes and prevention methods to protect your investment.