Hi everyone,
I have looked and looked and cannot find info on the best route, or path, to take when re-mortar entire chimney.
My question is do you start at the top or bottom? Do you do one side first or progress around in a spiral from side to side??
This chimney is COMPLETELY shot. The bricks seems fine but the mortar is dust. I am talking you have to file your fingernail after chipping out the mortar.. heck you don't even need a fingernail! I have never seen mortar this bad, it's like powder. For the life of me I cannot understand how it is holding itself up frankly.
You notice the hole in the side, this adds to my bewilderment of how this thing has not collapsed! I plan to use the hole as a starting point.
As mentioned the mortar is just unbelieveably brittle. I foresee no problem whatsoever about chipping it away. My only question is which direction should I go?
Hypothetically, will 3 sides hold up the chimney? If so maybe I can start with one side and complete one side first. Someone also suggested I work around from side to side from the bottom, thus making it stronger as I get to the top. Another person suggested shoring it up with plywood first.
I really don't know where to start other than fixing the hole.
House built in 1922 in Kansas. I gotta say I cannot explain how it has not been toppled by wind.
This really has me concerned. I know without even asking that it would cost $1000's of dollars to have repaired and this is not an option. I am pretty handy and have the tools.
One concern I have it that if I start at the bottom the weight would be a factor. Or should I start at the hole and work both directions on that single side?
Any help greatly appreciated.
Thanks!
PS I will upload photos from my phone shortly
Shawn
Wichita KS
Chimney near collapse I'm sure
I have looked and looked and cannot find info on the best route, or path, to take when re-mortar entire chimney.
My question is do you start at the top or bottom? Do you do one side first or progress around in a spiral from side to side??
This chimney is COMPLETELY shot. The bricks seems fine but the mortar is dust. I am talking you have to file your fingernail after chipping out the mortar.. heck you don't even need a fingernail! I have never seen mortar this bad, it's like powder. For the life of me I cannot understand how it is holding itself up frankly.
You notice the hole in the side, this adds to my bewilderment of how this thing has not collapsed! I plan to use the hole as a starting point.
As mentioned the mortar is just unbelieveably brittle. I foresee no problem whatsoever about chipping it away. My only question is which direction should I go?
Hypothetically, will 3 sides hold up the chimney? If so maybe I can start with one side and complete one side first. Someone also suggested I work around from side to side from the bottom, thus making it stronger as I get to the top. Another person suggested shoring it up with plywood first.
I really don't know where to start other than fixing the hole.
House built in 1922 in Kansas. I gotta say I cannot explain how it has not been toppled by wind.
This really has me concerned. I know without even asking that it would cost $1000's of dollars to have repaired and this is not an option. I am pretty handy and have the tools.
One concern I have it that if I start at the bottom the weight would be a factor. Or should I start at the hole and work both directions on that single side?
Any help greatly appreciated.
Thanks!
PS I will upload photos from my phone shortly
Shawn
Wichita KS
