Restoring chimney brickwork in North Bay Village
A workmanship warranty on the masonry repairs we complete, and a written record of what was done.
- Owned and run locally
- Available for same-day service
- Fully licensed and insured
- Family owned and run
Signs the chimney brickwork needs attention
- Dark damp patches that stay after rain
- Paint peeling off chimney brick
- Crumbling brick near the roof line
- Brick dust on the patio below
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Brickwork repairs that suit what is there
Cracks near the top of the stack
Cracks that open near the top courses can come from several places. Water from a failing crown soaks the top bricks. A crown cast tight against the flue lining can push on the masonry as the two move differently. Metal fixed into the top can rust and swell.
We look at the crown, the flue lining where it meets the top and any metal set into the masonry before deciding on a repair. Resetting the top courses without dealing with the cause would put new mortar in the same position as the old.
Water from the crown into the top courses
The concrete top of a masonry chimney protects the brick beneath it. Once it cracks or loses its overhang, rain runs straight into the top courses. Joints there soften and bricks loosen first, before damage shows lower down.
We check the crown whenever top courses are damaged. Chimney crown repair handles the top itself, and the masonry below is repaired in the same sequence. Relaying top courses under a cracked crown would leave the water path open, so we price the two together or explain why one can wait.
Why film coatings harm chimney brick
Paints, sealers and coatings that form a film on the surface can stop brick from drying outward. Water that gets in behind the film stays in the masonry, and the film can then blister and peel with the brick face attached.
The brick industry's guidance advises against film-forming coatings on exterior brick. If your chimney already has one, we look at how it is holding up and what lies beneath failing areas. Removing a coating is a separate decision, priced apart from the masonry repair.
Steel in chimney masonry near the coast
Chimneys on or close to the coast face salt carried in the air. Steel ties, anchors and fixings in the masonry corrode faster in that marine air, and rusting steel can swell and crack the brick around it.
On coastal and near-coast chimneys, we look closely for rust bleeding from joints and for cracks that line up with embedded metal. Where metal must be replaced or added, we choose a material suited to the exposure. The estimate names it, so the new fixings do not repeat the problem.
What the masonry visit can include
- Gentle cleaning tested on a small area
- Chimney breast cracks traced indoors
- Painted brick condition assessed
- Tie-in with crown and flashing work noted
Questions about chimney brick repair
Do you replace single bricks or whole sections?
Both, depending on the damage. A few broken units can be cut out and replaced. When loose or damaged brick runs through several courses, relaying that section is usually the sounder repair.
Can you repair chimney brickwork inside the attic or the room?
Yes, where it is accessible. The masonry below the roof line and the chimney breast indoors can crack too. We note those areas during the visit and price any interior masonry repair separately.
Is a small crack in the chimney mortar urgent?
Usually not urgent, but worth looking at. Small cracks let in water over time, and water drives most masonry decay. We explain whether it can wait and what it might lead to if left.
More Ways to Care for Your Fireplace
- Chimney Animal RemovalAssess occupied chimney openings and plan appropriate follow-up cleaning or entry protection.
- Gas Fireplace Repair and ServiceGet a model-specific gas fireplace service plan for the fault you are seeing or the maintenance your unit needs.
- Chimney Leak RepairFind the chimney water entry point and plan a repair before restoring the damaged finish.
- Gas Fireplace InstallationCreate a complete gas fireplace installation plan for the room, appliance and connected systems.
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Chimney & Fireplace Brands We Work With
DuraVent 
Olympia Chimney and Venting 
Copperfield Chimney Supply 
Rutland 
Heatilator 
Heat & Glo