Chimney Repair
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Refractory Panel Replacement for Factory-Built Fireplaces
Factory-Built Fireplaces are lined with refractory panels that insulate your wood framing from the heat within your firebox. Refractory panels must be obtained from the manufacturer and aftermarket refractory panels are no longer acceptable per NFPA 211. In order to order refractory panels for your fireplace from the fireplace manufacturer, we will need the make, model and serial number of the fireplace. Don’t worry, If we have been to your home in the past we probably have your make, model, and serial number of your fireplace in our database. We can look it up, and save you the cost of a service call. Below is a before and after photo of refractory panels that have been replaced.
Spark Screens
Spark screens prevent embers from escaping your firebox while burning. Over time, spark screens can deform from exposure to fire. We also install new sparks screens when the old ones no longer overlap in the middle when closed. Below is a before and after photo of spark screens that have been replaced.
Fireplace Smoke Problems?
The chimney crown or chimney wash is the top element of a masonry chimney. Covering and sealing the top of the chimney from the flue liners to the chimney’s edge. A common problem with masonry chimneys is an inadequate crown construction from common mortar mix, which is the same mix used to lay the chimney bricks. This mortar mixture is not designed for years of weather abuse and will result in cracking, chipping, and deterioration, which all allow water to penetrate the chimney. Most sand and mortar mixtures crack almost immediately upon installation because of shrinkage. These cracks and missing pieces can lead to serious water damage in your chimney, making for an expensive repair. Fixing these problems now can save you money later! Chimney crown repairs can be performed less expensively when using CrownSeal. The only other option is to remove the old mortar, and replace it with new. This is a more costly repair as it is more labor intensive. CrownSeal is a premixed, trowel grade, elastomeric coating that forms a flexible waterproof membrane to protect chimney crowns and more.
It dries in about 6 hours and cures in about 24 hours to a natural concrete/mortar appearance. Use on chimney corbels, the tops of masonry and parapet walls, or wherever a flexible waterproof membrane is needed. It can also be used as a bonding mortar to replace badly spalled brick units, or for parging over brick faces that may have spalled, if remaining brick is solid. CrownSeal can be easily colored using standard mortar dye. It remains permanently flexible and carries a 10 year warranty. Please note: Some chimney crowns can not be repaired with Crown Seal. Chimneys missing more than twenty percent of the original crown should have a new crown poured, and then coated with Crown Seal for superior protection. Technical info: Available Sizes: 2 & 5 gallon containers Application Temperatures: 45° – 95° F Application Method: Trowel, 1/4″ square notch trowel and 4″ nylon paint brush Dry Time: 4-6 hours (above 45° F), 24 – 72 hours (below 45° F).Technical info: Available Sizes: 2 & 5 gallon containers
Application Method: Trowel
1/4″ square notch trowel and 4″ nylon paint brush
Dry Time: 4-6 hours (above 45° F), 24 – 72 hours (below 45° F)
Tuckpointing
The process of repairing mortar joints in a brick or stone is called “tuck pointing.” The term comes from the process of tucking mortar into the damaged mortar joint with the point of a trowel called a “pointing trowel.” Tuck pointing is a critical maintenance task and keeps water from entering the brick cavity. If water is allowed to get past the mortar and into the wall, brick failure may occur such as cracking or spalling (popping off of the brick face). Once this occurs, the brick is rendered useless. Failure to fix cracks in your joints can lead to very costly repairs in the long run such is the case in the photo below. The chimney below needs more than tuck-pointing, it needs to be rebuilt. Call today for a free estimate for chimney repair in Big Sky, Bozeman, Gallatin Gateway, Belgrade and Manhattan, Montana. We also service other Montana cities. Call 406-995-3385 to make a convenient appointment, or you may request an appointment.
Crown Seal
The chimney crown or chimney wash is the top element of a masonry chimney. Covering and sealing the top of the chimney from the flue liners to the chimney’s edge. A common problem with masonry chimneys is an inadequate crown construction from common mortar mix, which is the same mix used to lay the chimney bricks. This mortar mixture is not designed for years of weather abuse and will result in cracking, chipping, and deterioration, which all allow water to penetrate the chimney. Most sand and mortar mixtures crack almost immediately upon installation because of shrinkage! These cracks and missing pieces can lead to serious water damage in your chimney, making for an expensive repair. Fixing these problems now can save you money later!
Chimney crown repairs can be performed less expensively when using CrownSeal. The only other option is to remove the old mortar, and replace it with new. This is a more costly repair as it is more labor intensive. CrownSeal is a premixed, trowel grade, elastomeric coating that forms a flexible waterproof membrane to protect chimney crowns and more. It dries in about 6 hours and cures in about 24 hours to a natural concrete/mortar appearance. Use on chimney corbels, the tops of masonry and parapet walls, or wherever a flexible waterproof membrane is needed. It can also be used as a bonding mortar to replace badly spalled brick units, or for parging over brick faces that may have spalled, if remaining brick is solid. CrownSeal can be easily colored using standard mortar dye. It remains permanently flexible and carries a 10 year warranty. Please note: Some chimney crowns can not be repaired with Crown Seal. Chimneys missing more than twenty percent of the original crown should have a new crown poured, and then coated with Crown Seal for superior protection.
Technical info: Available Sizes: 2 & 5 gallon containers
Application Method: Trowel
1/4″ square notch trowel and 4″ nylon paint brush
Dry Time: 4-6 hours (above 45° F), 24 – 72 hours (below 45° F)
If you’ve ever tried getting the soot off from above the fireplace, you know it’s a real pain. When you finish, it’s often quite disappointing because of spots you’ve missed or areas where the stone was porous and the soot used the water as a vehicle to travel deeper into the stone making it more difficult to remove.
We use a pain on and peel off fireplace cleaner that is applied in multiple coats, and peeled off in a sheet. It is painted on, then peeled off. When the coating is peeled off the stone (natural or manufactured), the soot is absorbed into the product leaving your stonework looking new again.
Call today or send us an email with photos of your fireplace. We can send you an estimate for fireplace stone cleaning, or ship the product to your home should you chose to Do it Yourself.
Fireplace Smoke Problems?
Do you have one of those smoking fireplaces or wood stoves that set off fire alarms every time you try start a fire or when the fire is going out? This is a common problem in the Bozeman area. You are not alone. There are several options available to rid you of this issue once and for all! Let the professionals at Big Sky Chimney take a forensic approach in the inspection of your chimney, and solve the smoke problem permanently. Call 406-995-3385 to make a convenient appointment. In cases where the fireplace never previously smoked the home out, we suggest not burning until you get the chimney swept. In southwest Montana, we primarily burn pine and other soft woods. The problem with pine is the excessive creosote buildup. The buildup can occur in a new stove or chimney in less than one season of burning.
