Chimney Repair Boston MA
AJ Exteriors, Inc.
617-957-0904
Boston, MA
CSA Home Services
617 549 7609
Somerville, MA
Chimney Questions and Answers
Building a cricket (or saddle) on a chimney When building a cricket on a chimney, do the edges of the cricket go all the way to the edge of the chimney or are they set back from the edge to allow for flashing? If set back, how far? The cricket may be built either way I run mine out to the edge of the chimney to ensure that when the flashing is added the water is run well away. You should remember to maintain your 1" clearance from combustible material for fire protection. The flashing will serve as the fire stop.
The chimney on my 30 year old house has crumbling mortar on the top 6 rows. It appears to be stable from this point down. What type of mortar can I use to repair this? Are there any hints I can get? Can I just run up with a trowel, straight edge and some mortar? Are the liner bricks likely to need remortaring?
What usually happens is the mortar will breakdown from where the chimney leaves the attic. This is caused by the temperature difference creating moisture and chemical breakdown from the burned fuel. I recommend taking the chimney down to the flashing and replacing it inside and out. You can use either a type S mortar (1 part portland 1/2 part lime 4 1/2 sand)or a type N ( 1 part portland 1 part lime 6 parts sand). You can buy this in bags by type and just add sand. Check the rest of the chimney for cracks inside and out but it will most likely be just the top and should be simple to replace. Chimney chipping My Chimney is being chipped away little by little in various spots, it seems as if the outside face of the red brick is just being shaved off by the elements of weather. How can I re-patch the faces of these bricks around the chimney, and with what? it almost looks as if birds are pecking at different bricks along the top and base of chimney. Your right the brick are ...