How Does Winter Chill and Precipitation Affect Your Chimney and Masonry?

1. How Does Winter Chill and Precipitation Affect Your Chimney and Masonry? Winter may cause distress on our homes and our chimneys are no exception. Colder temperatures and increasing precipitation can not only cause damage to the outdoor chimney masonry, it can also create an unsafe environment inside your home. Luckily, these problems are preventable. Let’s discuss these two issues first and then we will discover some tips for prevention. Understanding the Stack Effects The Wood Heat Organization has explained the stack effect as a series of events that occur when warm air inside your home tends to rise up – and rise quickly when the outside air is very cold – which creates varying levels of pressure on different levels of your home. The stack effect, then, occurs when you have low pressure on the lower level of your home and high pressure on the upper level of your home. Cold air leaking into your home from anywhere will then worsen the balance of pressure in your home, and over time, this amplifies the stack effect to the point where a backdraft could occur in your chimney. When you light a fire in the presence of such a backdraft, smoke enters your home and does not travel up through the chimney and out of the house as it should. Crumbling Masonry Precipitation is another concern in the winter, especially as temperatures freeze and thaw repeatedly. Masonry is porous, so when it rains or when snow melts, the water seeps into the pores of the brick and mortar. Then, as the temperature drops below freezing, that moisture starts to expand, forcing the brick and mortar apart and creating tiny fissures. Though it’s difficult to notice at first, after a few freeze and thaw cycles, there’s little doubt that the masonry will inevitably weaken and begin to crumble. Once your masonry begins to crumble, there’s little else you can do but replace it – at least in the areas where the damage is worst. Leaving it as-is could result in even further damage, ultimately leading to structural damage and rot inside your home. Tips to Prevent These Issues The best way to protect your home from the stack effect and prevent crumbling masonry is keeping your fireplace and chimney in good working order with regular cleanings and inspections. You should also inspect your home for any leaks or cracks that would allow cold air in and seal those areas. This could help prevent the stack effect. And most importantly, if you ever feel a draft while lighting a fire that blows smoke out into your home, stop and call a professional right away. To help prevent crumbling masonry, you can consider waterproofing your bricks and mortar using products designed to last through harsh weather conditions. And if you do notice deteriorating masonry, repairing any noticeable fissures and cracks as they appear can help. Lindemann Chimney Service can help find the causes of your stack effect and your crumbling masonry issues. With decades of expertise, we will help make your fireplace safe, efficient and beautiful once again. Contact us to schedule an appointment.