Bruce & Chad Ryan's Masonry Construction specializes in chimneys like the old masons used to do. If you'll notice, the next time you are driving around Cincinnati, or any other old town, take a look at the homes that have a solid limestone cap. These chimneys are invariably in better condition than the newer homes of today.
Why? The natural limestone caps that masons used in the "old days" protected the chimney more adequately by not allowing water to get down inside the chimney and freeze. Today's chimneys only have a man-made cement cap on top, and these caps usually crack days after they are put on, or within a year some sort of crack develops.
If you doubt this, check the top part of your chimney and you will see for yourself. The problem arises when water seeps down inside the chimney in the winter months and freezes. It then expands which causes the brick to spaul, chip or separate from the mortar. By replacing your cement cap NOW! (and maybe a course or two of brick if needed) you will be saving the life of your chimney for many years to come.
Why? The natural limestone caps that masons used in the "old days" protected the chimney more adequately by not allowing water to get down inside the chimney and freeze. Today's chimneys only have a man-made cement cap on top, and these caps usually crack days after they are put on, or within a year some sort of crack develops.
If you doubt this, check the top part of your chimney and you will see for yourself. The problem arises when water seeps down inside the chimney in the winter months and freezes. It then expands which causes the brick to spaul, chip or separate from the mortar. By replacing your cement cap NOW! (and maybe a course or two of brick if needed) you will be saving the life of your chimney for many years to come.
Services
Please be assured, I will be your only contact, not a secretary or project estimator. I as the owner, will personally handle all customer communications. Unlike other masonry contractors, I am always on the job, at all times, to ensure the highest level of professionalism. I take great pride in making sure my customers receive quality craftsmanship.
1. Keeps animals, especially raccoons and birds, from setting up home in your chimney or fireplace. 2. Keeps rain and moisture from building up inside chimney. If water gets inside your chimney and then freezes, your chimney will get damaged. 3. Sheds ice and rain from the chimney crown, which is the solid limestone cover on the top of the chimney structure.
People sometimes ask us: What are chimney pots? Chimney pots are, simply put, terra cotta (ceramic) pots that sit atop a chimney. Chimney pots can be round, square, octagonal, or rectangular, but in all cases, they are open at the bottom, where they attach to the chimney and open or vented at the top.
Does your brick look like this? If it does, you are looking at what is referred to as "rust jacking" in the masonry industry. Prior to 1990 it was not building code to use a primed steel lintel over the window and door openings. The finished product looks great. Sometimes it is difficult to match the existing brick like we did on this job.
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