Spalled brick replacement on chimneys in Pinecrest
Tell us which face is shedding pieces, and we start the assessment there.
- Owned and run locally
- Available for same-day service
- Fully licensed and insured
- Family owned and run
Cracked and flaking brick worth a closer look
- Bricks that look loose or pushed out
- Brick cores showing where faces fell
- Damage worst near the chimney top
- Spalled brick just above the roofline
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Brick replacement that deals with the cause
Clearing dust and fragments from the opening
Dust and fragments left in the opening weaken the new bond. Brick industry guidance calls for the opening and its surroundings to be carefully cleared before the new brick goes in.
We brush and clear each opening, including the back where the new mortar must grip. Loose material is collected rather than pushed inward. A clean opening lets the mortar bond to sound brick on every side, which is what holds the new unit firmly in the wall. It takes a little longer than a quick sweep, and it shows in how well the unit holds.
How the wrong mortar spreads the damage
A replacement set in the wrong mortar can cause the very problem it was meant to fix. Brick industry maintenance guidance says the wrong mortar may cause spalling and cracking in the existing brick around the repair.
That is why we do not reach for a hard, fast mix to finish quickly. The mortar should be no harder than the wall can tolerate. If earlier repairs used hard mortar and the bricks beside them are failing, we explain that pattern and how the new work avoids repeating it.
What changes the size of a brick job
Brick replacement jobs vary widely. The number of damaged units and where they sit both matter. So do the height of the chimney, access to the stack above the roof and how hard a matching brick is to find.
We explain which of these apply to your chimney. Each replacement area is priced upfront on the estimate. If the job changes once work begins, we pause and talk it through with you before any extra work goes ahead. Knowing those factors up front helps you plan around the work.
Planning roof access for high brick repairs
Damaged brick high on a chimney is reached from the roof, and sometimes from staging set against the house. Roof pitch, the roof covering and the chimney height all shape how we get there safely.
We explain the access plan in the estimate, including where ladders or staging stand and what needs moving. If access is difficult and more units are close to failing, we may suggest replacing them together, while leaving sound brick out of the scope. Access is set up once and used for every item you approve at that visit.
The brick replacement items you approve
- Surfaces dampened before setting
- Mortar suited to the existing joints
- Written record of units replaced
- Aftercare notes and repellent timing
Chimney brick work, questions and answers
How do you match new brick to an older chimney?
We compare size, color, texture and the range of shades in the wall, and we can set out a sample to judge the match. Finding a close brick can take some searching. New brick may look fresher at first.
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.
Why does the mortar around new bricks need curing care?
Mortar that dries too fast bonds poorly. We keep the new joints damp and out of strong sun as needed and tell you what to avoid, such as washing or cleaning chemicals, while they harden.
More Ways to Care for Your Fireplace
- Top-Sealing Damper InstallationFit a top-mounted damper only after checking the fireplace, product restrictions and control route.
- Gas Fireplace VentingAssess and repair the gas fireplace vent arrangement using components suited to the identified system.
- Wood-Burning Fireplace Insert InstallationFit a wood-burning insert after assessing its host fireplace and full connection requirements.
- Chimney Flue RepairAssess repairs to damaged existing flue linings and distinguish them from a new liner installation.
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Local service. Careful repairs. A fireplace worth coming home to.
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Chimney & Fireplace Brands We Work With
DuraVent 
Olympia Chimney and Venting 
Copperfield Chimney Supply 
Rutland 
Heatilator 
Heat & Glo