Brick and mortar repairs on chimneys in Tamarac
Where a crack points to movement, we say so and explain what should be checked before repair.
- Owned and run locally
- Available for same-day service
- Fully licensed and insured
- Family owned and run
What failing chimney brickwork looks like
- Stepped cracks along the mortar joints
- Brick chips or sand on the roof
- Top courses shifted out of line
- Stains on the attic side of the chimney
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Our approach to chimney brick and joints
Bricks, joints and the stack they form
Chimney masonry works as three things at once. The bricks carry the load and face the weather. The mortar joints bind them and give movement and moisture a place to go. Together they form a stack that must stay plumb, tight to the house and sound at the top.
A repair that looks only at one of the three can miss the problem. Replacing a broken brick does little if the joints around it are failing, and new joints do little if the stack is moving. We look at all three before we suggest which one needs the work.
Masonry cracks on the chimney breast indoors
The part of the chimney that projects into the room is masonry too, often finished with plaster or paint. Cracks there can follow the mortar joints behind the finish, run through the finish alone or line up with cracks outside.
We look at the crack indoors and compare it with the masonry outside and in the attic. A crack only in the finish needs a finish repair. A crack in the masonry behind it needs masonry work, and we explain how that can be reached with the least disturbance to the room.
Judging a mortar color match once it dries
Fresh mortar looks darker while wet and lightens as it dries. A match that looks right on the day can look wrong once it has dried. The brick industry advises comparing samples with the existing mortar both wet and fully dry.
Where appearance matters, we prepare small samples and let them dry before you judge them. Weathered joints carry years of dirt and wear, so the new work may still read slightly fresher at first. We tell you what to expect before any joint is filled, so the result does not come as a surprise.
Deep joints are packed in stages
Where old mortar has been removed to a good depth, the new mortar goes in by layers rather than all at once. Each layer is pressed in firmly and allowed to stiffen before the next goes on. The brick industry's guidance describes this layered method for repointing.
Packing in layers reduces shrinkage and voids in the joint. The last layer is tooled to the finished profile once it is firm. This is slower than filling in one pass, and it is one reason careful repointing costs what it does. We explain the method on request.
Brick and mortar lines on your estimate
- Loose top courses taken down and relaid
- Plant growth removed and joints repaired
- Base courses and ground contact checked
- Tie-in with crown and flashing work noted
What people ask a chimney mason
Why did an earlier masonry repair on my chimney crack again?
Common reasons are water still reaching the masonry, continued movement or a repair mortar harder than the brick. We look for the reason before repeating anything, so the new repair addresses it.
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.
Should the brick be sealed after the masonry repair?
Only if it helps your chimney. A vapor-permeable water repellent can be applied once repairs are complete and dry. It is a separate option on the estimate, not a replacement for the repair itself.
More Ways to Care for Your Fireplace
- Chimney Sweep and Chimney CleaningArrange careful chimney cleaning in Miami with a defined scope, protected work area and useful findings.
- Chimney Damper Repair and ReplacementRestore a usable damper mechanism after checking the plate, frame and control linkage.
- Chimney Cap Installation and ReplacementProtect the chimney opening with a cap chosen for its fit, attachment and compatible system.
- Chimney Liner Installation and ReliningPlan a compatible chimney liner installation with the existing passage, connections and maintenance access considered together.
- Wood-Burning Fireplace Insert InstallationFit a wood-burning insert after assessing its host fireplace and full connection requirements.
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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