Chimney Repair
Is your chimney cap cracked? Are the faces of the brick falling apart? Is mortar missing between the bricks?
These are all good indications that your chimney needs repair.
The Ottawa weather is especially hard on chimneys, due to the effect of seasonal freezing and thawing. Depending upon the degree of deterioration, there are different types of chimney repairs available.
Canadian Masonry Services’ qualified technicians evaluate the condition of the chimney and advise you on the best chimney repair solution.
5 Year Warranty on all Chimney Caps
Most chimney degradation are a result of improper chimney crown construction
This is why Canadian Masonry Services does not prescribe to metal chimney caps!
The difference between traditional masonry caps and metal caps have been a point of contention in recent years.
Let Canadian Masonry Services explain!
There are three major parts to the top of a chimney :
The chimney crown
- The chimney crown is the horizontal part on top of the chimney that seal and redirects any precipitation off of the chimney.
The chimney cap
- The chimney cap is on top of the chimney flue , it shield the top of the flue against any water intrusion and also acts as a critter control, against any unwanted birds ,bats and squirrel.
The chimney flue
- The chimney flues system is usually made of terra cotta clay tiles or a metal liner. The flue system protrudes through the chimney crown and the chimney cap fits on top of the flue.
Generally speaking there is two types of chimney crown in use in the in the Ottawa region. You have a traditional masonry crown which made of cement and stone and a metal crown.
Deterioration of a masonry chimneys, that sport a metal crown is caused by a variety of issues.
Due to its intrinsic nature, metal oxidizes if not completely coated. Any joint or cuts in the shearing process, exposes the edge and makes it susceptible to oxidization. This process commences as the crown is exposed to the elements.
Since metal crowns are usually flat ,all the precipitation remains on the Crown . This perpetuates the oxidizing process, the ice buildup around the chimney flue damages the caulking. The caulking seals the opening between the flue and the hole cut in the crown to let the flue protrude through the chimney crown.
As the photograph of metal cap above reflect, once the caulking is breach water pours into the chimney without the owners knowledge.
Caulking does not provide a long lasting seal and due to its nature will need to be changed regularly. In most cases the chimney crown is not readily accessible. These are few reason why Canadian Masonry Services does not use metal crowns.
Deterioration of a masonry chimney, that sport a traditional masonry crown can be attributed to weathering of the chimney due to:
- Inappropriate seals between the chimney flue and the chimney crown or a lack of a continuous drip edge around the perimeter of the chimney.
- The crown not being properly sloped from the edge to the chimney flue is also a source of cause deterioration.
Regular inspections will save you thousands of dollars in chimney repairs.
All of these deficiencies can be alleviated by constructing a chimney crown to the Ontario building code.
Canadian Masonry Services
Construct sloped stone chimney cap with continuous drip edge under the perimeter stones .
A film of Weld Cret bonding agent, is introduce between the drip edge stones and the 2’’ waterproof, concrete weathering cap.
Around the perimeter of the chimney flue, we create a bond brake. Using expansion joint material, This alleviate any water intrusion between the chimney flue and the concrete weathering cap. This expansion joint is made of nonabsorbent polyethylene ,being flexible and permanent it exceeds ASTM D-4819/D-3575 standards.
Only Canadian Masonry Services goes the extra mile to ensure that you will get decades of service and freedom from your chimney repair. We also have the best warranty in the Ottawa region.
Canadian Masonry Services has seen it all!
Bats and your Chimney, another reason why flat metal caps are not up to code.
First of all, bats in Ontario are protected mammals and cannot be trapped, hunted or killed. Canadian Masonry Services can help.
The Ottawa masonry environment brings about a wide range of obstacles and surprises, Bats and chimneys have had long relationship. A proper traditional masonry crown/cap that meets the Ontario Building Code for chimney cap 9.21.4.6 will alleviate any chances of Bats moving in .
Flat Metal caps are notorious for letting bats in the home. Canadian masonry services will remove the flat metal cap, at that point some bat at the top of the chimney will fly away and some will go feather down in the chimney.
Worry not! We will not leave them there, we just gave them notice.
We will construct;
- A new sloped, stone chimney cap with a continuous drip edge under the perimeter stones.
- A film of Weld Cret bonding agent will be introduce between the drip edge stones and the 2’’ waterproof concrete weathering cap.
- Around the perimeter of the chimney flue, we create a bond brake using expansion joint material, this also eliminate any possibility of water and Bats intrusion between the chimney flu and the concrete weathering cap.
At this point we have sealed all the possible entries from the crown.
Now for the removal of the Bats. No bats can enter, we need to get the remaining ones out and keep them out. We will create two opening in the chimney and make one way exit for them. As the sun goes down the Bats will feel the cooler air coming in from are opening we created. The bats will fallow the cool air make their way out the bottom of the netted area, at the mouth of the opening and fly away. At dawn the bat will return but the netting acts as a barrier. They will leave never to return. In 72 Hours your favorite mason by now, will seal the two opening. The Bats are gone and not too traumatized, and we have a happy client.
Let Canadian Masonry Services build you a proper traditional masonry crown/cap, to the Ontario Building Code for chimney caps 9.21.4.6 spec. to begin with and you won’t have this problem.
