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Masonry Tips
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Water Problems
Water Around Your Foundation
Extra rainfall in the spring may cause excess moisture around your home’s foundation. This could lead to water seeping into your basement. One way to help prevent this water dilemma is to install a rain diverter at each of your downspouts. The diverters direct the water away from the house, spreading it over a wider area of ground.
Wet Basement Walls
How do know whether your basement walls are wet due to water seepage or condensation in the air? Try taping a 1 ft. square piece of aluminum foil to the wall with some duct tape. After a couple days inspect the foil.
If the foil side facing the wall is moist, you have water seepage into the basement. Find a masonry sealer like ThoroSeal to waterproof the wall.
If the foil side facing the room is moist, you have condensation and need better air circulation and or a dehumidifier.
Insulation
Heat Loss Through Roof
Remember that heat radiating from bricks melt the snow faster from around your chimney. If you have other melting places on your roof, check the insulation. It may have fallen between your rafters or you might need additional insulation, since you definitely have some heat loss through your roof.
Chimney
Cleanings
Fall is a great time for your annual chimney inspection and cleaning. Call for an expert to clean your chimney if the buildup exceeds ¼ in. Residue left over from last years cozy evening fires can be deadly causing chimney fires, so its better to get rid of that creosote buildup!
Hints to Save Your Money During Cold Weather
- Try to minimize the number of times that you open your doors to the outside weather.
- When not using the chimney, remember to shut the flue.
- Insulate walls and attic areas properly. Batts of insulation added to your attic is an easy do-it yourself project.
Fireplace and Chimney
Before building your first fire of the season, check to see that the damper opens properly and closes tightly. If the "fire clay" used as mortar for the bricks inside the fireplace has fallen out, replace it.
Inspect the flue with a flashlight for heavy soot residue.
If you have a brick or clay tile flue (not a metal flue), an occasional handful of salt tossed on the fire will help remove the soot.
When the soot deposit gets too thick, have the flue professionally cleaned.
Keep the damper closed when fireplace is not in use.
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