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The causes of most chimney deterioration fall into four categories: Wear & Tear, Latent Defects, Moisture, and Sudden Occurrence. When a defect is found in a chimney, the origin (cause) is essential to categorize so the homeowner understands the "why" of what occurred. Sometimes damages overlap into more than one category. I created the Four Pathways to Chimney Deterioration for Masonry flue and Prefabricated flues so it would be easier to determine which "bucket" the defect falls into. It’s important to remember that the defect source may not be covered by insurance. A cracked masonry flue tile should not automatically be considered a result of a sudden occurrence like a chimney fire. Other events or situations could have caused it. The chart below shows the Four Pathways to Deterioration categories and whether defects found in the category are insurable. This chart is intended to be a reference only, but in the end, it comes down to the homeowner's policy and what the insurance adjuster determines. Your job is to collect the data (due diligence) so the adjustor can decide.
![]() Cinco de Mayo is a holiday originally celebrating the Mexican army’s victory over France at the Battle of Puebla, where it’s said they were outnumbered 2 to 1. This happened during the Franco-Mexican War on May 5th, 1862. Even though the war eventually continued, resulting in the French occupation of Mexico City, the US began to provide political and military assistance after the Civil War. The French unconditionally surrendered and withdrew. In the United States, Cinco de Mayo was first celebrated in California in 1863 when Mexican miners were so excited when they heard of the defeat, they had an immediate celebration. It took some time, but Cinco de Mayo has evolved into a celebration of Mexican American culture, cuisine, music, and heritage, with events in major cities across the country scheduled. It is celebrated with music, dancing, ceremonies, activities, cuisine, and beer. Happy Cinco de Mayo! From all of us at Estoban
It’s almost summer! It's the perfect time for your Chim-Scan® System to be upgraded, repaired, or cleaned. It’s easy to get an estimate to gather your options. ![]() A new connector system! After 40 years, our cable connectors have become obsolete, and we have no choice but to go with the flow. What does this mean to you?
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AuthorTom Urban has worked in the Chimney and Hearth industry for 45 years. He's been an inventor and manufacturer for 40+ of those years. Archives
March 2025
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