Chimneys are attached to a support wall with mortar or other braces that can not hold the chimney in place if the foundation beneath it settles. This causes your chimney to start pulling away from the home creating a safety hazard.
Residential Services
Chimney Repair
Signs Your Chimney Needs Repair
- Leaning
- Separating
- Sinking
What Causes Chimney Problems?
Improper Chimney Footings/Foundation
A chimneys footing should be at least one foot thick, extend at least six inches beyond the chimney on all side and sit below the frostline. If any one of those is missed by the builder the footings may fail, and unable to properly support your chimney.
Missing Footing/Foundation
Some older homes may have a chimney that was never placed on a footing/foundation. Without these there is no real support for the massive weight of the chimney and will result in leaning, separating, or sinking of the chimney.
Soil Type
Expansive soils, common in MI, such as clay expand when wet and contract when dried out. The expanding wet soil pushes on the chimneys footing/foundation and can cause settlement and when the soil dries it shrinks causing the foundation to drop. Constant shifting can cause damage to the footing/foundation.
Improper Grading and Drainage
Improper grading and drainage cause water to pool creating a constant pressure on the footing/foundation. In warmer weather this causes the soil to expand when wet and contract when dry creating settlement damage. In winter the water can freeze unevenly and push against your foundation causing uneven distribution of pressure. If water drains away too quickly it can cause soil erosion forcing a shift in the footing/foundation.
Chimney Repair Method
Whether your chimney is settling, sinking or tilting if there is a footing or foundation helical piers are the go-to method for stabilization.
Chimney Helical Pier Installation
- Excavate around the foundation footing to expose the area where the piers will be installed.
- Using a specialized drilling rig the pier is then “screwed” into the ground until reaching appropriate load-bearing soils.
- Brackets are then attached to the pier shaft and securely connect to the existing footing/foundation of the chimney.
- If there is no foundation or footing, we will use tube steel. Then place the foundation repair bracket under that. Tube steel provides a solid foundation and can be lifted if necessary to level the chimney.
- The weight of the chimney is then shifted from the unstable soils to the helical piers using hydraulic jacks.
- Excavated soil is then filled back in to cover the helical piers and brackets.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does chimney repair cost?
- When the cause of the chimney’s issues are related to underlying foundation problems, the cost to repair depends on the condition of your current foundation, the size of your house, and the related repairs needed. To get a solid idea of cost, request a free evaluation and estimate.
Do you do any other types of chimney repair?
- The chimney repair work Kent Foundation Solutions does is only related to a foundation issue. If you need your chimney relined, crown and cap replaced, tuckpointing, or related service, please contact a chimney repair specialist.
Request Your Free Estimate
We offer the knowledge, experience, and stability of a large company with foundation services at a price point that is fair and reasonable for homeowners and business owners, because we are homeowners and business owners.