Everybody loves a warm, crackling fire in an old fireplace on a cold night.  But an aging and worn-out fireplace is not only an eyesore, but it can also be a dangerous fire hazard and potentially deadly.  

Common Problems

Cracked Chimney Liner―Today’s chimneys usually have liners made of steel but older ones can have clay or ceramic chimney liners that can become cracked and damaged over time.

Creosote Build-up―Creosote is the nasty residue that’s left behind in your flue when you burn fossil fuels.  When it builds up, it is extremely dangerous because it can ignite from the heat and cause a chimney fire.  Over time, the build-up causes your flue to essentially be smaller and smaller until airflow because compromised and restricted.  This means that while some air goes up through your chimney, what can’t flow easily up and out will come back down into your home and bring with it deadly carbon monoxide.  

Damaged Brickwork―Bricks are extremely durable and may last hundreds of years but mortar does not.  Crumbling mortar can be repaired without removing the entire fireplace or chimney but if it is left unnoticed and in disrepair, it could potentially lead to a collapse.  

Obstruction―If you’re experiencing smoke backing up into your home, it could be because of something as simple as a bird’s nest or something else that made its way into your chimney, but this simple problem could be deadly because it could cause carbon monoxide poisoning or fire.  

Damper Stuck Closed―Sometimes people may not realize that the damper has been closed and is causing smoke to come in but dampers can also get stuck in the closed position due to rust or damage which means smoke won’t go up and out the chimney.

Fireplace Restoration

In most cases, fireplaces can be restored without having to do a complete and expensive tear-down and replacement of the fireplace and chimney.  

A cracked flue can usually be fixed easily by inserting a steel chimney liner in the old flue.  If the restoration includes brickwork, your fireplace or chimney may be restored with a process called tuckpointing.  

Tuckpointing is a process that involves removing the old, deteriorating mortar and replacing it with a mortar that is similar in color to the brick.  Then mortar that is closer in color to the existing mortar is applied, giving the brickwork a straight, even line.  Tuckpointing is strong, water-resistant, and can extend the life of the fireplace or chimney.  It is a corrective and preventative procedure that can save a lot of money over replacement and have you enjoying a cozy fire again in no time. 

Marlon Tuckpointing provides tuckpointing and masonry services to the St. Louis area including complete and spot tuckpointing services as well as chimney repairs, caulking, waterproofing, brickwork, and repairs to chimney caps and flashing. We pride ourselves on the high quality of our work and the satisfaction of all our clients.  For questions or a free estimate call Marlon Tuckpointing LLC at (314) 496-9067 or visit our website and see some of the beautiful restorations we’ve done using tuckpointing.