Is Your Chimney Pulling Away from Your House?

Old age and several other circumstances can cause a masonry chimney to begin to lean and pull away from the wall of the house. Hudson Valley Chimney of Poughkeepsie, NY, would like to share an overview of this important topic and look at the best ways to address the problem.

Should you fix or rebuild a leaning chimney?

An inspection by a qualified chimney contractor or chimney company will determine whether the chimney can be made straight and stable again or if it will have to be rebuilt. In many cases, the right repair strategies will solve the problem. Assuming rebuilding isn’t necessary, chimney professionals have several ways to address a chimney that has pulled away from the house.

A common approach for chimneys whose structures are still relatively sound involves the installation of metal support spears beneath the chimney’s base. Also called “helical piles,” these spears extend down into the ground beneath the chimney’s base and connect with solid soil.

Before any work is done, a thorough inspection will tell your contractor what’s happening, why it’s happening and how extensive the problem is. Only then will he or she be able to advise you on the most effective solution.

Why a chimney might dislodge from the wall of the house

A common cause of chimney separation is a problem with the chimney footing, also called the “chimney pad.” When your chimney was built, a footing that should have included steel reinforcing rods was laid. Chimney footings should be at least 12 inches thick and extend at least 6 inches from each side of the chimney. A footing that’s not large enough to hold the massive weight of the chimney can lead to separation. In addition, low-quality materials used to construct the footing can begin to deteriorate and cause the chimney to shift.

Another reason some chimneys lean and separate is expansive soil beneath them. Certain types of soil are more likely to expand and contract when outside temperatures freeze and thaw. This creates a lot of instability beneath the chimney.

How to tell if your chimney has separated from your house

Your own visual inspection is no replacement for an inspection by a qualified chimney technician, but there are a few things you can look for.

• The flashing, which seals the gap between the chimney and roof, is broken or unseated.
• The chimney’s horizontal mortar lines are angled when checked with a leveler.
• The chimney is not centered on its opening in the attic.
• Standing away and looking from different vantage points, you can easily see that the chimney isn’t straight up and down.
• Filler material in gaps between the chimney and house indicate a previous attempt to solve a separation problem.
• Metal straps installed around the chimney indicate the same previous problem.

Make your chimney stable and strong again

Since 1976, Hudson Valley Chimney of New York has helped Poughkeepsie-area homeowners with a wide range of chimney issues, including cases where chimneys pull away from the homes. We’ll inspect your chimney, determine the cause of the problem and advise you on the best way to solve it. Our chimney repair and rebuilding crews can handle any size job and give you a result that’s not only safe but also beautiful.

Speak with a chimney expert today at (845) 471-1071. You can also reach out with our simple contact form.