Winter is hard for every part of your roof, but your chimney is especially vulnerable to the elements. As temperatures start to climb, melting ice and snow can reveal damage to your masonry that could cause serious problems if they’re not taken care of. At the beginning of spring, it’s important to check for signs of cracks in your masonry or mortar and have a chimney repair expert address any issues immediately.

Cracked Masonry

Bricks are porous, so melting ice or snow can penetrate into the surface, where they quickly refreeze when temperatures drop again. The expanding water can crack even the toughest brick, making the entire structure less stable and susceptible to further damage. While even new masonry can be cracked, older masonry is often more fragile, so those with classic homes should inspect their chimneys on a regular basis. Clearing snow away from the chimney right after a storm can protect the brick, but if you already see cracks, you should call a chimney repair specialist right away.

Damage to Masonry Joints

Even if your bricks make it through the winter unscathed, the mortar between them may not be so lucky. This material often deteriorates quickly in extreme weather, so look for extra gaps between bricks, standing water, or crumbling mortar. In some cases, a chimney repair professional may be able to prevent further damage by tuckpointing the mortar and creating a long-lasting solution.

Since 1977, the masonry repair specialists at Hicon Inc. have been repairing chimneys, porches, and retaining walls throughout the Cincinnati area. If the winter has taken a toll on your brickwork, you can rely on their chimney repair experts to provide the ideal solution at an affordable rate. To schedule an inspection and request a quote, visit their website or call (513) 242-3612. You can also follow their Facebook for more tips and insight.