Camden County, New Jersey
Reading Cracks in Chimney Masonry in Haddonfield, NJ
About six in ten Haddonfield homes were built before 1950. Cracks in old chimney masonry range from harmless to urgent. The pattern gives clues, and an inspection decides.
Haddonfield, in Camden County, has some of the oldest housing in this guide. The Census finds about 59% of homes built before 1950 and a median build year of 1939 or earlier. About 81% are detached houses, 83% of occupied homes are owner-occupied, and the ACS median home value is about $755,000.
In houses of this age, cracks in chimney brick and mortar are common, and the useful question is whether a crack is cosmetic or a sign of movement.
A second question comes with a house you have just bought: is it safe to use the fireplace? The answer depends on the whole system. A clean-looking firebox says little about the throat, smoke chamber and flue above it, which is why the flue needs inspecting too.
Learn
Cracks in chimney masonry, read by pattern
| What you see | More likely meaning | Next step |
|---|---|---|
| Fine crack in an outer joint | Aging, shrinkage | Have it assessed; photograph and re-check; repoint as advised |
| Stair-step crack | Settlement or movement | Assessment |
| Wide crack through brick | Stress or water damage | Assessment soon |
| Gap between chimney and house | Chimney moving away from house | Assessment promptly |
| Leaning stack | Structural movement | Prompt assessment |
The same crack can mean different things on different chimneys, so a record helps: photograph it, note the date and look again in a few weeks. Our guide to when a chimney leans or cracks covers the signs in detail, and repointing versus rebuilding covers what repair looks like.
Symptoms
| Symptom | Possible cause | Next step |
|---|---|---|
| Cracks that appear after a storm or work nearby | Movement | Assessment |
| Gap opening between chimney and wall | Separation | Prompt assessment |
| Mortar falling out | Joint failure | Repointing |
| Fireplace never used since purchase | Unknown flue condition | Inspect first |
New owners
A fireplace in a house you have just bought
Do not assume it works because it exists. Ask for any records, and have the flue inspected before the first fire. A deeper inspection level is often chosen when a property changes hands, and the standard describes it as including more than a visual check of the visible parts. See chimney inspection when buying or selling.
Housing profile
What the housing mix means in Haddonfield
With about six in ten homes predating 1950 and most of them detached, chimneys here may include older masonry that has been repaired before, though the Census cannot say which. The pattern of a crack, more than its mere presence, separates a cosmetic line from movement.
What we look at
Reading a crack
Hairline cracks in mortar
Common in old masonry. Whether one is cosmetic depends on where it is and what it is in, so ask for an assessment.
Stair-step cracks
Following mortar lines in a diagonal. They often indicate movement.
Wide or growing cracks
A crack you can slide a coin into, or one that has widened, needs a prompt look.
Horizontal cracks or a lean
Can indicate the stack is shifting. See an expert before further use.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
Is a crack in my chimney an emergency?
Not usually an emergency, but no crack should be assumed harmless from its width alone. Wide, growing, horizontal or leaning cracks, or any crack inside the flue or firebox, should be assessed promptly, and the fireplace not used until it has been.
Can cracks be repaired?
Cosmetic ones can be repointed. Structural ones need the cause addressed.
Should I photograph it?
Yes. A dated photo shows whether it has changed.
Service areas
Other areas we serve
Chimney Academy
Guides that go with this page
Questions about your chimney in Haddonfield?
Call us, or send a scheduling request. We will contact you to confirm. Your appointment is not confirmed until we do.