Concrete Chimney & Smokestack Service

As with brick, concrete chimneys require routine inspections to ensure smooth operation. Concrete is a popular material for the construction of chimneys and silos. Unlike the defects associated with brick chimneys, concrete structures have created their own problems.

Hairline cracks on industrial chimneys caused by wind movement, or shrinkage cracks originating from construction are to be found in the majority of concrete structures. Rain and snow are drawn through these cracks by capillary action onto the steel reinforcing causing spalling. Concrete is also prone to chloride/carbonation attack from our modern day environmental surroundings. Without a regular inspection the first noticeable signs are sections of loose concrete spalling falling to ground level.

An internal problem which may occur with concrete chimneys is acid attack. This is caused by failure of the acid resisting lining. Gas leaking through open mortar joints or defective refractory lining will condense and erode the internal face of the concrete chimney. Over time this defect will appear on the chimney exterior as rust coloured staining.
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