Tips For Historical Chimney Repairs

Like most of New England, New Jersey is home to numerous historical residences, some of which date back to the early 17th century, nearly 150 years before becoming the third state to join the union in 1787. Many of these historical homes are still standing today, including the Nothnagle Log House (1638), the Andrews-Bartlett Homestead (1699), and the Colts Neck farmhouse (1700). The key to these historical residences living through history is the careful and skilled maintenance and repairs that preserve their original masonry chimney structures. Even if you don’t live in the oldest home in New Jersey, here are some Approved Industries tips for making repairs to older and historical chimneys.

Chimney Inspection

Before any maintenance or repair work begins, a thorough interior and exterior inspection is necessary to evaluate the chimney’s condition. A video imaging system is also vital for identifying underlying issues, like issues with the flue liner, that could be overlooked in a standard visual examination. This often requires the skills of a chimney sweep with historical masonry experience and the specific materials used in older homes in the region, such as clay liners and corbeled brick smoke chambers.

Chimney Crown Repair

The chimney crown is another vulnerable area, particularly in older structures. Cracks or deterioration in the crown allow water to penetrate the interior masonry, leading to significant damage. EverCrown® is an elastomeric sealant by Approved Industries, ideal for repairing or sealing the crown with a flexible, waterproof coating.

Repairing/Replacing Damaged Bricks

While repairing or replacing damaged bricks is essential for structural integrity, it can be a sensitive issue with some owners of historical residences, especially when they want to preserve as much of the original detail as possible. Finding salvaged bricks that match the original ones’ size, color, and texture is ideal for maintaining historical accuracy. New bricks that closely replicate the historical ones should be sourced when salvaged bricks are unavailable.

Brick Repointing

Repointing (repairing mortar joints) is also vital to restoring the chimney’s strength; traditional methods, such as using only hand tools, help preserve the authentic appearance.

Chimney Relining

A functional flue liner is essential for safety, preventing heat and gases from escaping into the home and protecting the masonry from corrosive byproducts of combustion. However, some historical chimneys lack a proper flue liner, or an existing liner may be severely compromised. Installing a cast-in-place liner like our Thermocrete® system is often ideal for preserving older or historic chimneys. This spray-on coating creates a smooth, durable, insulated liner within the existing structure without significantly altering the chimney’s exterior appearance.

Smoke Chamber Parging

Many older homes feature smoke chambers with corbelled brickwork, creating a stepped interior surface. This uneven surface can accumulate significant amounts of creosote and soot, increasing the risk of chimney fires and impeding proper drafting. Parging the smoke chamber smooth with a suitable material is essential. Smoketite is a professional spray-on, highly insulating ceramic coating that seals and smooths the smoke chamber walls. Applying this ceramic coating to smoke chambers can significantly improve the chimney’s performance and safety while preserving the integrity of the surrounding masonry.

Professional Ceramic Coatings for Historical Chimney Repairs

Are you a skilled chimney professional repairing older and historical chimneys? Become an Approved Industries certified installer and get exclusive access to our cutting-edge ceramic coatings and thermal protective systems for historical chimney repairs. Contact us today!