As a Home Inspector, I run into a lot of components and systems around the house that are just in need of a little tender lovin' and care and really aren't that big of a deal. There's so many Inspectors out there that make mountains out of mole hills. I've always believed that a little TLC can bring things back to their original luster with just a right state of mind, a pair of good, quality leather work gloves, and a small can of elbow grease.
Take for instance this chimney - 
Some routine maintenance and perhaps a few beads of sweat on the brow, will bring the few, minor imperfections on this chimney back to life and in good working order so you can stoke up the fireplace to keep you & family warm on those cold, blustery winter days in no time. There's absolutely no reason to raise alarm, freak out, and/or scare anybody. There's also no reason to hire an expensive contractor for such an easy, routine homeowner task.
Lets touch base on the few, small issues so you can check them off your c
himney honey-do list.
First, notice the small, almost unnoticeable, gap at the flashings. This is a very common occurrence and a regular homeowner maintenance task – nothing a few, gentle squeezes of the caulk gun can't fix. Be sure and use a high quality, low-odor silicone sealant for optimal adhesion. If not properly sealed and adhered, it may allow water to eventually trickle in to the residence.
Next, notice the slight lean the chimney has taken on over the years. Again, a common condition. No worries though, here's a helpful tip to shore it right up and keep your chimney erect for many years to come: Just loop some clothesline around the top portion of the chimney with the other end tied taut to something firm and solid, like the neighbor's gas meter. See, easy-peasy-lemon-squeezy!
I'm sure you also noticed the slightly, loosened bricks at the top and the deteriorated mortar joints. You certainly don't want any brick or mortar debris possibly falling on your shingles causing depressions or dimples. BTW, this is probably one of the more common chimney conditions. Bring back those bricks and joints to their original splendor with a little pail of ready-mix mortar and some simple tuck-pointing.
Your Pinterest friends will be so amazed at your before and after pics!
So you see, there's no need to ever fret. A right state of mind, combined with a little TLC, is all that's ever needed to tackle those simple projects quickly. Next time, we'll show you how to save a bunch of money by sealing those tiny, hairline cracks in the foundation with a can of spray foam sealant instead of hiring an expensive foundation contractor!
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