Most chimneys will last well over 50 years before they need replacing. What causes premature deterioration of chimneys is not the bricks, but the mortar holding together bricks. Less durable than cement or concrete, mortar consists of pulverized sand, water, lime, and cement. Unlike brick, mortar is susceptible to environmental damage over the years. Seasonal temperature changes, rain, snow, and ice causes the expansion and retraction of mortar. Eventually, mortar loses its ability to hold bricks together, becoming crumbly and cracked. If old chimney mortar is not removed and replaced with new mortar, the chimney bricks themselves could start cracking and breaking.
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