Masonry Repairs for Chimneys: What Homeowners Need to Know Over time, chimneys take a beating from the elements. Rain, snow, heat, and freezing temperatures all work together to slowly break down the masonry. If left unaddressed, small issues can turn into major structural problems. At Dan’s Chimney Service, we specialize in identifying and repairing all types of chimney masonry damage throughout Chester, Chesterfield, Richmond, and surrounding areas. Below are the most commo

Chimney Crown Repair in Chester, VA: The First Line of Defense Against Water Damage When most homeowners think about their chimney, they think about the cap or what’s inside the flue. But the real first line of defense against water damage isn’t the cap — it’s the chimney crown. And when that crown fails (which it almost always does), it opens the door to some of the most expensive chimney and home repairs we see. What Is a Chimney Crown? The chimney crown is the top surface

What Is a Chimney Chase Cover, And Why It’s One of the Most Common Leak Problems Not All Chimneys Are Brick, And That Matters When most people think of a chimney, they picture a brick-and-mortar structure. But a large number of homes, especially in areas like Chester, Chesterfield, Richmond, and surrounding communities, actually have what’s called a chimney chase. A chimney chase is essentially a framed structure built just like the rest of your house: Wood framing Plywood

Storm Damage to a Chimney: What to Check After Severe Weather After strong thunderstorms, high winds, or heavy rain, chimneys are one of the parts of a home that can quietly suffer damage. Because chimneys extend above the roofline, they take the full force of wind, driving rain, and falling debris during storms. Even if everything looks fine from the ground, storm damage can sometimes lead to chimney leaks or masonry deterioration that shows up later. Homeowners throughout C

Why Are My Chimney Bricks Flaking or Falling Apart? Many homeowners in Chester and the surrounding Central Virginia area notice pieces of brick or small chips of masonry on the roof, on the ground near the chimney, or even in the yard. When this happens, the most common cause is a condition called spalling brick. Spalling occurs when moisture gets absorbed into the masonry and begins breaking the brick apart from the inside. Over time, the outer face of the brick starts to fl

Why Chimneys Leak: The Warning Signs Most Homeowners Miss One of the most common calls we get at Dan’s Chimney Service is from homeowners who say, “My chimney is leaking.” What many people don’t realize is that by the time water is showing up inside the house, the chimney has usually been holding moisture for a long time. Water is the #1 cause of chimney deterioration, and there are several warning signs homeowners can look for before it turns into an expensive repair. Dark S

Most homeowners think about their chimney in the fall. That’s when the first cold night hits, someone lights a fire, and suddenly they start wondering: “Should I have had this inspected?” The reality is, late winter and spring is actually one of the best times of year to schedule a chimney inspection and chimney sweep (often called chimney cleaning). If you live in Chester, Richmond, Midlothian, Henrico, Glen Allen, Short Pump, Bon Air, Mechanicsville, North Chesterfield, or

The Hidden Dangers: How Water Can Wreak Havoc on Your Chimney in Central Virginia As spring showers give way to summer sun in Central...

We have experienced a very wet winter here in central Virginia, and with spring right around the corner this wet weather is likely to...