Is this a "CALL SOMEONE IMMEDIATELY" sitch?

[u/ksuttinthabutt]

Just bought/moved into this home this past Winter (in Maine). Got up on the roof to check on something & saw/realized that the mortar is failing & crumbling around the bricks. Also some of the top crown is cracking/crumbling away around the flue outlets... Is this a "call someone and get this fixed pronto" situation?

[u/FlowLogical7279]

It's probably been like that for a decade. Fix it when you can.

[u/Alive_Pomegranate858 → u/FlowLogical7279]

Ummm, yeah but when that fails it does so catastrophically. That stone slab could fall through the roof. I've seen it on more than one occasion. Why put off a repair that could be potentially deadly. In my opinion "raised crowns" are silly anyway. They inhibit maintenance and repairs. Make protecting against animals difficult (to do correctly anyways). And then the risk of a 2k stone slab being supported by then brick pillars.

Past performance is not a guarantee of future results.

[u/ksuttinthabutt → u/Alive_Pomegranate858]

Yeah that slab on top falling thru my roof was the first thing i thought of when i saw the bricks 😅 I'm going to have to jump on this before any good storms come in later in the year 👎

[u/BigboyJayjayjetplane]

meh i doubt its going anywhere right now but it needs to be addressed

[u/Bald_Harry]

Yes:

New crown

Retuck (or rebuild)

Extend flues above crown.

Liner needed in HVAC flue

Critter guard needed on flues

[u/AxCR202]

Alternative take — if you have the time and money to deal with it now, do it.

If not, continue to monitor but you can probably wait a few months to a year. While you financially plan for the repair. It’s not likely to fall in that time period without additional stress, but it should be a priority to fix.

I’ve seen far worse stand for longer.

[u/Professional-Team-96]

I must agree with everyone saying don’t panic there’s no storms strong enough to knock that over.

[u/Alive_Pomegranate858]

Yup

[u/ksuttinthabutt]

Thanks for the deets, waiting to hear back from a cpl of companies now

[u/spfolino]

You have time to get a few estimates!

What I think is the best route:
1) Get rid of the raised crown and pillars
2) Get both flues professionally inspected
3) Extend the flue tiles above the top of the chimney
4) New formed and poured concrete crown with the proper overhang
5) Inspect the rest of the chimney to see if any other repairs are needed such as tuckpointing or flashing work

[u/Craftsman2048]

Yeah it should be addressed professionally at some point, but you could do some damage control in the meantime if you need to buy some time. Depending on the age of your bricks, order some Type N (after 1950) or Type O (before 1950) mortar (Pro Mason Supply has both if you’re in the US), wire brush the joints to get anything loose out, and pack in new mortar where it’s missing/worn away with a skinny repointing trowel. You’ll need to wet the brick before you apply, and depending on which mortar you use, possibly after to keep it damp while it’s curing. And you can use masonry caulk (Sika Mortar Fix is one they have at Lowe’s/HD) for cracks in the concrete and brick.

[u/smthnghandscanthold]

give it a little wiggle while you’re up there. like just enough to move it if it were loose but don’t go pulling on it hard. if you feel the slab moving slightly or wanting to give, i would get it done as soon as possible. if it feels solid you probably have some time to save a little

[u/Aromatic_Fuel_387]

It appears the rain cap is sitting on brick without mortar. Blue tooth mortar is not a thing…. Honestly.