Masonry Chimney Repair in Salem, OR: Is Your Chimney Ready for the Next Big Downpour?
Why is Pacific Northwest Moisture the Secret Enemy of Your Home’s Brickwork? The homes around the Willamette Valley certainly have a certain historic elegance. Structural brickwork is the defining feature of the local architectural character, whether you're in a classic 1960s house that backs up to Bush's Pasture Park or in a restored home in the Court-Chemeketa district. But there is a creeping, persistent enemy of these classic places, the relentless and persistent moisture of our beautiful Pacific Northwest climate. The brick chimney appears very sturdy and is really very porous, constantly absorbing water from the atmosphere. As winter systems come through, that moisture goes through a destructive cycle, which can lead to problems throughout your fireplace. The Masonry Institute of America reports that water penetration is the number one cause of damage to brick walls and structures on the outside of buildings; it can cause damage to external brick structures up to te...