|
FAQ
Masonry FAQ
- What
kind of masonry work does Mr Roof do?
- We specialize in chimney repair and maintenance.
Primarily, we repair the tops of chimney (crown) due to
cracking and provide waterproofing?
-
What is the most common masonry problem on the typical home?
- Hands down it is the chimney and specifically it is
the top cement portion of the chimney, known as the
crown.
- What is a chimney
crown?
- A chimney crown is the top flat part of the chimney
covered with cement. The crown is usually sloped to shed
water. It protects and holds together the top of the
chimney.
- Why is the crown
so important?
- The crown defends against water entering the chimney
cavity. Once water has entered the chimney cavity,
typically through cracks in the crown, it will do damage
to the chimney and potentially the interior of your
home.
-
What type of damage results from a cracked crown?
- When water enters the chimney in weather above
freezing, it eventually breaks down the mortar and
causes chimney damage. In winter, the freeze thaw effect
can crack the chimney itself. Water seeping into the
chimney cavity eventually will come into interior spaces
of your home adding to the damage. Avoidable chimney
damage can result in very expensive repairs.
-
Why not just add more cement to a cracked crown?
- This would be the same as adding more cement over a
cracked sidewalk. The crack will reappear quickly. Mr
Roof uses a special flexible crown compound that will
not crack.
-
What does Mr Roof use to repair cracked crowns?
- Mr Roof uses Crown Seal, a product developed
specifically for crown repair. Crown Seal remains
flexible indefinitely and will not crack.
- Why do chimney
crowns crack?
- Cement is not very flexible. Expansion and
contraction of the masonry is one reason for cracking.
As well, like a cement sidewalk, very small cracks often
develop during initial curing. Small cracks become large
cracks over time.
-
What exactly is considered a masonry chimney?
- Any chimney made of masonry materials such as brick,
stucco, stone, or block. Masonry is very porous and
needs to be waterproofed.
- Why do
chimneys need to be waterproofed?
- Masonry is very porous. Water will leach into the
masonry and break down the mortar holding together the
chimney. Chimneys take weather abuse from all four sides
and therefore are prone to problems. One application of
our waterproofing will last for 10 years.
- Is the
waterproofing silicone?
- NO. Silicone simply coats the chimney and in some
cases does more damage by holding moisture in. Our
waterproofing is siloxane. Siloxane penetrates deep into
the masonry, allows the masonry to breath, but protects
against water infiltration.
-
Will waterproofing change the look of my chimney?
- NO. Our waterproofing is clear and will not change
the look of your chimney.
- How long
will the crown repair take?
- Typically a few hours, depending on the size of the
chimney.
-
Is there an advantage to doing the crown repair with a new
roof, windows, or siding?
- Yes. Special discounts apply if we are on site doing
other work.
- How do
I know if I need a crown repair?
- Our inspector will do a free inspection. We’d be
glad to take a photo and show you if in fact there is
damage. A little maintenance now can save you a lot of
money in the future.
|
|
|
|