Chimney repair can be more complicated than it seems, as even damage assessments require inspection. It is possible to carry out a visual inspection of the ground with binoculars.
Since chimney chimney repairs & rebuilding work may involve climbing the roof, homeowners with no experience in masonry should not consider doing this at all. This is not just a cosmetic home improvement job. So you need to pay attention to a professional.
The chimney has three parts – the stack, visible from the outside and usually covered with brick or stone, the chimney most familiar to most fireplace users, how the smoke escapes, and the crown from which the smoke stands above and covers the space between the chimney and chimney.
The crown is prone to cracking due to a constant heat source. This, in turn, can lead to moisture penetration and imperceptible damage to homes and fireplaces.
One solution to this problem is to have masonry replace the crowns with floating crowns. Floating crowns usually last longer because they "float" on top of the pile and are less exposed to heat.
Another common problem with fireplaces is stone, brick, or mortar that is lost due to age and poor condition. Again, a lack of mortar or bricks is a possibility that moisture can enter the chimney and cause internal damage, so homeowners can do the repairs themselves if they think they have masonry skills or can hire a contractor to do it.
Replacing lost mortar and bricks is usually done using a technique called "grade guides" and involves replacing damaged mortar joints with new mortar.
This can be a little tricky as the mortar has to be of the right consistency to work properly and it can be difficult to maneuver safely in your own work environment.
