Spalled brick replacement on chimneys in Three Lakes
Crown, flashing and joint repairs stay separate items, each with its own reason.
- Owned and run locally
- Available for same-day service
- Fully licensed and insured
- Family owned and run
Signs the chimney bricks need replacing
- Brick cores showing where faces fell
- A clear sealer flaking off the brick
- Vines rooted over damaged brick
- Mortar gone around a loose brick
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Replacing chimney bricks the careful way
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.
Brick replacement from a family-owned team
Miami Chimney Repair is a family-owned, locally owned company. We explain the damaged units, the proposed brick and the method ourselves, and your questions come straight back to us.
Brick replacement asks for judgment at each step, from which units truly need replacing to which brick matches best. We explain those decisions in plain words. Upfront pricing and no hidden fees mean the estimate you approve covers the agreed units, and any change is discussed with you first. You have someone to call who knows the job.
What to watch after bricks are replaced
Keep an eye on the chimney during the heavy rains that follow the work. Look for new flaking near the repair, stains inside or pieces on the roof. New joints may show a fine surface line while they cure, which is worth mentioning.
If anything concerns you, note where and when. Call and describe it. The written record shows which units were replaced, so we can check them and any other part of the chimney that could be involved. Most questions are easier to answer once we know which unit you mean.
Spalling on a chimney that is no longer used
A chimney that is no longer used still stands in the weather. Its brick can spall, its crown can crack and water can reach ceilings and walls inside, whether or not anyone lights a fire.
Damage on an unused chimney also tends to go unnoticed for longer. A free inspection shows whether any bricks need replacing and what is letting water in. We explain the options plainly, including when monitoring is reasonable for now. Waiting too long can turn a few bricks into many.
The brick replacement items you approve
- Color, texture and range compared
- New brick buttered and set in place
- New units toothed into the bond pattern
- Solid wall kept around the flue
Questions to ask before replacing bricks
Can a crumbling brick just be patched with mortar?
A skim of mortar over a lost face is not a brick. It tends to crack away and can hold water against the damaged unit. We cut out and replace units that have lost their face or cracked through.
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.
How does the inspection discount apply to brick replacement?
Say yes to the brick replacement within 72 hours after your free inspection and we take 10% off the services you book. Those hours run from your own inspection visit.
More Ways to Care for Your Fireplace
- Chimney Flue RepairAssess repairs to damaged existing flue linings and distinguish them from a new liner installation.
- Chimney Animal RemovalAssess occupied chimney openings and plan appropriate follow-up cleaning or entry protection.
- Chimney Masonry RepairRepair affected chimney brickwork and joints with materials selected for the construction already in place.
- Stone Chimney RepairRepair affected stone chimney surfaces with the supporting construction and visual match considered together.
Proudly American
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