Is Your Chimney Leaning?
If you notice that your chimney is leaning, it could be a very troubling discovery. It could indicate serious structural issues, but if you act fast, your local chimney professionals are sure to help. While the severity alters from case to case, there are a few specific causes for issues. Let’s take a look at those and how you can take steps to fix this issue.
Why is my chimney leaning?
Your chimney can start leaning for a couple of reasons. Many of which relate to the chimney foundation and factors related to that. At the same time, chimneys are subject to all sorts of natural wear and tear — from heavy rain to heavy snow, that takes a toll on structures over time.
Below are three of the main reasons you may be noticing leaning.
Chimney material wear and tear
Elements, such as snow, wind, rain, and debris can all cause that aforementioned wear and tear on your chimney. One big concern to look out for is frost heaves. This is when rain finds its way into hairline fractures and freezes as the temperatures drop. This can cause the fractures to expand and contract which deteriorates the overall stability of your structure. Luckily, if these issues are caught early, it can be repaired on the smaller scale (such as filling in the cracks). Other times, these cracks can get out of hand and cause your structure to start leaning.
Footing issues
Footing is a required component of any chimney as they’re being built. High quality concrete is laid as the chimney base. The concrete needs to be of high quality to hold up the heavy structure. While it’s rare as of late, older houses may not have footings. This or low-quality footings could eventually lead to the chimney settling into the ground and leaning away from the house.
It’s also possible that some footings are incorrectly laid. All footings require a certain depth and material grade. Otherwise, cracking may occur. If this happens, the structural stability will lessen and lead to large scale issues. Unfortunately, this issue could occur due to poor building materials or building skills.
Soil issues
While most issues point to the footing or foundation, it may surprise you that soil can be part of the issue too. If you experience excess rain, you may also notice flooding by your home’s foundation. With this, the cement may break down overtime or lead to shifting.
If you are experiencing any of the above issues, it’s best to contact a chimney professional as soon as possible. The quicker the issue is identified, the less likely the repairs will be large scale. Make sure to keep up with all your regular cleaning and inspection appointments to further minimize risk of big issues.
Chimney Services in Hudson Valley, NY
If you still have any questions about problems in your leaning chimney, it may be time to contact us at Hudson Valley Chimney. Our expert team can assist with any general chimney and fireplace maintenance, as well as any repair needs you may encounter. Call Hudson Valley Chimney at (845) 471-1071 or contact us online to schedule an appointment with a certified chimney sweep.
