Original infographic titled “How Fast Can Crumbling Mortar Compromise a Chimney’s Stability?” presented in a portrait layout using a blue and white color palette (#0043AF, #D9E7F6, #2FA3F2) to illustrate the four stages of mortar failure. The first section, “The ‘Sand’ Reversion,” explains how mortar weathers back into sandy dust as binding agents leach out, allowing wind and rain to wash joints out to a depth where a screwdriver can be pushed through with little resistance. The second section, “Loss of Structural Bond,” details how the failure of the cohesive bond leaves the chimney stack relying solely on gravity and friction, making the structure liable to shift or buckle from minor vibrations like passing trucks or strong wind gusts. The third section, “Water Penetration Acceleration,” highlights the specific risk of freeze-thaw cycles in Mars Hill, showing how water enters hairline cracks, freezes, and acts as a wedge that can expand small cracks into gaping holes within a single winter. The final section, “Interior Damage,” warns that crumbling exterior mortar often indicates failing interior joints, creating a safety hazard where heat and dangerous gases can escape into the walls of the home.