October is known for warm days and chilly nights. This gives you the perfect opportunity to cozy up to your home’s fireplace for the season. But, before you light that fire, is your chimney tilting or leaning? If so, you will want to first call your local foundation expert.
Leaning Chimneys: Why They Are Dangerous
A leaning chimney not only presents as a problem, but causes other problems within the home’s foundation, the safety of your family/others, and inside the home itself. With it leaning/tilting, there is a chance that the chimney could collapse in on your home or fall onto your neighbors home. A leaning chimney is also a sign of deeper foundation issues. As you inspect your chimney, see if there are cracks between your home and the chimney. If there is, that is an opening for water drainage and insects to get inside. It is important to catch your leaning chimney as soon as you can so as to minimize the damage done to your house
Most common causes of a leaning chimney:
- Your foundation settling
- The expanding and contracting of the soil under your foundation
- Improper water drainage
The chimney on your home is oftentimes the heaviest part of your house. For this reason and many others, this is not a good time to try out your DIY skills. If this fix is incorrectly done, it can cause continued damage on your home’s foundation, wall cracks, leaning/bowed walls, or even foundation cracks. This is a repair that is for trained experts who have the correct tools and amount of experience to repair your home’s chimney quickly and safely.
Why BDB Foundation Repair?
BDB Foundation Repair uses a push pier system that will be able to mechanically transfer the weight of your house (or business) to stable, suitable soils under your home. We use SafeBasements™ Push Piers that are hydraulically pushed into the ground to predetermined depths where those deep, suitable soils are found. These anchors are much less expensive than coring and concrete pier work.
Contact Us
If you find that your chimney is leaning/tilting or have questions concerning your chimney, please contact BDB Foundation Repair for a free foundation repair inspection and estimate. This is a repair that is best to deal with sooner rather than later. When you call, we work out a time to repair your chimney that fits your schedule.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a leaning chimney indicate about your foundation?
A leaning chimney is often a visible sign of foundation movement or settlement. It usually happens when the soil beneath the foundation shifts, expands, or weakens over time. This movement causes the chimney to tilt away from the structure. Addressing it early helps prevent further structural damage.
What are the main causes of a chimney leaning or tilting?
The most common causes include foundation settling, soil expansion and contraction, and poor water drainage around the home. These factors weaken the support beneath the chimney over time. As a result, the chimney begins to shift or separate from the house structure.
Is a leaning chimney dangerous for your home?
Yes, a leaning chimney can pose serious safety risks if left untreated. There is a possibility of it collapsing onto your home or nearby property. It can also create gaps that allow water leaks and pests inside. These issues can lead to further structural and interior damage.
Can a leaning chimney be fixed without professional help?
Fixing a leaning chimney is not recommended as a DIY project. The chimney is one of the heaviest parts of a home and requires specialized tools and techniques. Incorrect repairs can worsen foundation issues and cause additional damage. Professional repair methods ensure long-term stability.
How does a push pier system help repair a leaning chimney?
A push pier system stabilizes the foundation by transferring the structure’s weight to deeper, stable soil layers. Steel piers are hydraulically driven into the ground until they reach strong support. This process helps lift and realign the chimney while preventing further movement. It is a cost-effective and reliable repair solution.
