Mount Dora was founded in 1880 on Lake Dora; 19.7% of homes predate 1970, many in the Mount Dora Historic District, and 39.1% date from 2000 or later. Those numbers explain most of the repair calls.
Damage and the repair it usually calls for
| What you see | What it usually means | Typical repair |
|---|---|---|
| Sandy, recessed or missing mortar | Joints eroded by years of water | repointing worn joints of the affected joints |
| Brick faces flaking or popping off | Water in the brick, sometimes behind hard mortar | Replacing damaged brick; brick and mortar repair |
| Cracks across the top of the chimney | A crown that no longer sheds water | crown repair |
| Loose brick above the roof | Top courses that have lost their bond | Relaying the top, or a partial or full rebuild |
| Rust, soft siding or loose trim on a chase | Water at the top of a framed chase | factory-built chimney and chase repair |
Repair in Mount Dora, house by house
Historic brick chimneys need mortar suited to older brick and repairs that keep their look. Newer homes mostly need chase covers and trim.
Before visible exterior work
The City of Mount Dora has a designated historic district; changes visible from the street, such as rebuilding a chimney top or changing a cap, may need review.
Why chimney brick and mortar deteriorate
Masonry wears out mostly because of water. Rain soaks into a cracked crown or open joints, stays in the brick for days, and carries salts to the surface as white efflorescence. Over years the joints erode and brick faces loosen. Mortar that is harder than the brick makes it worse, because the brick, not the joint, then takes the stress.
The National Park Service’s repointing guidance is to use mortar softer and more vapor-permeable than the brick and no harder than the original (NPS Preservation Brief 2). Storms add impact damage from wind and debris; see chimney damage after a storm.
Storm damage: repair or rebuild?
After a hurricane or tropical storm, most chimney damage is at the top: a shifted cap, cracked crown, lifted flashing or loose courses above the roof. That usually means repair, not a rebuild. A full rebuild is for chimneys whose structure was cracked through or knocked out of line, which is uncommon.
If the damage came from a named storm, an inspection after the storm records what changed before anything is repaired, which also helps if you plan to talk to your insurer. For what to look for first, see storm-damaged chimneys.
When the problem is water, not damage
- Stains, drips or water in the firebox: service for a leaking chimney in Mount Dora
- Cracked, crumbling or loose masonry, or a damaged chase: repair, on this page
- Unsure what you’re looking at: a chimney inspection in Mount Dora
Repairs around Mount Dora
- Anywhere in Mount Dora: mention whether the chimney is brick or a framed chase
- Nearby: Eustis chimney repair options, chimney repair for Tavares homes and masonry and chimney repair in Apopka
- Everything else for the house: services for homes in Mount Dora
Related repairs that often come up: flue liner repair.
More detail: repair options for masonry and prefab chimneys, plus why chimney brick crumbles.
References (2)
Every Mount Dora figure above, with its source.
