CHIMNEY REPAIRS

It’s vital to resolve any issues as quickly as possible. The best way for homeowners to protect themselves from unexpected repairs is to have an annual chimney inspection. It will allow you to uncover minor issues before they become more severe and costly to repair.

Our team of professionals has the experience and training to perform any chimney repair, including masonry repairs, flue liner repairs and replacement, chimney crown repairs, and more. If you suspect a chimney problem, give us a call, and we will conduct a thorough inspection and recommend the best solution for repairing your chimney.

CHIMNEY LINERS

If we discover any deficiency or problem with your liner or tile, we will immediately alert you. We will take several photos to include in the inspection report for documentation. We will make a recommendation on what kind of repair is best, and give an honest, fair estimate to repair. Our Chimney Professionals can install an insulated, stainless steel liner or, in most cases, repair the existing liner or tiles with the Heatshield method.

HeatShield® LINERS

HeatShield® is a Cerfractory® sealant that our technicians use to repair damaged flue liners saving homeowners the cost of chimney relining. Our Chimney Professionals use this resurfacing system to restore chimney liners with cracks and small gaps. For severely damaged liners or unlined chimneys we recommend installing a Stainless Steel Chimney Liner.

Cracks in the flue can be a serious problem. It can allow the combustibles to escape the venting system, exposing your home to the risk of fire or the inhabitants to carbon monoxide poisoning.

Most of the time, flue liner damages go unnoticed until it is discovered during a chimney inspection, or a dangerous problem occurs like a chimney fire or fumes leaking into the living space. Normal wear and tear, improper installation, excessive heat, and gases from combustion can damage the flue liner.

Historically, the only way to fix damaged flue liners was to either break out the clay times and install a new stainless steel liner — an expensive process, however a revolutionary product is making costly chimney liner repairs and costly replacements a thing of the past.

It’s called the HeatShield® Chimney Liner Repair System, and it’s approved for all fuel types. HeatShield® is a Cerfractory® flue sealant that repairs missing tiles, gaps, and cracks to restore an existing flue liner to its original safety and efficiency. It’s the easiest, fastest, and most affordable method for chimney liner repairs.

TUCK POINTING

Tuckpointing, also known as repointing, is the process of removing deteriorated or damaged mortar joints between each brick. The joints are then filled or tucked with mortar. When our experienced professionals complete the repointing, your chimney will be structurally sound and look as good as new.

Moisture and the normal wear and tear of an aging chimney can cause the mortar to deteriorate, leaving gaps between bricks or stones. These gaps are not only unsightly, but they also cause water intrusion which can lead to structural issues. With tuckpointing, we replace the damaged mortar joints with new mortar to restore your chimney to its original condition.

Your chimney needs to maintain its structural integrity to keep your home and family safe. Most masonry chimneys can last for 75 years or more – however the mortar (the bonding material between the bricks) is more likely to deteriorate. Like bricks, mortar is porous and will absorb moisture. Because bricks have a hard, outer shell, it takes longer to deteriorate.

You can tell if your chimney needs tuckpointing by inspecting the exterior brickwork. Cracks, crumbling, or gaps in the joints between bricks where mortar used to be are all indications that you need tuckpointing. You may also notice loose or missing bricks due to decaying mortar.

But all too often, homeowners do not realize there are damaged bricks and mortar until they have a chimney inspection or notice the effects of the deterioration that show up as water leaks inside the home.

The earlier you resolve masonry damage, the easier and less costly it is to repair. In severe cases where the deterioration is extensive, it may require a partial or complete chimney rebuilding.

Tuckpointing offers several benefits:

Prevents more chimney damage – damaged bricks and mortar can cause severe structural damage not only to the chimney but to the roof and side of your home that attaches to the chimney. Tuckpointing improves structural stability and helps prevent a more costly rebuilding of the chimney.
It stops water leaks – moisture that leaks through the gaps in the bricks and mortar can cause extensive damage to the ceiling, attic and other components inside the chimney.
Increases property value – improving the condition and appearance of your chimney also enhances curb appeal, which may increase your property value.

CHASE COVERS

A chase cover is a metal pan on top of a prefab or factory-built type chimney. These covers are usually made of galvanized metal and if not properly installed, can hold rainwater and eventually rust. This will lead to holes in the chase cover that will result in rainwater leaking into the fireplace area. The leaking water will cause extensive damage to the firebox and surrounding frame, ceiling, and attic, costing thousands to repair. Our Certified Chimney Professionals are trained to spot these problems and, in most cases, can prevent future expensive repairs. We offer stainless steel chase covers with welded seams as well as a “cross-break” and drip edge that sheds water off and away from the chimney and flashing. The chase cover can also be powder-coated in a variety of colors. We can provide you with an honest estimate for replacing the chase cover if needed

CHIMNEY CROWN REPAIR

A chimney crown is formed concrete on top of the chimney that seals the chimney’s flue to the outer chimney brick. The crown is sloped and prevents water damage from rain that seeps down into the masonry or into the joint between the masonry and the chimney flue. Over time, the concrete will expand and contract with the change in seasonal temperature, causing it to crack. Simple cracks can lead to possible water damage in several areas, including where the fireplace/chimney meets the ceiling or in the attic around the rafters. Our Certified Chimney Professionals use an elastomeric sealant that forms a flexible waterproof membrane to repair and protect chimney crowns against water intrusion. This repair will provide years of protection and prevent further deterioration of your chimney, saving you money on expensive mortar replacement. In the unlikely event the mortar has deteriorated or cracked beyond repair, the crown will have to be chiseled off and replaced with new concrete.

The primary purpose of the Cement Chimney Crown is to prevent moisture from infiltrating down into the interior brick and mortar structure – and into your home.

The chimney crown is made of cement, and it can weaken over time and develop cracks in the surface requiring repair. When moisture penetrates the crown and gets inside the chimney, it can weaken the interior masonry resulting in more chimney repairs.

Since inspecting the chimney crown requires climbing on top of the roof, most homeowners are unaware there is a problem until they have a chimney inspection or notice water stains on the ceiling and walls near the fireplace. Depending on the extent of the damage, a Chimney Professional will need to either repair or rebuild the crown.

Although the chimney crown has a cement surface, it is not as durable as the brick masonry. Being on top of the chimney, the cement chimney crown is constantly exposed to rain and other weather conditions. This means that it will eventually fall victim to deterioration and develop small hairline cracks. Even though these cracks appear small, they will enlarge over time and result in a costly chimney crown replacement or water damage.

If the damage is not too severe, our technicians can fill in any surface cracks and apply Crown Saver to protect the chimney crown with a flexible, waterproof membrane.