Waterproofing and Weatherproofing
Vista Masonry understands that living in our west coast climate does not come without its share of unique considerations that need to be made concerning the maintenance and longevity of your fireplace and chimney. As part of our dedication to providing you the utmost quality service, Vista Masonry employs only highly trained technicians, each of which are WETT certified (Wood Energy Technology Transfer), who will carry out a comprehensive inspection of your existing chimney and fireplace. Upon completion of each inspection your Vista Masonry technician will give you a detailed report explaining your chimneys current state, repair options and inform you of what steps need to be taken to bring your existing infrastructure up to code.
Chimney Repointing
Is a term described to remove and replace deteriorated mortar joints on the masonry chimney. Typically, we will use diamond blades grinders to cut out all the loose bits of mortar, then we clean out the joints. Following the removal and cleaning process we will mix the appropriate type of mortar then apply it back into the joints, we strike that mortar flush with the brick and then clean any excess mortar off the surrounding bricks. Vista Masonry and Construction Ltd. will do a mortar test to determine the strength of the existing mortar and whether or not the chimney is a suitable candidate for an effective and lang lasting repoint.
Chimney Rebuilds/Restorations
Sometimes the mortar gets so broken down the it loses all structural integrity, once that happens then the only long lasting option for the homeowner is to rebuild the masonry chimney. As the house provides a certain amount of insulation for the chimney, in most cases the chimney is in decent shape below the roofline and only needs to be rebuild from the roof line up. When rebuilding a chimney from the roofline up, Vista Masonry and Construction Ltd. will take the chimney just below the roofline, rebuild the chimney with new bricks, flues, and mortar up to required heights as per building codes. We form and pour reinforced concrete crowns that over hang the brickwork, supply rain pots over flues, replace chimney and roof flashing systems, and apply masonry sealers to all exposed brick as well as the concrete crown. We build our chimneys to last and all chimney rebuild comes with a 20 year warranty that covers labour and materials.
Chimney Waterproofing
If unsealed brick, whether they be concrete or clay, are extremely porous materials and can hold a tremendous amount of water. A single baker brick can absorb and hold approximately 600ml of water, so you can imagine how much water can be absorbed into a chimney with hundreds or even thousands of bricks. That water can transfer through concrete, stucco, and framing materials and into the home which can create rot and mold issues, resulting in significant remediation expenses. Chimney waterproofing can be done by ensuring a proper concrete crown is in place that over hangs the chimney shell, this acts like an umbrella on top of the chimney which sheds water way opposed to running down the chimney shell. Occasionally a chimney will have a solid crown in place but requires a sealer applied to the brickwork, or even stucco. Applying a masonry sealer will stop moisture from absorbing into the brick, blocker stucco and therefore can\'92t transfer into the building envelope.
Firebox Reconstruction
The inside of a fireplace is built with materials called firebrick, which are bonded with a high temperature rated mortar. In time, these materials can break down and should be repaired or replaced. If left in a state of deterioration then creosote can build up in the cracks and joints, which can lead to a chimney fire.
Chimney Eliminations
Vista Masonry and Construction Ltd. is happy to offer chimney elimination and removal services. This is a process where the chimney might be taken down into the attic, or all the way through the home. Whether it is a partial or full elimination, Vista Masonry and Construction Ltd. can handle the demolition, removal of debris, as well as the ceiling, flooring, building envelope, and roof repairs. We understand that chimney removals can be an overwhelming project for many homeowners, however if the chimney is no longer used as a fireplace or to vent any appliances such as an old furnace or stove, it may be a good idea to remove the chimney from the home. Masonry chimneys absorb moisture, especially if they are no longer used, so removing the chimney not only potentially opens up more floor space in the house it eliminates the possibility of the chimney leaking under the roofline and into the building envelope.
Vista Masonry and Construction Ltd. has carpenters on staff to handle and interior repairs that may be required to fill the voids left by the masonry chimney. Inside the home, protection is laid on the floors, furniture, and dust control barriers/methods are used to make the process as clean as possible. We have an experienced roofer on staff that understands roof and flashing systems, this allows us to handle the roof repair in house and with ease.
Scaffolding Systems
Scaffolding and staging systems are required by Worksafe BC when working on chimneys. All scaffolding and staging systems installed by Vista Masonry and Construction Ltd. are set up to meet, and in most cases exceed, Worksafe BC safety standards. A properly build scaffolding system will allow more a safer and more efficient chimney repair project.
Ensure you have your chimney inspected by a WETT Certified Inspector from Vista Masonry
Reasons to Have Your Chimney Inspected By A Vista Masonry chimney inspector:
Wood burning fireplaces, once an integral part of the home heating process, have increasingly begun to be replaced by environmentally savvy homeowners opting for the energy efficiency offered by installing gas or electric inserts. Unfortunately once a wood burning fireplace has been transitioned into a modern amenity the associated chimney is often left without much in the way of maintenance foresight. The primary consequence of this is leaving modern day chimneys dormant, neglected and susceptible to the leakage of moisture into the house through the chimney. This moisture intrusion, if left unchecked, can lead to major and costly repercussions both inside the chimney and inside your home. Vista Masonry’s WETT certified inspectors will check your chimney and fireplace for the following
- Rusted damper assemblies
- Deteriorated metal or masonry firebox assemblies
- Rusted fireplace accessories and glass doors
- Rotting adjacent wood and ruined wall coverings
- Water stained walls and ceiling
- Clogged clean out area
- Deteriorated central heating system
- Stained chimney exterior
- Decayed exterior mortar
- Cracked or deteriorated flue lining system
- Collapsed hearth support
- Tilted or collapsed chimney structure
As home/business owners ourselves, we know that this unseen can be unsettling and that is why Vista Masonry is dedicated to providing you the peace of mind that comes with a professionally constructed chimney that stands the test of time. From the inclusion of rain pots, concrete crowns with overhangs and drip edges to the incorporation of specialized waterproofing agents that are applied to all brickwork you can rest assured Vista Masonry has taken every step to ensure you have a chimney that is impervious to the elements. Each chimney build and restoration Vista Masonry undertakes is guaranteed to meet and exceed all present day building codes and built to last.