You do not need to climb on the roof to spot the early signs of chimney trouble. Some show from the yard, and some show inside the house. Here is what to look for.

From the yard

• Crumbling or missing mortar between the bricks.
• Flaking or broken brick faces.
• White powder on the brick. It is called efflorescence and means moisture is moving through the masonry.
• A chimney that leans or has gaps at the top.
• A cracked crown or a rusted, missing cap.
• Rusted or lifted flashing where the chimney meets the roof.

From inside the house

• Water stains on the ceiling or walls near the chimney.
• Smoke coming into the room, or a strong smell of soot, especially in humid weather.
• Chunks of tile or mortar in the firebox.
• Wallpaper or paint peeling near the fireplace.

What to do

If you notice any of these, do not use the fireplace until someone has looked at it. Small problems are cheaper to fix than big ones, and water damage in particular tends to get worse each winter. Call us at (224) 271-0137 and tell us what you see, or read about chimney repair and flashing and waterproofing.