a Bunch of Bricks
Posted January 3rd, 2008 in Real Estate, Repairs
A great number of homes in Kitsilano have masonry chimneys and fireplaces. These high functioning features of your home are ones that operate under extremes. Having your chimney/fireplace cleaned and inspected for problems by a qualified masonry expert every 1 to 2 years (how often do you use your fireplace), is a wise precaution.
Extreme Forces
Elements that affect the life of your chimney.
- Expansion and contraction due to freeze/thaw cycles
- Expansion of soluble salts – efflorescence
- Thermal expansion and contraction
- Expansion of rusting metal contiguous to the masonry units
- Painted masonry – moisture trapped in the masonry may not be able to escape
- Masonry “sealed” with an inappropriate sealer
- Effects of acid rain
- Failure to properly repair mortar joints (repointing) soon after initial mortar failure
- Using an incorrectly formulated repair mortar for repointing
- Failure to repoint
- Incompatible materials with differing physical characteristics contiguous to each other
- Imperfections in the masonry units (bricks)from the fabrication or manufacturing process
- Masonry units installed incorrectly – poor workmanship
- Poor detailing, design and specifications
- Wind erosion
- Biological growth – plant life
- Rising damp – the vertical migration of water through masonry by way of capillary action
- Splash back – water falling from the roof line, impacting the ground and splashing against the masonry
- Impact from vehicles etc. - YES this does happen.
- Settling
- Birds and mammals List courtesy of Abstract Masonry Inc.
Got a Vancouver Real Estate question? I’ll do my best to answer it. Call or send me an email. Larry
