- MASONRY
REPAIR
- AAA offers a wide range
of masonry services including: bricklaying, tuckpointing, crown repair,
firebox repair, smoke chamber renovation with Chamber Tech, and flashing
repairs. We are able to execute almost any type of masonry work. (See
Firebox Repairs, Chimney
Crowns, Smoke Chambers, and Tuckpointing)
- FLUE
RELINING
- If either a visual inspection
or a CHIM SCAN indicate that your flue or chimney liner is damaged,
then a RELINING is necessary for venting either wood or gas. We also
now know that all gas furnaces and water heaters should be vented through
a LISTED metal liner, especially if used with a High Efficiency furnace.
In fact, current codes in this area require it for all new furnace installations!
Industry experience over the last few decades have conclusively demonstrated
that venting gas appliances into masonry chimneys results in the rapid
break-down of clay tile liners and the eventual destruction of the overall
chimney structure.
- CHIMNEY
CROWNS
- A chimney crown is intended
to protect the chimney below from water damage. Any cracks or deterioration
compromise this protection and will lead to more extensive and
expensive repairs to the chimney, requiring either tearing down and
relaying of bricks and/or tuckpointing. Please also be aware that repaired
chimneys can never look as good as an original, properly maintained
chimney. The following is the best recommended method of replacing a
damaged or missing crown according to the Brick Institute of America
and other masonry authorities.
- FULL
FLOATING CROWN
- After removing the existing
damaged crown, we pour a new, 4-6 inch thick concrete crown. This crown
will be at least 1 inch wider and longer than your chimney stack for
superior water protection and to give your chimney an attractive appearance.
It will be metal and/or fiberglass mesh reinforced to limit future cracking.
It will also be properly separated from both the chimney stack and the
flue tiles to prevent breakage and cracking due to the differential
thermal expansion of these chimney components. If waterproofed following
a short curing period, this crown will carry a full 5-year warranty
against cracking or deterioration.
CROWN REPAIRS
- We will use either a waterproof
coating of a fiberglass reinforced, masonry mix called "Shur-Wall" or
a special rubberized chimney material called "Crown Seal" to your existing
damaged crown, depending on the degree of existing crown deterioration.
Our repair will fill existing cracks and voids, thicken and stabilize
the existing crown, and waterproof the top of your chimney. Our specialized
coatings carries a three year warranty against cracking and deterioration.
- SMOKE
CHAMBER RESTORATION
- We will remove existing
creosote and loose masonry from the Smoke Chamber (area just above damper)
and coat the walls of the chamber with approximately 1 inch of a fireproof,
insulating masonry material called "CHAMBER TECH". This protective coating
will fill voids between bricks, fill cracks and holes within bricks,
insulate the chamber for heating efficiency and safety, leave a smooth
surface for more efficient flow of smoke and gasses, and provide increased
structural strength for the entire chimney structure. The warranty for
this process is 5 YEARS, guaranteeing that the coating will stay intact
and solidly in place.
- FIREBOX
REPAIRS
- If you have loose or damaged
bricks in the back or sides of your firebox, we will remove and replace
them with new bricks, using refractory bricks and mortar. We will also
grind out remaining deteriorated joints and tuckpoint them with refractory
mortar. We warranty our interior bricklaying for 5 YEARS and our tuckpointing
for 1 YEAR.
- CHIMSAVER
WATERPROOFING
- Contrary to popular belief,
bricks and mortar are not naturally "waterproof". A driving wind will
move water through even healthy bricks and mortar. Moisture is a common
starting place for masonry deterioration and can cause more costly chimney
problems. The best way to keep new masonry at its best is to use an
appropriate waterproofing material, such as Chimsaver.
- CHIMNEY
SCANNING
- Our state-of-the-art chimney
video inspection equipment now enables us to detect problems inside
the flue. With the CHIM SCAN system we can spot missing mortar, cracked
tiles and other dangerous problems. a CHIM SCAN is a must for older
chimneys, chimneys with smoking or odor problems, chimneys that haven’t
been scanned recently, and chimneys that have EVER experienced a chimney
fire. If in doubt, have it SCANNED!
- Once your masonry is in
good repair, KEEP IT THAT WAY with CHIMSAVER! Our patented waterproofing
material is breathable, an essential requirement for protecting chimneys
from rain and snow while not trapping water and other vapors inside
the chimney. CHIMSAVER comes with a TEN YEAR WARRANTY! Please, never
use Thompson’s or other inappropriate waterproofing materials on your
chimney! They do more harm than good!
- TUCKPOINTING
- This process includes grinding
out all missing or weakened joints and filling them with "Propoint",
a specialized tuckpointing material. We will attempt to match both the
color and the shape of the existing joints, but we cannot guarantee
an exact match. Tuckpointing carries a one year warranty against deterioration
in the areas worked on, if waterproofed shortly after the repairs are
done. We highly recommend having us waterproof with CHIMSAVER at least
the areas worked on after the repairs are done.
- DRYER
VENT CLEANING
- A clogged or restricted
dryer vent results in dryer repair bills, higher energy costs, longer
drying cycles, moisture damage to walls and ceilings, and even health
problems, including Carbon Monoxide poisoning! We have special equipment
to clean out dryer vents, and Steve Brownrigg is the only Certified
Dryer Exhaust Technician in the Omaha Area!
- CUSTOM
CHIMNEY CAPS
- We’ve expanded our Chimney
Cap selection to include: Stainless Steel, Copper, Custom shapes and
sizes, and caps that solve draft and odor problems. Most have a LIFETIME
warranty.
- CLEANOUT
DOORS
- A cleanout door is required
anytime access to the smoke chamber is so restricted as to prevent thorough
cleaning and inspection. This door provides access to the back of the
smoke chamber through a reusable door made of either fireproof metal
or masonry materials.
- FIREPLACE
RELINING
- The purpose of a chimney
linter is to contain the byproducts of combustion (heat, moisture, creosote,
carbon monoxide, and other dangerous elements) until they are discharged
from your chimney. A cracked liner or a liner with missing mortar between
the joints from the chimney. A cracked liner or a liner with missing
mortar between the joints cannot perform its intended function.
The National Fire Protection Agency states: "If the flue
liner has softened, cracked, or otherwise deteriorated so that it
no longer has the continued ability to contain the products of combustion,
it shall be either removed and replaced, repaired, or relined with
a listed liner system..." (NFPA 211, Sect. 10-9)
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