Chimney brick replacement done unit by unit in Miami Shores
New brick goes in after we have looked for what damaged the old units.
- 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
- Earlier replacement bricks failing again
- Stains inside beside the chimney
- Bright hard joints beside broken faces
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Spalled brick replacement, explained plainly
Mortar that behaves like the existing mortar
Brick industry maintenance guidance asks that the new mortar have physical properties similar to the existing mortar. That way the repaired area moves, absorbs and dries like the wall around it.
We look at the existing joints before choosing the mix. Brick industry guidance on mortar selection, which follows the ASTM classification for masonry mortar, favors the lowest strength that meets the need. We explain the choice so you understand why the mortar suits your chimney rather than simply being the strongest available.
Spalled brick in the top courses
Damage can concentrate in the top courses of a chimney, just below the crown. Those bricks take water whenever the crown cracks, lacks an overhang or loses its seal at the flue.
Replacing top-course bricks without fixing the crown above them invites the same damage again. We check the crown, cap and flue seal whenever the upper courses are spalled. If the top needs work, we explain the sequence, with the crown usually repaired after any loose top courses are dealt with.
White deposits beside flaking brick
White deposits near spalled brick are salts that water dissolved inside the wall and left at the surface as it dried. When they appear beside flaking faces, they show that water is moving through that part of the wall.
We treat them as a clue to the water path, not a separate problem. Finding where the water enters comes before replacing the damaged units. It may be the top, the flashing or open joints, and the new brick should not face the same wetting.
Broken brick at the chimney corners
The corners of a chimney take weather on two sides, and corner bricks can show damage first. Broken corners also let water into the joints on both faces they touch.
Corner units are replaced with care, because they tie two faces together. The replacement brick has to fit the corner detail, and the joints on both sides are pointed full. We explain whether corner damage is local or part of a wider pattern that needs another look. A corner that is replaced well also protects the joints on both sides from water.
The brick replacement items you approve
- New brick buttered and set in place
- Separate lines for crown or flashing work
- Debris removal and haul-away
- Workmanship warranty on agreed brick work
Chimney brick work, questions and answers
Will a sealer stop my chimney bricks from getting worse?
A sealer does not replace a brick that has already lost its face, and brick industry guidance says a repellent is no substitute for replacement. Film-forming products can even trap moisture. We replace damaged units first and discuss repellents later.
How many bricks can be replaced before a bigger repair is needed?
There is no fixed count. It depends on how the damage is spread and whether the masonry around it is sound and not moving. When damaged units cluster in large areas or courses are loose, we explain a partial rebuild instead.
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.
More Ways to Care for Your Fireplace
- Chimney Animal RemovalAssess occupied chimney openings and plan appropriate follow-up cleaning or entry protection.
- Chimney Damper Repair and ReplacementRestore a usable damper mechanism after checking the plate, frame and control linkage.
- Chimney Leak RepairFind the chimney water entry point and plan a repair before restoring the damaged finish.
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Chimney & Fireplace Brands We Work With
DuraVent 
Olympia Chimney and Venting 
Copperfield Chimney Supply 
Rutland 
Heatilator 
Heat & Glo