Chimneys

Masonry Chimneys easily collapse or fall over in a quake. These chimneys can also crumble, causing damage to objects or people when the pieces crash to the ground.

There are 2 common mitigation options for this problem. The easiest is to place a metal brace around the chimney and then connect it to the trusses of the roof. Masonry chimneys may also be replaced by a wood frame covered by a thin brick veneer. When replacing the chimney just remeber that the height of the new chimney needs to be restricted to 2 ft (60 cm) above the roof line. If possible, patios, children´s play areas, and parking spaces should be located away from the fall line of a chimney too.