Homeowners who want to conduct their own chimney repairs and install their own flue liners or other fixtures have been told that carrying out simple jobs should not cost them a lot of money.Mitchell Kuffa Jr, a licensed builder and home inspector, told a reader of thetimesherald.com that small maintenance jobs can be completed for very little expense.
A reader wrote in to ask why pieces of brick were shaling off the top of his chimney and what steps he could take to stop it happening.
Mr Kuffa told him that normally, masonry chimneys are supposed to be "coped" with concrete at the top surface, to allow water and snow to pass over without being absorbed by the bricks.
"Many times, the masons who lay the brick do not have - or forgot to order – concrete for coping and use mortar instead. Mortar works for a while but tends to be more sensitive to the elements," he added.
Mr Kuffa recommended sealing the cracks with roof cement or another waterproof material.
Lon Grossman, a DIY expert and president of Technihouse Inspections, told a reader on hometownlife.com recently that they should not consider using tar to block leaks at the chimney flashing, as the substance will crack and the leaks will continue.