Masonry chimneys contain thousands of pounds of brick and mortar that provide an escape for smoke and soot from indoor fireplaces. These structures can last for decades when built correctly, but there are situations where they can become unstable. A leaning chimney is a sign of structural instability, which can lead to serious damage to the house or surrounding structures. At Anglin’s Foundation & Masonry Repair, we provide advanced repairs for leaning chimneys in the greater Atlanta, GA area.
Chimneys Leaning Into the Roof
If you have a chimney that is leaning toward the roof, this is usually due to what is supporting the chimney structure. These chimneys are often built on non-support walls in the house’s interior, resulting in a dangerously unstable structure. Many of these chimneys rely on the roofing and rafters for support, which is not adequate to keep the immense weight stable.
Repairing a chimney that is leaning toward the roof requires adding the necessary supports to stabilize the structure. Once the supports are in place, it can prevent further damage to the chimney, roof and surrounding house structure.
Chimneys Leaning Outward
When a chimney leans or pulls away from the house, this is a very bad sign. The chimney is at risk of complete demolition if it leans too far away from the house or structure. If a chimney is pulling away from the structure, it is often due to erosion or sinking at the chimney’s foundation into soft soil. The further it leans, the more the foundation will sink into soft soil due to the uneven weight.
Repairing a chimney that is leaning outward requires extensive masonry experience. Not only does support need to be added to ensure the stability of the chimney, the foundation may need to be repaired or stabilized. Anglin’s uses our custom-built resistance piers to stabilize chimneys that are pulling away from the house or structure.
Leaning chimneys are an extreme hazard to your home, family and property. If you have a chimney that is leaning in toward the roof or pulling away from the structure, contact us at Anglin’s Foundation & Masonry Repair. We can perform a thorough chimney inspection and recommend the best way to stabilize your chimney to protect your home or building.
Posted on behalf of John Anglin, Anglin’s Foundation & Masonry Repairs
