Subject: a 15-year old chimney approx. 25-30 ft. high, serving a fireplace and hot water heater. Construction is flue tile center surrounded by concrete block covered with a veneer of natural stone. Every few years, some veneer stones will become lose and fall off. This began when the chimney was about two years old and continues. Fallen stones have been re-cemented by masons. The condition is restricted to the section from the roofline up. Have never lost a stone below roof line. Any ideas as to reasons and solution, hopefully short of a complete rebuild?
thanks
Replies
It all depends on what type of veneer. All the masonry unit I see fall off are due to not presoaking before mudding. In the "old days" masons use to soak the bricks before laying. In Southern Calif. there are masonry caps and bricks falling off because they do not pre-soak.
Look at the remaing veneer, if you see a hairline crack or bigger between the mortar and veneer, that indicates not pre-wetting.
Thanks