Spalled brick replacement on chimneys in Little Haiti
You see which bricks need replacing and which only look marked before approving any work.
- Owned and run locally
- Available for same-day service
- Fully licensed and insured
- Family owned and run
When chimney brick faces start to break
- Corners broken off several bricks
- Cracks running through single bricks
- White deposits around damaged bricks
- Bright hard joints beside broken faces
Jump to
From damaged unit to matched new brick
Brick corners damaged by earlier grinding
Chipped brick edges along the joints can trace back to an earlier repointing done with a grinder. Federal preservation guidance shows how power tools used on thin joints break brick edges and overcut the joints.
Damaged edges make joints look wider and leave thin mortar at the face. Where the damage is cosmetic, the bricks may stay. Where edges have broken away enough to let water in, replacing the unit may be the better answer. We explain which applies to each area.
Repellents wear off and need renewing
A water repellent is not a permanent layer. Brick industry guidance notes that repellents need reapplying over time, and that their performance should be judged on similar brick in similar exposure.
That is part of why we treat a repellent as a later, separate decision rather than a finishing touch on brick replacement. If one is chosen, you should know it becomes a maintenance item. Replacing damaged brick and fixing the water path remain the lasting part of the repair.
Cleaning up and hauling away broken brick
Breaking out damaged units produces broken brick, old mortar and dust. We collect it as the work goes on rather than letting it collect on the roof or in the garden below.
When the job is done, the area around the chimney is swept and the debris is hauled away. Mortar smears on the brick faces are brushed off while soft. Anything moved to give us access is put back, and we point out where the new units are. You should find the site as tidy as it was before we arrived.
Covering an open top during brick work
Most brick replacement leaves the top of the chimney closed. When work near the top means lifting the cap or leaving the flue open, rain and debris could get in.
If the chimney is open when we stop for the day, the opening is covered until we return. The cap goes back once the upper work is done. Worn fixings or a damaged cap are pointed out and priced as their own item. Covering the opening is routine for us, not an extra charge.
What your brick replacement estimate lists
- Sample of the proposed brick match
- Mortar suited to the existing joints
- Solid wall kept around the flue
- Written record of units replaced
Spalling brick repair questions from Little Haiti
Can you replace bricks on the part of the chimney above the roof?
Yes. Access is planned from the roof, with protection for the roof covering. Bricks near the top often take the most water, so we also check the crown and cap above them before replacing units.
What does the free inspection include for damaged brick in Little Haiti?
We look at each face, mark units that have lost their face, cracked through or come loose, and check the joints around them. The crown, cap and flashing above get checked too, since any of them could be feeding water into those bricks.
Is spalled brick near the ground treated differently?
Brick near the ground can stay wet from the soil or from water splashing back. Brick industry guidance lists rising damp among possible causes of masonry distress. We look at drainage and plantings at the base as well as the brick itself.
More Ways to Care for Your Fireplace
- Fireplace Hearth RepairRepair the hearth surface after considering the supporting assembly and fireplace requirements.
- Gas Fireplace InstallationCreate a complete gas fireplace installation plan for the room, appliance and connected systems.
- Chimney Liner Installation and ReliningPlan a compatible chimney liner installation with the existing passage, connections and maintenance access considered together.
- Prefab and Zero-Clearance Fireplace RepairIdentify and repair manufactured fireplace components using the appropriate model information.
- Chimney Leak RepairFind the chimney water entry point and plan a repair before restoring the damaged finish.
We received your request
Our team will contact you to arrange your inspection.
Chimney & Fireplace Brands We Work With
DuraVent 
Olympia Chimney and Venting 
Copperfield Chimney Supply 
Rutland 
Heatilator 
Heat & Glo