Repairing Guides

how to repair crumbling cinder block chimney

by Dr. Dolly Witting DDS Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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  • First you need to prep the cinder block. Scrape off as much paint as you can and chip away any loose sections. ...
  • Next, brush off any loose dust with the masonry brush and brush on the masonry glue. This will help the cement bond with the cinder block. ...
  • Now you are ready to apply the cement. I used approx 3/4ths morter mix and 1/4 portland cement. ...
  • After I had all of the holes and gaps relatively smooth I applied a thinner coat over the whole thing and textured it. ...
  • Let the cement cure for as long as possible by lightly wetting it and covering it. ...
  • I did my Chimney in sections over a period of several days, but I imagine the more you can do at once the stronger the overal bond will be.
  • Once everything has cured seal it well with 2 coats of Dry-Lock or a similar masonry sealant and paint.

Part of a video titled How to Patch a Chimney - EASY! - YouTube
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Now apply the mortar to the damaged. Areas in my case it's the entire chimney. Use the pointingMoreNow apply the mortar to the damaged. Areas in my case it's the entire chimney. Use the pointing trowel mainly for cracks then use a flat trowel to really smooth it.

How do I remove a cinder block chimney?

Required Tools for this Project

  • Angle grinder
  • Bucket
  • Cold chisel
  • Dust mask
  • Hammer
  • Hammer drill
  • Hearing protection
  • Safety glasses
  • Tuckpointing tool

How do you build a block chimney?

  • Mix the mortar with the suggested portions of cement, lime and builders sand. ...
  • Lay the brinks on top of each other, building up the chimney’s walls on each side. ...
  • As you are building the outside of the chimney, lay the flue tiles at the same time and use the mortar to seal them together. ...

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Who to call for chimney repair?

You may have one or more of these typical problems:

  • Cracks in the exterior brick or masonry
  • Cracks in the chimney liner or flue
  • Water infiltration
  • Clogged chimney (often due to nests)
  • Creosote buildup
  • Loose chimney flashing
  • Separation between chimney cricket and chimney (a cricket is a small roof transition piece)
  • Poor venting

How to repair a cracked brick chimney?

Try one or all of the following:

  • Waterproof the chimney with a specially designed solution that is vapor-permeable and allows the brick to breathe out, not in.
  • Repair or replace the flashing.
  • Repair or replace the chimney crown (the top part of the chimney) if it's damaged.
  • Install a chimney cap, which is also called a rain cover. ...

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Can you paint cinder block chimney?

You can paint both new and previously painted cinder block fireplaces yourself, but they require more preparation than other surfaces in your home to ensure the paint adheres to the surface and that it can last as long as possible.

How do you cover a cinder block chimney?

A cinder block chimney is not exactly attractive. You can cover it up with an application of stucco, which will give it a more appealing finish. Stucco is similar to concrete. It has cement in is as well as sand, but it also has lime, which creates a slightly different texture.

How do you waterproof a concrete block chimney?

Fix any cracks in the mortar, or if the chimney is severely damaged re-point the chimney. Use a waterproofing sealer, like this one found at homedepot.com which is a silane/siloxane blend that will waterproof and protect your chimney from future leaks and water damage for over 10 years.

How do you repair a masonry chimney?

InstructionsRepoint the Chimney Brick Mortar. Mortar holds bricks together. ... Caulk Around the Flue and the Crown. ... Patch Cracks in the Large Crown Area. ... Patch Hairline Cracks With Sealant. ... Repair Cracked Bricks. ... Replace Cracked Bricks.

How do I reface my outdoor chimney?

The refacing process involves installing either a stone veneer or a faux stone, which is prefabricated mortar designed to look like stone, to cover your existing brick masonry chimney. A key advantage of stone is the water protection it provides.

How do you fill concrete cinder blocks?

1:447:46How To Fill Block Foundation Wall With Concrete! Concrete Pump Truck!YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd it's a special pump mix a little bit thinner got a different rock in it so to go down to theMoreAnd it's a special pump mix a little bit thinner got a different rock in it so to go down to the bottom of those and once it dries it'll cure out with that rebar and it'll make the block wall. Strong.

Can You Use Flex Seal on a chimney?

What Does Flex Seal Spray Work On? Flex Seal will work on roofs, gutters, skylights, windowsills, flashings, downspouts, foundations, awnings, chimneys, vent pipes, RV's, campers, trailers. It can be applied to wood, copper and other metals, concrete, masonry, glass, fabric, plastics and much more.

Is Drylok good for chimneys?

DRYLOK® Masonry Crack Filler seals, waterproofs and repairs cracks and mortar joints in concrete sidewalks, walls, steps, chimney crowns and floors. It dries to the color of concrete, will not bleed, and cleans up in a jiffy with just soap and water.

What is the best sealer for chimney?

While polyurethane does have its strengths related to its fairly low price, silicone is by far the superior choice when choosing a chimney sealer. Silicone is an inorganic substance that has high toughness against temperature fluctuations and UV rays.

Can crumbling bricks be repaired?

If your brick has already started to crumble, can it be repaired? Yes, it can. You may DIY, however, it's recommended that a professional does this so further structural damage doesn't occur. Crumbling and cracked bricks can be replaced with newer bricks and then sealed back into place.

How do you repair the inside of a chimney?

0:010:59Chimney Cracked / Damaged Flue Smart Repair with Tom - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd there's no dim elation involved and it's oftentimes more cost-effective than installing aMoreAnd there's no dim elation involved and it's oftentimes more cost-effective than installing a stainless steel liner. This is an example of the inside of your chimney with heat shield applied.

How do you fix spalling brick on a chimney?

How to Repair Spalling Brick ChimneysTools and Equipment. At the bare minimum, you should have the following tools to replace damaged bricks:Investigate the Cause of the Damage. ... Be Sure to Choose the Right Bricks to Replace. ... Cut Out the Spalled Bricks. ... Replace the Old Mortar. ... Replace the Old Bricks.

Why do chimneys have crowns?

The crown of the chimney is meant to prevent water damage and is built in a downward slope. It protects the part of the chimney from the connecting roof to the top.

Why is it important to have a chimney?

The condition of your chimney is particularly important when it comes to roof health. Curb appeal, the safety of your building, and the overall value of your building all rest on the condition of your chimney.

Is it bad if your chimney is leaning?

YES, it’s a big deal. If your chimney is leaning even just a little bit, it maybe a BIG problem as it’s in danger of collapsing and possibly hurting someone or cause more damage to your house.

How to make mortar consistency?

Ideally the mortar should be the consistency of porridge. If the mortar is too thick, add a little bit more water until it is the right consistency. Keep the mixture thick enough so that it can stick to the trowel. Scrape any sand or cement from the sides of the buckets into the mixture.

How to smooth out mortar?

Use a striker to smooth out the mortar. A strike is a curved scalper that will smooth out the mortar and help to push out any air bubbles. Hold the striker in your dominant hand and pull the head over the areas that you have applied the mortar on. Start with the horizontal lines and then complete the vertical lines.

How to mix cement and sand?

Slowly turn the bucket as you are mixing to help agitate the sand and cement. To make 1 bucket of mortar mixture, use 3 heaped trowels of sand and 1 heaped trowel of cement powder. This ratio applies to volume rather than weight.

How to make a mortar and sand?

Mix the sand, cement, and water together. Turn the sand, cement, and water using a bricklayers trowel. Slowly turn the bucket as you mix the mortar, this will help to further mix the ingredients. Keep mixing until the mortar is well combined. Ideally the mortar should be the consistency of porridge.

How to get mortar out of mortar pile?

Squeeze the mortar into the gaps between the bricks. Wrap your dominant hand around the bag at the top point of the mortal pile. Use your other hand to guide the nozzle. Squeeze your dominant hand, at the top of the bag, to push the mortar out the nozzle.

How long does it take for mortar to dry before lighting a fire?

Leave the mortar to dry for 24 hours before lighting your fire. The mortar can take up to 1 days to properly bond with bricks. Lighting a fire can compromise the structural integrity of the chimney so use your electric heater for the next 24 hours while the mortar dries.

Can you fix a chimney that is collapsing?

Keep in mind that fixing the mortar on a chimney that is collapsing will not fix the chimney. You will need to hire a brick mason or engineer if there are missing bricks, severe cracks in the bricks, or if the chimney is leaning.

How To Repair Crumbling Chimney Mortar

Let’s face it, your chimney is the most abused part of your home. There it stands tall above your home, left to battle wind, rain, heat and freezing temperatures.

Getting Started

Set up your work area before starting your job. Scaffolding or ladders should be properly set and if working on a high or extremely pitched roof, safety harnesses should be used.

Quick Tips

A couple hours after completing the job, go back over it with a stiff broom and remove any left over sand and/or dust.

What happens if a chimney is a fire?

Watch out: a chimney fire, even if it does not set the building ablaze , is likely to have caused serious damage to the chimney itself, leaving it unsafe, as may other chimney cracks or movements for any reason. The risks include building fires, potentially fatal flue gas leaks, improper draft, and unsafe heating equipment operation.

What are the risks of a fireplace in a building?

Leaks into the building walls (flue gas leaks or sparks into the building interior, a fire or potentially fatal carbon monoxide hazard) Unsafe fireplaces in the building: hearth cracks, fireplace side cracks, chimney damage all present risks of sparks or smoke entering the building cavities, a fire and flue gas risk.

Can a broken chimney be repaired?

Extensive concrete block cracks, badly damaged masonry chimney flues, curved, leaning, broken masonry chimneys may need to be re-built to be safe and functional. But minor chimney damage, and chimney damage that is confined to just above the roof line can usually be repaired or re-built.

Do you have to replace bricks in a concrete chimney?

A modern concrete block chimney uses a hard-fired clay chimney liner inside the blocks and a listed or UL-listed approved chimney cap. You should not have to replace blocks with bricks. Now, call a chimney repair contractor or two in your area and let me know what they tell you.

Can you patch a hole in a chimney thimble?

Donna#N#A hole at the chimney thimble location can be patched, filled in with a combination of masonry fragments or stone or even block fragments and some cement.#N#However if there are heating devices that vent into the chimney from below this point, then you may need your Mason to be sure that the flue liner is safe and intact.

What does it mean when a chimney is crumbling?

In most cases, a crumbling chimney means the mortar between the bricks has degraded, the bricks have cracked, or both. Repairing a chimney that has started to crumble is a task most homeowners can do themselves. Often it requires you to repoint the mortar and replace any damaged bricks.

Why do chimneys crumble?

Chimneys are often positioned in exposed areas of the roof, and crumbling can occur due to weathering even if other brickwork around your home is in good condition.

Can you use an old frosting bag instead of mortar?

An old frosting bag can be used instead of a mortar bag. Renee Miller began writing professionally in 2008, contributing to websites and the "Community Press" newspaper. She is co-founder of On Fiction Writing, a website for writers. Miller holds a diploma in social services from Clarke College in Belleville, Ontario.

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