The Chimney Swift Ltd.

Our latest restoration

john — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 19:14:40 +0000

The chimney on this house in Waterloo was originally terminated at the top with a stepped out/stepped back in corbelling, topped with a soldier course of brick. No concrete drip cap on top with 2" drip edge, as required by the Ontario Building Code. This type of construction is often employed by European trained masons, however these chimneys almost always fail prematurely. Water is able to penetrate the chimney structure much more easily than if there is a concrete cap with drip edge.

In order to achieve a distinctive, visually appealing appearance, we corbel out 4 rows, then install the required concrete cap with drip edge.

before repair

closeup after repair

Questionable choices

john — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 19:48:11 +0000

Chimneys deteriorate - typically above the roof, and usually because water is able to find its way into the chimney structure. Then they need to be (at least) partially re-built. This can be costly.
The attached photos show what I like to call "the ostrich effect". If I can't see the damage, it is not there!
This chimney was covered with aluminum siding above the roof, presumably to cover up damage to the chimney. The damage will continue, and in fact may now be worse, because the concrete drip cap no longer has the required 2" drip edge. Rainwater can very easily get in behind the siding, get absorbed into the brick and continue to deteriorate..

First restoration of the season

john — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 18:44:54 +0000

The early onset of spring weather permitted us to get started with our chimney restoration work earlier than any other time that I can remember.

This particular chimney was built with stepped out - stepped back in corbelling at the top. Not uncommon, but also not complying with the requirements of the Ontario Building Code. The OBC requires a concrete drip cap with a drip edge extending a minimum of 2" beyond the brick. This type of corbelling allows water to enter the chimney structure, leading to premature deterioration.

This chimney also had an unused flue, terminated at the top with a "dry flue" tile, which provides very poor rain protection and also acts as a "magnet" for birds an animals.

We re-built this chimney without the corbelling, replaced the dry flue with a regular tile, installed a stainless steel vented cap, and a concrete drip cap.

Wind damage

john — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 00:53:12 +0000

It was extremely windy in this area recently. These photos show what can happen to a manufactured chimney which is improperly installed. This chimney had only one wall support screwed to vinyl siding. There was no offset support or roof braces securing it to the house. This particular chimney services the oil furnace in this home. Therefore, this family has no heat until it is replaced.

Check your chimney in order to prevent this from happening to you. Don't let a damaged chimney leave you in the cold.

aluminum liners

john — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 21:33:13 +0000

Aluminum liners, while legal for use with gas appliances, may experience several problems. They are not durable and can corrode (or be chewed) easily. The photo shows a hole in the raincap, likely chewed by a squirrel. There was a bird nest in this flue. The photo also shows that the liner is in direct contact with the concrete crown. This will prematurely corrode aluminum. The picture also shows that the mortar crown has deteriorated and there is an open hole into the chimney, where there was a squirrel nest. We replaced this liner with stainless steel.

hole in liner

Are you ready for Christmas?

john — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 16:04:22 +0000

Have you had your chimney swept yet? The last thing you want on Christmas Day is a chimney fire. Guaranteed to put a damper on your festivities!

Call today to arrange an appointment or to arrange a gift certificate for a loved one.

I hope it's clean!

Don't let a blocked flue leave you in the cold!

john — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 00:32:37 +0000

Because you enjoy the ambience and heat from wood burning, avoid surprises that might interfere with that enjoyment. Have the chimney swept now.

restoration of the week

john — Sat, 03 Sep 2011 15:51:28 +0000

This weeks featured restoration is a chimney which was deteriorated sufficiently at the top to allow squirrels to enter the chimney structure. Squirrels can be incredibly destructive little creatures. This homeowner was very fortunate because he addressed the situation very quickly, before to

o much damage was done. The squirrels did chew a hole right at the top of the aluminum flue liner (note that they would be unable to chew through a stainless steel liner). There was enough stretch left in the liner that we were able cut off the damaged portion and stretch the liner to the required length. The homeowner was also fortunate that the squirrels did not go down the liner and get into the basement through the draft hood on the furnace. Then there would have been damage to the house and furnishings!

Chimney Restoration of the week

john — Sat, 27 Aug 2011 17:13:28 +0000

This chimney services both a wood-burning fireplace and a gas furnace and water heater. The damage, as shown in the photo) was caused by two things.

I- the gas flue is lined with clay tile, which is not water-tight. Moisture venting up the flue is able to escape into the masonry structure and freeze/thaw cycles throughout the winter will damage the brick and mortar joints.

2 - The mortar used when the chimney was originally built is portland cement based and is too hard. It will not compress, and therefore the brick itself must give during expansion and contraction cycles with occur as the chimney heats up and cools down.

We rebuilt the chimney from the roof up and installed a stainless steel liner in the gas flue to contain the moisture from the gas appliances.

Beat the September rush!

john — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 20:08:00 +0000

Have your chimney swept before Labour Day and SAVE!

Save $10 by having your chimney swept before September 3, 2011.

Call now and beat the fall rush.