Chimney brick replacement with matched mortar in Port Tampa

What white deposits on the chimney tell you

Efflorescence is the white bloom that salts leave on brick. The Brick Industry Association says it takes three things together, namely salts that can dissolve, water that stays on them long enough to dissolve them, and a route through the masonry that carries the solution out to the face.

Efflorescence can usually be removed by dry brushing, and BIA advises against washing it off except in warm, dry weather, since the extra water can bring more salts out. More important than removing it is asking why it keeps coming back, because persistent efflorescence points to water still getting in.

We note where the deposits sit and trace them back toward the source during the inspection.

Preparing the opening for a new brick

Once the old brick and its mortar are out, the opening has to be cleaned of dust and loose material so the new mortar can bond. Where the brick belongs to an outer wythe with a cavity behind it, BIA warns against letting debris drop into that cavity, because it blocks the drainage.

Chimneys are built in different ways, and some brick is a facing over another structure. We identify how your chimney is built before opening it up, so the repair suits its construction.

A clean, sound opening is what lets the new brick become part of the chimney instead of a plug sitting in a hole.

Removing ivy from a brick chimney

The Brick Industry Association explains that ivy works its shoots into gaps in the mortar and brings moisture in with them. BIA recommends cutting the vines carefully rather than pulling them away, since pulling can damage the brickwork.

BIA also suggests leaving the shoots that remain attached until they dry and shrivel, then brushing them off with a stiff fiber brush rather than using chemicals or acids.

Once the growth is off, we can see the condition of the bricks and joints underneath and explain what needs repair.

Where ivy has grown for a long time, BIA notes that joints may need repointing if the mortar cracks or crumbles as the growth comes off.

Details that help before the brick inspection

Tell us where you have seen damage, such as one face of the chimney, the top courses or the roofline, and whether pieces have fallen. Mention any earlier repairs, coatings or paint you know about, and whether the fireplace is still in use.

If you have noticed white deposits, damp patches or water inside near the chimney, say so. These details help us look in the right places during the free inspection.