How to Tell If a Chimney Is Tilted
Examine the seam where the house siding meets an exterior chimney. The chimney has probably started to lean if a gap has appeared. If the gap was filled with mortar, caulk, or foam insulation by previous owners, this merely serves to conceal the issue. Additionally, metal straps that were used to secure the chimney in place may be visible.
In the attic, check to see if your chimney is centered in the framed opening if it runs through the interior of your home. It is leaning if it is rubbing up against the opening on one side or the other.
Another indication that a chimney has settled is leaks caused by loose flashing. To determine whether the chimney is plumb (vertical in two planes), you can also use a long level. Alternatively, check the horizontal mortar joints for level. Advertisement.
Be aware, however, that some chimneys are designed to “tilt”. The brick courses may have been offset if the fireplace is not in the center so that the chimney could exit at the ridge of the roof, giving the house a more symmetrical appearance. The offset may be slight in some cases and appear to be tilting, but as long as the horizontal mortar joints are level, you can be sure that the chimney was constructed in that manner.
I Have a Witches Crook! Should I Be Worried About Structural Issues?
You might worry that having a witches crook puts you at higher risk of developing structural problems, but in most cases, you shouldn’t be concerned. In truth, building a masonry chimney at an angle requires great skill, so it was probably carried out by someone who was an expert in their field. Don’t worry too much; an angled chimney should work just as well as one that is straight.
That being said, this doesn’t mean you shouldn’t keep an eye out for structural flaws that are common in masonry chimneys. While the slanted design won’t hinder anything, water damage, bad weather, animal entry, chimney fires, and more definitely will. As with any fireplace, keep an open eye for damages, and always call in a certified expert to look things over if you have concerns about anything.
At Total Chimney Care, we provide a variety of repair services, including brick replacement, crown repair, and tuckpointing. We’ll get your system in tip-top shape so it can hold up well into the new year, allowing you to relax. To determine which of our services would be best suited to your specific needs, get in touch with us right away.
The History of the Witches Crook
Witches are said to only be able to fly in straight lines, so all they would need to do to enter your house to cast a spell is make a quick descent through your chimney, which is where the term “witch’s brew” came from. However, if there is a slight bend in your chimney, the cackling hag would be stopped in her tracks and forced to flee.
While this is a humorous old wives’ tale, the actual history of the witches crook is much more useful. In the past, homeowners preferred having their fireplace in the middle of the house (to provide more heat), but masons lacked the modern technology that we have today. The structure frequently wouldn’t line up correctly with the peak of the roof, which was the typical look for homes back then because they had to make a rough guess as to where to start.
Adjustments would need to be made if they were slightly off, and that’s where the witches crook comes in. They would build the bricks at an angle once they reached the attic (where these flaws could be easily concealed), and when they reached the roof’s peak, they would simply extend the chimney straight once more. It was still aesthetically pleasing from the outside, and nobody noticed. Clever, huh?