Taking a chimney down and rebuilding it in Health District
A partial or full rebuild, chosen from the evidence and explained before you commit.
- Owned and run locally
- Available for same-day service
- Fully licensed and insured
- Family owned and run
When patching gives way to rebuilding
- Repairs that keep failing
- A crown broken into loose pieces
- Flue tiles showing through open joints
- Water pouring in around the chimney
Jump to
Planning a rebuild above the roofline
Metal parts that resist corrosion
A rebuild brings together several metal parts: ties, flashing, the cap and its fasteners. The brick industry's guidance calls for corrosion-resistant metals in flashing and caps, since replacing them later means disturbing the new masonry.
We choose metals for each part and name them on the estimate. Metals that will touch each other are chosen to sit well together, or separated. That keeps a sound rebuild from being let down by a rusting part years later. Where you have a preference, such as copper for appearance, tell us and we explain how it would work with the other metals.
Rot found around the chimney
Removing masonry near the roof can uncover damaged decking, rafters or framing around the chimney, often from a long-standing leak. That damage could not be seen during the inspection.
We stop and show you what was found, and we explain how far the damage seems to go. Framing repair is usually a roofer's or carpenter's job, and we coordinate the timing so the rebuild does not close over rotten wood. The finding is priced or referred as a separate item rather than folded quietly into the masonry.
How a rebuild estimate is laid out
A rebuild estimate should read like a project plan. Each stage has its own line: access and protection, removal to the agreed line, new courses, the flue lining, flashing, crown, cap and cleanup.
Separate lines let you compare quotes and see where the money goes. They also show what is not included, such as roofing work by another trade. Ask about any line that is unclear, and we will explain what it covers and why it is there. A single rebuild figure with no breakdown makes that comparison impossible.
What the warranty covers on a rebuilt stack
Our workmanship warranty stands behind the rebuild work we agree and complete. That means the courses we laid, the crown we formed and the parts we fitted, as described on the estimate.
The masonry below the removal line was not rebuilt, so it sits outside that warranty, as does work by other trades such as the roof covering. Ask what the warranty means for your particular rebuild before you approve it. Keep the estimate and the completed work details together in case a question comes up.
Line items in a chimney reconstruction
- New crown with drip edge and bond break
- Top height checked against the code
- Mortar smears cleaned from finished brick
- Flue size kept to suit the fireplace
Before you approve a chimney rebuild
Does the rebuild include a new crown and cap?
A rebuilt top normally gets a new crown, sloped with a drip edge and a bond break around the flue lining. A rain cap is fitted or refitted to suit the flue, and both appear on the estimate.
Can the rebuild be split into stages?
Partly. Loose masonry can be made safe first and the rebuild scheduled later. Once removal starts, though, the section is usually rebuilt in one sequence, so the chimney is not left open.
What stops water getting into the new top?
The new crown is sloped with a drip edge, separated from the flue lining by a bond break, and the joints are tooled to shed rain. New counterflashing is set into the courses at the roof line.
More Ways to Care for Your Fireplace
- Chimney Liner Installation and ReliningPlan a compatible chimney liner installation with the existing passage, connections and maintenance access considered together.
- Stone Chimney RepairRepair affected stone chimney surfaces with the supporting construction and visual match considered together.
- Top-Sealing Damper InstallationFit a top-mounted damper only after checking the fireplace, product restrictions and control route.
- Smoke Chamber RepairRepair identified smoke-chamber surfaces with the access and material requirements clearly defined.
- Fireplace Hearth RepairRepair the hearth surface after considering the supporting assembly and fireplace requirements.
We received your request
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