The Experts at Century Chimney Discuss the Effects of Severe Weather and Wind on Chimney Masonry in the Midwest
Industry: Home & Garden
The experts at Ohio’s Century Chimney talk about the effects of hail, wind, and other forms of severe weather on chimney masonry.
Ohio (PRUnderground) July 15th, 2019
Though the Midwest is not as prone to severe weather as other parts of the country, homeowners here are no strangers to high winds, hail, and the occasional tornado. The experts at Century Chimney, a premier provider of chimney repair services across Ohio, are no strangers to chimney masonry damage as the result of severe weather.
A chimney’s position atop the roof – or in some cases, alongside the roof – makes it vulnerable to the effects of severe weather. Though wind and hail are by far the two biggest threats, flying debris and even driving rain can also cause some serious problems.
High Winds
High winds are a problem because they can damage parts of your chimney designed to protect your home, such as the flashing and the chimney cap. Though it is rare for wind alone to damage chimney masonry, the debris it carries certainly can. Large limbs and other bits of debris smashing into the masonry can cause cracks and broken bricks, and once this occurs, high winds can carry pieces of the masonry away, which leaves your chimney and your home vulnerable to water damage. Tornadoes, on the other hand, can destroy homes depending on their strength, so chimney masonry is no match for their destructive power.
Hail and Driving Rain
Many of the severe storms in the Midwest produce hailstones ranging from pea size to softball size, and these can be devastating. According to the National Severe Storms Laboratory, hailstones a centimeter in diameter fall at a rate of nine meters per second, which is enough to cause some serious damage. The larger the hailstone, the faster it falls, and the more momentum it gains as it makes its way toward your chimney masonry. In fact, hail is an even bigger threat than high wind in most situations as it can destroy the exterior of your chimney.
Driving rain can cause chimney masonry to erode, and while this won’t happen due to a single storm, it does get worse over time. Falling rain travels at 17 miles per hour, on average, and that doesn’t even count rain being driven by gale-force winds. As the raindrops hit the chimney masonry, they knock bits of brick and mortar loose, then carry them away. Over time, this can lead to serious erosion. Fortunately, there are products you can use to prevent the erosion of your chimney masonry.
If your chimney or chimney masonry has been damaged by severe weather, contact the experts at Century Chimney for an inspection, quote, and repair. You can reach them by calling 440-201-4324 or emailing them at centurychimney@gmail.com.
About the Company: Century Chimney is a member of the National Chimney Sweep Guild and serves a vast portion of the state of Ohio. The company was founded in 1988 by Gary Spolar, and since that time, it has grown into one of the Midwest’s most respected companies. The chimney sweeps are certified by the Chimney Safety Institute of America, and each member of the Century Chimney team regularly attends workshops, classes, and demonstrations to learn more about chimney and fireplace cleaning, inspection, repair, and installation. For more information please visit https://centurychimney.com/.
