6 Important Chimney and Fireplace Maintenance Tips

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Nothing beats a real wood-burning fireplace in the frigid fall and winter months. The crackling sound of a fireplace and the flickering flames are mesmerizing—the greatest entertainment available. The genuine deal is a wood-burning fireplace.

However, unlike gas fireplaces, you must pay for that authentic feeling with frequent upkeep. Follow these guidelines to keep your fireplace in good working order for your comfort and safety. If you’re also looking for a chimney removal in Toronto, continue reading as this article will entail where you can get that service.

Repair Brick Mortar Gaps in the Firebox

Over time, gaps in the brick mortar on the interior of your fireplace form. It’s natural for mortar particles on the refractory fire bricks to loosen and fall due to the continual expansion and contraction of materials induced by the fireplace’s intense heat.

Fire can find a way through the cracks and damage the house’s structure. Fill mortar gaps within the fireplace’s firebox using fireplace mortar or refractory caulk, a mineral-based filler.

You’ll need a putty knife to clear out the loose mortar and a can of compressed air to blow out the remainder for this quick remedy. After that, all that’s left is to caulk the seams.

Clean the Chimney

Unlike gas and gel fires, Wood-burning fireplaces produce a tremendous quantity of heat and smoke. Creosote builds upon the interior of the fireplace flue, speeding up a chimney fire, which the fire department must extinguish.

Chimney cleaning removes potentially dangerous creosote and other combustible particles from your flue. The ashes in the firebox are removed, and the chimney is cleaned from top to bottom. Invest in your chimney-cleaning tools and conduct the work yourself, or hire a professional chimney sweep or home restoration services in Toronto.

Use the Right Firewood

The quality of the wood you burn in your fireplace is only as excellent as the wood you burn in it. Burning the wrong kind of wood dirties the fireplace’s interior fast, necessitating more regular cleaning.

Softwoods are less expensive than hardwoods, but they burn more quickly and generate fine ash that is harder to clean up. They also produce creosote more quickly. Spruce, cedar, poplar, and balsam are examples of softwoods. Choose hardwoods like maple, oak, ash, and birch for a more constant, hotter burn.

Replace the Fireplace Screen

Fireplace screens are available in various shapes and metals, and they may be placed close or even against the fireplace. Install a glass fireplace screen to keep smoke from leaving the firebox. These heat-resistant glass inserts keep most smoke out while allowing heat to pass through.

Repair, Build, or Spruce up the Mantel

If your fireplace’s mantle has been in place for a long time, it may be beginning to show its age. Or you could be fed up with it. You may make a new fireplace mantel out of live-edge wood or walnut stock in any case.

Alternatively, you could want your fireplace mantel to resemble an old railroad tie—albeit a fake one. If carpentry isn’t your thing, consider renovating your mantel for a fresh new appearance.

Hire A Professional

Exterior chimney repair is a major job, so hire a chimney repair professional or a mason if you think the job is too big for you.

Minor external chimney flaws are exacerbated by the environment and quickly escalate into serious issues. Interior issues caused by a poorly maintained chimney and flashing include wet ceilings, moist attic insulation, and mushy wall drywall.

Conclusion

Your chimney is one of the most sensitive parts of your home’s exterior, as it is subjected to rain, wind, snow, and extreme temperatures daily. A chimney’s bricks and mortar decay faster than any other portion of your house. A dangerously unstable chimney might endanger your family’s safety. It’s advisable to seek chimney repair services in Toronto as soon as you notice a problem.

Red Robin Masonry is Toronto’s most trusted masonry company. Our masonry services include brickwork, parging, stonework, and chimney repair services in Toronto. Get in touch with us if you need help with your chimneys and fireplaces.

Chimney Maintenance 101: The Signs You Should Look Out For

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Chimney Maintenance 101: The Signs You Should Look Out For

By now, it shouldn’t be a surprise that one of the dirtiest parts of the house is the chimney. Most of the time, it is filled with dense soot, combustion gases, and elements. This is why it’s important to maintain them with regular cleaning and repairs. Otherwise, you limit its lifespan despite being built to withstand harsh conditions.

Without further ado, let’s break down the signs you should look out for to maintain, clean, and repair your chimney.

Sign #1: The Stench of Burning Wood

If you find that the scent or stench of burning wood is emitting from an unused fireplace, then it’s time to act. This is usually a sign of severe creosote buildup, which has the potential to spark a disastrous chimney fire if left neglected.

Sign #2: The Difficult of Lighting Flames

We’ve learned in school that fire needs a bit of oxygen or air. Thus, if there is insufficient ventilation, it is difficult to start a fireplace. If you find it difficult to light up flames, this could be due to the substantial creosote buildup. Give your fireplace a thorough sweep to restore order.

Sign #3: The Accumulation of Non-Wood Debris

Discovering non-wood debris in your fireplace is nothing but bad news. The cause of this is certainly due to a faulty flue liner. Contact chimney professionals as soon as you become aware of the problem, and schedule a chimney relining immediately. If a fireplace is not properly ventilated, it has the potential to ignite nearby combustibles.

Sign #4: The Bricks are Starting to Whiten

If you find white flakes on brickwork, this may indicate major moisture deterioration. The only way forward is to rebuild the places that have been damaged.

Sign #5: The Apparent Cracks in the Brickwork

Apparent cracks in the brickwork of your fireplace are simply a revelation of deteriorating mortar. Because the mortar is what holds bricks together, it is critical to schedule a chimney masonry repair while the problem is still minor.

Sign #6: The Long Overdue Inspection 

If your most recent fireplace inspection was around a year ago, it’s time to pick up the phone and make a call. It’s important to note that a professional inspection of your chimney should be done at least once a year. This could help you prevent further damage or accidents.

Finding Rusty  Fireplace Accessories

While defects in the brick are easily visible from the outside, rust is less visible but can be just as detrimental. You may miss rust higher in the chimney unless you undertake annual chimney inspections, but you may notice symptoms coming from the fireplace.

Rust mostly indicated excessive moisture on the firebox or fireplace, which is never a good thing and can aggravate pre-existing issues. Thus, inspect the rusty chimney and choose the best next steps by contacting a chimney repair professional.

Shaling Down a Fireplace

Shaling is the formation of thin flue tile slices on the fireplace floor. It’s almost as though the weight is causing the chimney to collapse. It happens when the flue liner ruptures, allowing water to enter the space beneath the tiles. Water expands and changes temperature, causing the tiles to loosen and fall.

A damaged liner is a serious safety threat, thus any shaling should be investigated very away. A professional with a camera that can travel up the flue is the best option for checking for these issues.

Conclusion

While chimneys are meant to collect dust, debris, and other remnants of flame, they are also meant to be cleaned, maintained, and repaired. So if you haven’t yet, get to work and have your chimney and fireplace swept through. You won’t just prevent costly blunders, you will also extend its lifespan and make the most out of your investment.

For reliable chimney repair services in Toronto, Red Robin Masonry is the best in the field. We offer you first-class tools, industry expertise, and well-trained professionals. Call us now and get your FREE estimate today!

Here’s Why a Collapsed Chimney Is a Danger to Your Home and Family

Water enters your home when the roof is damaged. When windows are broken, the elements come into your home as well. When the chimney collapses, what about the chimney? Will it collapse? What if there’s damage to the bricks? If you see something has gone awry, or you see that the chimney has collapsed, it’s imperative that you not waste time getting it fixed. Why? Because it puts the structural integrity of your home at risk.

If a chimney is not structurally sound, it will not function properly. That’s why it’s important to get chimney repair services in Toronto when there are signs of damage. When repairs are delayed, even worse problems can occur.

The Big Problem

The elements will destroy your house. Over time, even the strongest of raw materials break down. Rocks are susceptible to erosion, bricks are susceptible to extreme temperatures, and moisture can settle in. Rain, snow, sleet, and freezing-thawing cycles will cause cracks. These cracks can worsen over time, eventually leading to a collapsed chimney. Elements will destroy your house; you must do proper maintenance to make it last longer.

There’s a Real Danger

Water and chimneys don’t mix. When water gets into your chimney, it can do irreparable damage. It can lead to a collapse, a fire, or a brick wall that doesn’t function properly. The weight of the chimney can be affected by water damage, which puts its structural integrity at risk. There’s no telling where water penetration will lead. It could lead to a structural collapse, which would be devastating and could wreak havoc on your home.

The Consequences

Your home could suffer from a collapsed chimney. If you’re not careful and don’t do maintenance, a broken window or a collapsed chimney could lead to a collapsed roof. Your roof could suffer from water damage and be useless for keeping the weather out. Your roof would no longer be able to protect your home.

What’s more, a broken chimney or window could lead to a fire. With no proper protection from the elements, they could easily settle into your walls. They could get cozy in the insulation or even in the framing. If they settle in, they can be difficult to remove. They could also soon lead to a fire. Water and wood don’t mix, but they put your walls at risk.

The Causes

There are three main culprits for roof damage: water, wind, and ice. The roof is constantly exposed to the elements, and it could be damaged. It is exposed to the sun’s harsh rays and the beating of the rain, snow, and sleet. These things can wreak havoc on your roof.

When water is allowed to get into your home, it can cause your roof to sustain serious damage. Water is heavy. If it comes in contact with your roof, it will put a great deal of pressure on it. Water can also warp and crack your roof, which will cause leaks. That’s why it’s essential to fix your roof as soon as you spot a leak. If left alone, a leak can lead to a collapsed roof.

The same is true for a collapsed chimney. If you see that it is broken, take care of it as soon as possible. If you don’t fix the damage, it can lead to a collapsed chimney. A collapsed chimney can cause water to be able to enter your home. When water enters your home from the inside, the door will be the last place you look. Water can easily get into your house through the chimney if you don’t catch it.

How Can You Prevent It?

The best way to prevent chimney damage is to have your chimney inspected every year. We recommend that homeowners have their chimneys inspected twice a year, Once in the Spring and once in the Fall.

Conclusion

If your chimney is damaged, the elements can enter your home and cause havoc. If you don’t take a proactive stance and you don’t watch out for your chimney, it can lead to a collapsed chimney. When the chimney collapses, it will lead to water damage which, as you know, can be costly. If you notice any signs of problem, you should immediately call for chimney repair services in Toronto. Make sure that you only call a trusted professional to do the job.

Red Robin Masonry is a team of experts offering chimney repair services in Toronto. Contact our pros today so we can inspect your chimney and fix any problem you might be having!

What You Need to Know about Chimney Flue and Why It’s Needed

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What You Need to Know about Chimney Flue and Why It’s Needed

Your chimney is connected to your fireplace. It acts as a conduit for smoke and other contaminants so they can be released out of your home.

Any gas or wood-burning fireplace has its own chimney flue. A chimney flue is a vertical passage where the smoke, debris, and contaminants (produced by the fire you started in the firebox) escape into the chimney and out of your house.

In this article, we’ll discuss why chimney flues are vital components of both the chimney and the fireplace safety and maintenance.

Why Chimney Flues Are Essential

Here are some of the reasons why chimney flues are essential to your chimney and fireplace.

  1. Chimney Flues Prevent Chimney Fire

First, it’s because they prevent combustion from happening in your home and in any surrounding area. That unrecognised part of your fireplace can protect you and your family from sudden combustion while starting a fire.

When chimney flues are unlined, they will let smoke and other contaminants escape through the mortar and bricks. This will allow heat and smoke to turn into a chimney fire, passing through any combustible materials in your homes, such as drywall and wood studs, that can eventually cause a fire.

That’s why chimney flue liners are made up of solid and seamless surfaces that prevent the smoke in the flue and go directly out of the chimney.

What Is a Chimney Fire

As mentioned earlier, when chimney flues are unlined, it can cause smoke and heat to escape sideways and into the bricks and mortar. Because of this, it can create combustion that causes chimney fire.

And chimney fire is not something that anyone should take lightly. It’s a terrifying scenario that is hard to extinguish and handle.

When the chimney fire starts, it’ll begin with a sort of gunshots popping and can immediately progress into deep rumbling, similar to the sound of a running freight train. Because of this, your flue may break, which permits the fire to enter inside your home.

If this happens (we really hope not), the fire department recommends that you water down into the house from the top of your chimney so you can properly put off the fire, but unfortunately, it will result in flooding inside the house.

  1. Chimney Flues Allow the Passage of Gasses and Smoke

Chimney flues are created to prevent smoke and any gasses from going into the bricks and mortar. Flues are created smooth to help direct the smoke upward and outside your chimney faster.

  1. Chimney Flues Protect Your Chimney Materials

When you start a fire in your firebox, it also produces contaminants that are usually carried by smoke. Through steel and clay flues, they can protect the surrounding mortar and bricks from any acid, creosote, and other contaminants.

Conclusion

Chimney flues are important parts of your chimney and fireplace as they give passage to smoke and other contaminants out of the house. They help prevent chimney fires that can ultimately damage your home and threaten your family’s lives.

Red Robin Masonry is Toronto’s most trusted masonry company that provides brickwork, parging, stonework and chimney repair services in Markham! Request a quote today!

3 Common Chimney Problems and Ways to Deal with Them

A fireplace is an essential component of any house found in regions that experience frigid weather. Toronto homes, for example, typically have fireplaces built into them. If your home is the same, you likely have a chimney as well.

It may not seem obvious to most, but chimneys are as important as other fixtures in a house. After all, it helps remove any smoke a fireplace produces. Without the chimney, smoke particles, fire embers, and soot may cling to a room, leaving it uninhabitable.

Given the chimney’s role, it’s only reasonable that you take great care in maintaining it or having it maintained throughout the year. Companies that offer chimney repair services are likely to provide maintenance and cleaning as well.

If you don’t have the time to contact a professional, it’s best that you keep in mind some of the problems your chimney may encounter over the years.

1. Obstructions

You can find a part of the chimney in the exterior of your home, so it’s not surprising that it’s susceptible to the weather and other outside elements, like birds and squirrels.

If not minded correctly, your chimney may become obstructed over time. There are several reasons this happens, such as bird’s nests or leaves falling into the chimney or soot building up after a lack of cleaning.

Regardless of the reason, chimney obstruction will cause further problems for you. The most pressing will be toxic fumes, such as carbon monoxide entering your home.

As much as possible, contact someone that offers professional chimney repair services to help you save time and money.

2. Unwanted Inhabitants

Aside from inanimate obstructions, your chimney may also start housing live critters if left unattended. Such a thing often happens when it’s nearing the colder months, considering that animals will find warm places to seek shelter.

To prevent unwanted inhabitants and the subsequent obstructions that they bring, you need to invest in a chimney cap if you haven’t yet. If your chimney has one, but it’s not functioning correctly, then contact a professional that specializes in chimney repair services to get it fixed.

It’s tempting to DIY it yourself, especially since there are chimney caps available in home depots. However, working with a proper technician will ensure that the chimney cap is high quality and undergoes correct installation.

3. Stacking

Another chimney problem you may encounter is stacking.

Stacking is a problem that results from the stack effect, which happens when warm air exits the chimney. As a result, it leaves the cold air to replace it. The cold air makes it impossible for the next batch of warm air from the fireplace to escape through the chimney.

There’s an easy fix to stacking: light a piece of paper and place it near the open damper. After a few seconds, the cold air should leave. Depending on the state of your chimney, you may need to do this several times before you can use the fireplace.

Final Thoughts

The chimney is exposed to external elements all year round, making it no surprise that it’s one of the most vulnerable pieces of your home. Without proper care and maintenance, you’ll likely find yourself with a subpar chimney or, worse, a dysfunctional one.

To prevent such a thing from happening, you’ll need to invest time (and most likely, funds) into the care of your chimney. If you’re looking for professional chimney repair services in Toronto, do consider Red Robin Masonry. We offer various masonry services, including ones that have to do with fireplaces and chimneys. Contact us today to book a consultation and learn more about our offerings!

The Advantages of Using Stone Veneers for Your Home

When it comes to improving your home’s interior, you can never go wrong with stone! Whether it be your living room, hallway, kitchen, or backyard, stone can significantly impact the appearance of your space. Stone is a timeless element in contemporary interiors—its features make for a beautiful design that many homeowners can’t help but gravitate to.

Stone is powerful. When you design your space right, the characteristics of stone could help create a space that feels elegant, natural, and inviting, all at the same time. Unfortunately, although widely appreciated, not every homeowner has access to authentic natural stone.

Many agree that natural stone is beautiful, but some would think twice about buying it due to its steep price. However, just because natural stone is way above your budget doesn’t mean you have to say goodbye to your dream interior. Thanks to stone veneer, you can turn the vision for your home into a reality!

What Is Stone Veneer?

Also referred to as faux stone or cast stone, stone veneer is a type of stonework that serves as an excellent alternative to natural stone. By mixing cement, pigments, and natural aggregates, you’ll end up with a beautiful result that can fool the naked eye into thinking that the material is derived from the expensive original.

Many tend to think that artificial means poor, but stone veneer may just change your mind! With this artificial stone, you can transform your interior and elevate its appearance just as a natural stone would.

What Are the Benefits of Stone Veneer?

Of course, anyone would opt for real natural stone, but this isn’t always possible. Fortunately, thanks to stonework professionals’ creative and practical minds, they’ve developed stone veneer, which eliminates the inhibitions one might have with natural stone. Still, it replicates the beauty that you fell in love with.

Some of the many benefits of opting for stone veneers include:

  1. Cost Savings

Natural stone is beautiful as it is expensive. Depending on how much stone you want for your interior, you could end up more than you’re comfortable with if you’re firm on sticking to natural stone.

On the other hand, stone veneer provides a cost-effective way of beautifying your space without forgetting your budget. With stone veneers, you won’t have to worry about a hefty price tag or expensive shipping—you’ll get to have a beautiful stone element for your home without much expense!

  1. Easy Installation

Unlike natural stone that is incredibly heavy to move around, stone veneer is easy to install anywhere you wish. Using stone veneers eliminates the possibility of compatibility problems; this material can easily cover a variety of surfaces, such as cement, brick, wood, and more.

  1. Excellent Flexibility

Unfortunately, natural stone has its limitations. Although you can install it on a curved surface, you’ll have to spend a significant amount of time and effort to accomplish the task. With stone veneers, you can cover curved surfaces in just a fraction of time than you would if you used natural stone! As long as you leave the job to an experienced professional who uses the right tools, stone veneer can be placed on any less-than-level surfaces.

Conclusion

Natural stone can be an excellent addition to any home, but it’s not a practical choice for many homeowners. Fortunately, stone veneers allow anyone to easily incorporate stone elements into their interior without sacrificing their budget! With the right manufacturer and planning, you’re sure to have a home that feels comfortable and looks visually pleasing!

If you’re looking for the best stonework in Toronto, you’ve come to the right place! At Red Robin Masonry, we’re equipped to build full walls of houses or buildings, retaining walls, flagstone patios and more using natural stone or veneer stone. Request a quote today!

How to Avoid Chimney Repair Scams: Helpful Tips to Follow

How to Avoid Chimney Repair Scams: Helpful Tips to Follow

Chimney problems aren’t always obvious. Additionally, not all homeowners are completely knowledgeable about their chimneys. These reasons led to the growing popularity of chimney cleaning and repair scams.

Scammers operate by telling homeowners they are in imminent danger of a carbon monoxide leak or other problems that require an immediate solution. This causes feelings of panic and fear to homeowners, leading them to pay a handsome amount in exchange for supposedly fast and effective service. Thankfully, preventing falling victim to a scam like this is possible by being knowledgeable. Here are ways to avoid being ripped off by chimney repair scammers:

  • Do Online Research

Before deciding to work with any chimney specialist, look them up online. Take the time to look at their online profiles and read client testimonials to have an idea of the quality of their work.

Pay attention to reviews. It can be a major red flag if a company has no reviews, despite being in the industry for a long time. It’s also best to stay away from a company with multiple negative reviews.

Go instead for a professional with a well-established online profile and a high number of positive reviews. They should also be bonded and insured to ensure you are protected against different potential problems. If possible, ask for proof of insurance before working with a company.

  • Get a Second Quote

Don’t settle for the first company that offers the lowest quote. Shop around, get second (or multiple) quotes before working with them, and compare those quotes with one another.

Beware of unreasonable quotes. Too high and too-good-to-be-true prices both signify that something’s wrong. For this reason, check the average going rate for a chimney rebuild, chimney removal, and other basic services to ensure to get the best deal possible.

  • Ask For Proof of Damage

Chimneys are difficult to access, and many homeowners have no definite way to see if there is actually something wrong with them. This is why they usually rely on chimney specialists to determine if they need repairs. However, not every chimney professional is trustworthy. Some of them are scammers.

To prevent making unnecessary payments, ask for proof of damage before agreeing to extensive chimney repairs. Request for a photo of the area that needs repairs or try to see the damage yourself. This type of repair can be pricey, which is why homeowners have to make sure they are getting their money’s worth.

  • Take Your Time

While faulty chimneys are best repaired immediately, never hire a chimney specialist in a hurry. Additionally, don’t let any company pressure you into agreeing to their services right away. As much as possible, take the time to do thorough online research and get multiple quotes from different companies. Doing this increases the chances of choosing the right contractor.

Conclusion

Scam artists are getting more creative and clever than ever. For instance, they will use pictures of someone else’s chimney or make problems up to make homeowners pay for services they don’t even need. Avoid becoming a victim of these common chimney repair scams by following these tips.

If you need chimney repair services, then you’ve come to the right place. We are Red Robin Masonry, and you can count on us to keep your chimney up and running in no time. Contact us to request a quote!

Here’s What You Should Know About Chimney Rebuilding

If you have a chimney at home, it’s important you have it maintained properly. As part of the maintenance process, chimney rebuilding may be a term that you would often hear, and you might even reach a point when you need one. 

When it’s time to rebuild your chimney, you might feel a bit overwhelmed because it seems like a big and tedious project. However, it’s one of the non-negotiable things you can do for your property; otherwise, it could put you and your loved ones’ health and safety at risk. 

An effective way to feel at ease is to know everything there is to know about it. That way, you will feel more confident to tackle the project. 

 

Chimney Damage

Your chimney is exposed to harmful elements and unpredictable weather conditions all year round. For one, water damage is a huge concern for this; whether from rainwater or melting ice and snow, the liquid may seep through the bricks. In turn, this may cause spalling. 

Spalling damages the brick or stone surface that causes it to peel, flake, or pop. When unaddressed for a long time, it can cause the brick to fall apart, leading to water damage and leaks inside the home. Most of the time, damaged brickwork requires a complete rebuild. 

You may also notice some cracking due to damaged mortar joints. Once this happens, it can allow moisture into the chimney that can cause a lot of problems. 

 

The Importance of Regular Chimney Maintenance

Regular chimney maintenance is important and should occur once a year. It will help prevent fires, and it will also check for damage and signs of animal or pest infestation.

The maintenance includes a thorough inspection to check for cracks, water damage, creosote buildup, spalling issues, damaged crown, deteriorated flashing, unwanted pests in the chimney, and many more. 

Many homeowners think that just because they don’t use their fireplace, they don’t need maintenance anymore. That’s not the case, though. Whether or not you use your fireplace, chimney maintenance is important and shouldn’t be missed. 

 

Chimney Rebuilding

 

There are two types of chimney rebuilding. The first type is a partial rebuild that is often recommended for small chimneys where scaffolding isn’t required. This type of chimney rebuilding means only one part of the chimney will be replaced. It is used for chimneys that only have damage at the top. 

The second type is a total chimney rebuild that involves replacing the outside brick and the crown. It is recommended when there’s extensive damage.

 

The Advantages of Rebuilding Chimneys

There are many advantages when you have your chimney rebuilt. For one, it can help prevent leaks that can be costly. Another thing is that any structural issues may be addressed immediately before it becomes a huge problem. Also, chimney rebuilding can help reduce the risk of house fires. 

 

Conclusion

Chimney rebuilding may sound intimidating at first, but now that you know the basics about it, you will be more willing to do it for the sake of your property. 

Time for a chimney rebuild! Red Robin Masonry offers chimney repair services in Markham, Mississauga, Scarborough, Thornhill, and Toronto, ON. Our chimney repairs are done in compliance with current building and safety codes. Request a quote today!

Choosing the Most Compatible Kind of Chimney for Your House

When thinking about necessary inclusions in a home, a chimney might not be the first thing that comes to mind. However, they can actually be really helpful features to add to a home, especially when it comes to colder countries like Canada.

 

The primary purpose of a chimney is to remove any harmful fumes from the smoke that furnaces and stoves usually produce while turned on. It’s pretty good to constantly use such heaters to make some hot food and keep every occupant in the home warm during freezing weather. 

 

An enclosed space can make the fire burn for a shorter period than it usually would with some draft. Chimneys help provide that very air that will help keep the fire you have burning. That way, you can cozy up to the fireplace a little longer. 

 

However, unbeknownst to some homeowners, there are different chimney types. They contrast a lot in shape, style and intentions in design. Here are three distinct kinds of chimneys that you may find helpful to have in a regular residential property.

 

Masonry Chimneys

 

A masonry chimney roughly refers to the classic chimney depicted in animations and media, where Santa Claus usually slides down sneakily to place some presents. It might not look as comfortable, though, considering the materials a masonry chimney is made of. It can range from poured stone, mixed concrete, solid bricks and cut blocks. 

 

Usually used in conjunction with an open fireplace more than anything, a masonry chimney is suitable for directing the smoke from burning wood away from the living room. The bottom half of it also looks quite charming while being completely durable due to its materials, making it a staple to add to the home. 

 

Factory-Built Chimneys

 

Factory-built chimneys, also commonly known as prefabricated chimneys, are also a runner-up in the kind of chimney you may consider for your home. They’re most recognizable as the toppers of some factories, but there’s a fine selection of contemporary designs that homeowners can choose from and attach to their fireplace.

 

The appeal that factory-built chimneys have is that they provide excellent insulation and double-walling thanks to the sheet metal they’re made out of. They’re much easier to maintain than brick masonry chimney at times but are considerably more fragile and susceptible to any damages if the installation goes wrong. 

 

Stove Chimneys

 

Unlike other masonry chimneys and factory-built chimneys, stove chimneys are a lot more versatile. If you happen to have a wood-burning stove, go and use this type of chimney. Homeowners can choose to attach that same stove chimney to a current chimney to make all the fumes from other avenues of smoke exit the home together.

 

The sight of them can be a little reminiscent of the ambience in a small baking shop or an old medieval tavern. It can be a lovely addition to have that will make your house feel a tad more put together. 

 

Conclusion

 

Knowing these kinds of chimneys might help you make your mind up about what chimney you want to introduce your home to. There isn’t a wrong or right answer as each one holds its own perks and features. 

 

Looking for a masonry company in Toronto? Red Robin Masonry can redo and repair your chimney and fireplaces to help protect your home from snow and severe temperatures. Get a quote today!

4 Signs Your Chimney Is in Dire Need to Be Repointed

While not a task that is done commonly, chimney repointing is a must-do for homeowners that are experiencing problems with the chimney, especially when it comes to issues with its outer parts. If you have never heard of chimney repointing before, it is a process that renews the mortar joints of your chimney, which generally gets decayed or damaged due to the elements. The process involves removing all damaged pointing materials and replacing them with new bonding materials to restore the chimney’s strength and structure. 

That being said, how can you tell if your chimney needs repointing? Here are the signs to look out for:

 

  1. Rusted firebox

While fireboxes are generally safe from any type of moisture, it can still happen. Cracks in the mortar can allow water to seep into the chimney and reach the firebox or even the damper. If you notice that the firebox has started to rust, then the chances are that water has been seeping through the tiny gaps in the cracks of the mortar. 

Note that there can be other causes of a rusted firebox, so it pays to hire a professional to inspect the chimney for the possible causes.

 

  1. Damaged mortar

If you notice that the mortar on your chimney has changed colour, it is a sign that the mortar and bricks are old and need repointing. If the mortar has started to flake or chip off, this can also mean that the mortar has gone brittle and become weak! 

In either case, the signs may point to the fact that the mortar is at risk of water seeping into the chimney. In addition, it also shows that your chimney’s structural integrity is at risk—so be sure to have the chimney repaired immediately if you notice any damage to this particular aspect of your home.

 

  1. Yellowed wallpaper

Any wallpapers around your chimney can start to change colour—particularly to yellow—if the chimney experiences too much moisture. Once again, such moisture may have entered your chimney because of any cracks it may have experienced. 

To fix this problem, call a chimney professional to identify the cause of the moisture, whether it be from cracked mortars or another source that you might not immediately notice. 

 

  1. Large and small cracks

Any cracks on your chimney are signs of trouble, whether it is on the mortar or not. As such, any cracks, whether large or small, should be a red flag that requires immediate attention from a professional. These cracks will allow water to seep into your chimney and damage it, and it can weaken the entire chimney fixture, putting itself and your home at risk of damages. Once again, quickly contact chimney experts to inspect the chimney and have it repointed if necessary!

 

Conclusion

From yellowed wallpaper to flaking mortar, these are all the signs that there is trouble brewing in your chimney and that it needs some repointing to restore its integrity and aesthetics. 

That being said, when working with chimney experts, take the time to research the professionals you are going to work with. Discuss with them the problems you are facing, and what cost you can expect to have the chimney repaired. This way, you will be financially ready to undergo the fix, getting you the repair you need without breaking the bank. 

Red Robin Masonry is a trusted and respected masonry company in Ontario, offering masonry services to keep your home in perfect shape—no matter the weather. If you need chimney repair services, reach out to us today and get your chimney fixed!