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FAQ
Masonry FAQ
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What kind of masonry work does ABLE do?
- Able started out in the chimney repair business in 1981 and is an expert in chimney repair of all types, however, Able is competent in a whole lot more than just chimney repair. Other services include stucco, brick, block, and stone installation and repair, patio and driveway pavers, waterproofing, basement and foundation repair and installation, historical preservation and maintenance – really anything to do with masonry ,we do it.
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What is the most common masonry problem
on the typical home?
- Hands down it is the chimney and
specifically it is the top cement portion of
the chimney, known as the crown.
- What is a chimney crown?
- A chimney crown is the top flat part of
the chimney covered with cement. The crown
is usually sloped to shed water. It protects
and holds together the top of the chimney.
- Why is the crown so important?
- The crown defends against water entering
the chimney cavity. Once water has entered
the chimney cavity, typically through cracks
in the crown, it will do damage to the
chimney and potentially the interior of your
home.
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What type of damage results from a
cracked crown?
- When water enters the
chimney in weather above freezing, it
eventually breaks down the mortar and causes
chimney damage. In winter, the freeze thaw
effect can crack the chimney itself. Water
seeping into the chimney cavity eventually
will come into interior spaces of your home
adding to the damage. Avoidable chimney
damage can result in very expensive repairs.
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Why not just add more cement to a cracked
crown?
- This would be the same as adding
more cement over a cracked sidewalk. The
crack will reappear quickly. ABLE uses a
special flexible crown compound that will
not crack.
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What does ABLE use to repair
cracked crowns?
- ABLE uses Crown Seal, a
product developed specifically for crown
repair. Crown Seal remains flexible
indefinitely and will not crack.
- Why do
chimney crowns crack?
- Cement is not very
flexible. Expansion and contraction of the
masonry is one reason for cracking. As well,
like a cement sidewalk, very small cracks
often develop during initial curing. Small
cracks become large cracks over time.
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What exactly is considered a masonry
chimney?
- Any chimney made of masonry
materials such as brick, stucco, stone, or
block. Masonry is very porous and needs to
be waterproofed.
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Why do chimneys need to
be waterproofed?
- Masonry is very porous.
Water will leach into the masonry and break
down the mortar holding together the
chimney. Chimneys take weather abuse from
all four sides and therefore are prone to
problems. One application of our
waterproofing will last for 10 years.
- Is
the waterproofing silicone?
- NO. Silicone
simply coats the chimney and in some cases
does more damage by holding moisture in. Our
waterproofing is siloxane. Siloxane
penetrates deep into the masonry, allows the
masonry to breath, but protects against
water infiltration.
-
Will waterproofing
change the look of my chimney?
- NO. Our
waterproofing is clear and will not change
the look of your chimney.
-
How long will
the crown repair take?
- Typically a few hours, depending on
the size of the chimney.
-
Is there an advantage to doing the crown
repair with a new roof, windows, or siding?
- Yes. Special discounts apply if we are on
site doing other work.
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How do I know if I
need a crown repair?
- Our inspector will
do a free inspection. We’d be glad to take a
photo and show you if in fact there is
damage. A little maintenance now can save
you a lot of money in the future.
- What
is a chimney re-line?
- A chimney re-line
is a process of installing a stainless steel
or other alloy piping inside the masonry
cavity. This sometimes becomes necessary
when existing clay flue tiles become damaged
or when appliances such as an high
efficiency furnace or wood burning stove are
employed.
-
My roof leaks around the
chimney, is it the roof or is it the chimney
at fault?
- Since we do both roofing and
chimney repair we can determine which it is.
Our inspector is trained to detect leaks
from roofs and chimneys and our inspections
are free.
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