Spalled and cracked chimney bricks replaced in Fort Lauderdale
The mortar around each new brick is chosen to protect the bricks beside it, not to overpower them.
- Owned and run locally
- Available for same-day service
- Fully licensed and insured
- Family owned and run
Signs of brick damage on chimneys in Fort Lauderdale
- Peeling paint taking brick surface with it
- Earlier replacement bricks failing again
- Damage worst near the chimney top
- Stains inside beside the chimney
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Spalled brick replacement, explained plainly
Soluble salts that push brick faces off
Water moving through masonry carries dissolved salts. Federal preservation guidance explains that when that water dries out below the surface, the salts crystallize inside the brick. The pressure can push the outer face off in flakes or sheets.
The white deposits sometimes seen on brick come from the same process, only at the surface. When crystals form inside instead, the face gives way. We look at where the damage sits and how the wall dries, because the replacement brick will face the same process unless the water is reduced.
Leave loose bricks where they are
A loose brick can look easy to pull out. It may bring others with it, and pulling from a ladder or roof edge risks a fall. Brick industry guidance also warns that pulling vines off a wall can damage the brickwork.
Leave loose units in place and keep the area below clear. Describe what you see when you call. We assess the loose brick during the free inspection and remove it safely as part of the agreed work.
Fresh joints that settle in color over time
New mortar around a replaced brick often looks brighter than the old joints at first. Federal preservation guidance explains that weathered mortar shows more of its sand, and fresh mortar has not weathered yet.
We match to sheltered, less weathered areas of the existing joints, because that is what the new joints will come to resemble. Staining new mortar to force a match is generally not recommended. In most cases, time closes the gap. Knowing that in advance means a slight contrast on the day of the work need not cause concern.
Spalling concentrated on one face
Spalling can gather on a single face of a chimney while the others stay sound. That face may catch more rain, dry more slowly or sit under a failing section of crown or flashing.
We compare the faces to find what sets the damaged one apart. The brick work may concentrate there, while the cause above or beside it is listed as its own repair. Treating both keeps the new units from wearing down the same way. Mention which side you noticed first, because that order helps.
Spalled brick items on a written estimate
- Solid wall kept around the flue
- Separate line for wider repointing
- Overnight cover for an open chimney top
- Debris removal and haul-away
Your chimney brick replacement questions
Why are bricks from an earlier replacement flaking again?
When replacement units fail in the same spot, the cause may not have been fixed. Water may still reach that area, the mortar may be too hard or the brick may not suit the exposure. We look for the cause before replacing them again.
Is there a risk to the bricks next to the ones you remove?
Some, which is why the mortar around a damaged unit is cut carefully and the unit is broken out rather than pried. Brick industry guidance describes this method to protect adjacent brick. We explain how the courses above an opening are protected.
Do you replace the firebrick inside the fireplace too?
Firebrick lining the firebox is a different material and job, handled under firebox repair. Chimney brick replacement covers the exterior masonry. If both need attention, each is priced separately so you can decide.
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Chimney & Fireplace Brands We Work With
DuraVent 
Olympia Chimney and Venting 
Copperfield Chimney Supply 
Rutland 
Heatilator 
Heat & Glo