Ready to Build Your Dream Fireplace & Chimney? We Are!

Isn’t its time you start enjoying the beauty, warmth and ambiance of a new masonry fireplace and chimney? Not only can a new masonry construction add charm to gatherings with family and friends – but it can also add value to your home and serve as an additional heat source. What’s your vision? Whatever your style, space and budget, the technicians at Fan Chimney Service & Masonry LLC can work with you to create a fireplace and chimney that you’ll love and enjoy for years to come.

What Fuel Will You Burn?

From wood and pellet to gas, the type of fuel your new construction burns will determine heat output, fuel costs, use-to-use maintenance, and more. Not sure what is best for your home? Our technicians would be more than happy to discuss the options with you, so that you can make an informed and confident decision.

TUCKPOINTING

Tuckpointing Is A Job for The Pros!

Over time, the masonry of your chimney can take quite a beating, inside and outside, especially here in Salem, OR. The inside of your chimney is constantly exposed to high heat and corrosive byproducts, while the outside is consistently fighting off heat, cold and moisture. Although proper construction goes a long way, proper maintenance is crucial to the longevity of your chimney system. Even still, repairs are sometimes needed.

Is your masonry showing signs of brick and joint erosion, cracking, vegetation, crumbling or spalling? Call American Chimney & Masonry! We guarantee you’ll be pleased with the results of our work!

Tuckpoint Work Shouldn’t Be Noticeable

Tuckpointing refers to the delicate process of removing damaged or decaying mortar and replacing it with fresh materials. When it comes to this specific job, the gap between good work and bad work is huge. Tuckpointing requires a lot of knowledge and skill – but in order to last, it also demands the use of appropriate materials, expert tools and professional techniques. The technician must understand the history of masonry and match the materials and techniques used in the original chimney construction — or he could end up doing more harm than good. Tuckpointing should strengthen and refresh your masonry, but when done improperly, it can do quite the opposite.

What Is A Chimney Crown?

Water damaged chimney A mortar crown is a layer of concrete that seals the top of the chimney. The purpose of the crown is to keep water out of the flue – but a quality crown should also be designed to encourage water away from the masonry of the chimney and into the gutter system. Although it certainly isn’t the most ornate part of the home, there are some important design requirements for a good crown – which means installation and repair is a job best left to the experts.

What Causes Chimney Crown Damage?

The crown is pretty consistently bombarded by heat, cold and moisture, which can (especially if the crown is not properly constructed and maintained) cause cracking, crumbling, vegetation growth and gaps. As the crown deteriorates, openings are left for water to enter and wreak havoc on your chimney.

What If the Cracks Are Small?

Even small cracks are a big problem. Why? Cracks of any size will allow water to seep into the masonry, and, as the temperature changes, that water can freeze and expand, making cracks even bigger. Even while the cracks are minimal, the water that is making its way through can seep into the chimney masonry, eroding and degrading the joints, and often making its way into the framing and drywall of a home. We’re particularly susceptible to this issue here in Portland, since we tend to get a great deal of rain.

Depending on the severity of a crown’s damage, American Chimney & Masonry technicians can recommend a repair or restoration method that can bring your crown back to glory.

Crown Construction: A New, Expertly Built Chimney Crown

When a crown is extensively damaged, or if it was poorly designed or constructed to begin with, the best solution is usually to have a new crown built. Not to worry, though — American Chimney & Masonry’s technicians are extensively trained in proper crown design and construction. We build crowns that are made to do their job well and stand the test of time.

We know that the best crown design includes a surface that slopes downward to encourage water away from the flue opening, and edges that extend at least 2-1/2″ beyond the chimney, to keep water from pouring down onto the exterior masonry. If your current crown doesn’t have these features or is a simple flat mortar wash, your chimney isn’t getting optimum protection.

Whether American Chimney & Masonry’s technicians repair a damaged crown with Crown Seal or construct a brand new one, you can expect ample water protection and a freshened, renewed look, too.

Options for Refacing Or Updating A Fireplace

If you’re looking to refresh and renew your fireplace, your options are incredibly broad.

Fan Chimney Service & Masonry LLC techs can update your fireplace with a few simple tweaks, adding a new mantel, a new spark screen or a new set of doors. Or we can completely reimagine your fireplace, adding new materials, fresh designs and a totally new look. It all hinges on what you really want out of your fireplace and what kinds of looks you’re particularly drawn to.

What’s the Big Deal?

The smoke chamber sits above the firebox and helps guide the gases and byproducts into the flue without allowing them to draft back into the living space. In many chimneys, the narrowing of the smoke chamber is achieved with corbels or steps that, brick by brick, lead to the smaller diameter of the flue.

Unfortunately, corbels and steps aren’t ideal and can inhibit proper air flow. Why is air flow so important? Your chimney works via draft — the difference in air pressure between the air outside the chimney and the air inside the flue causes a draft, which pulls the byproducts of combustion up and out of the home. For that to work well, air has to flow easily through the flue. But flat and blunt corbelling steps create resistance and inhibit air flow and draft. When air isn’t flowing easily past the smoke chamber and up through the flue, heat isn’t leaving easily either, which means higher temperatures in the smoke chamber. This can contribute to masonry damage, and damaged masonry can allow heat to access the combustible materials behind the masonry. The result: a serious fire hazard.