This chimney was cracked, loose and crumbling due to extensive saturation decay to the brick masonry cells. During saturation, this chimney has gone through extensive expansion and contraction during freezing temperatures. (These cracks can cause a leak into your home.) The state of this chimney is due to multiple factors, including: lack of a proper chimney cap and a lack of a water seal treatment. This chimney has become heavily saturated and the bricks and mortar joints have been extensively damaged due to the saturation decay. A proper chimney cap is one that shelters and protects the entire masonry crown footprint and all terminations, with a screen to keep our pests and debris. A masonry chimney is a clay porous structure that absorbs water and becomes saturated in the PNW climate. In this saturated state, masonry decay is accelerated. It is regular exterior building maintenance to apply a water sealant to any masonry structure every 10 years. With this water seal application and the recommended repairs, we guarantee no leaking to occur. These shoulders leave the brick exposed, which allows for water intrusion and accelerated saturation decay to the brick masonry cells.
We took this chimney down to the roof line and rebuild using new “Cascade Spice” brick, built a new crown with a new masonry flue tiles, and supplied and installed new masonry counter flashing. We rebuild these shoulders as well, to prevent further saturation decay.
Need your chimney inspected? Need an estimate for repairs?
503-758-4710
Portland Fireplace and Chimney Inc. is licensed, bonded and insured, and has a history of providing excellent service to customers for well over 25 years. Our family has been living in the northwest and servicing people with not only chimney needs but many other areas of construction such as roofing, foundation, and forensic leak determination. It is our passion, our livelihood and our love of the community around us that inspires the excellence in trade knowledge and customer service.
- Oregon State CCB # 202488
- Washington State WA # PORTLFI852C5
- Vice President of the Oregon Chimney Sweep Association (OCSA)
- Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) certified Chimney Sweep
- Member in good standing of the Chimney Sweep Guild
- Lead Certified
