Chimney rebuilds and flue decisions in Ives Estates
Same-day visits are available when the schedule allows, to make loose masonry safe ahead of a rebuild.
- Owned and run locally
- Available for same-day service
- Fully licensed and insured
- Family owned and run
Damage that points toward a rebuild
- A crown broken into loose pieces
- Masonry too loose to hold new flashing
- Rust stains from failed metal ties
- Soft mortar you can scrape out by hand
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Chimney reconstruction explained before it starts
Rebuilding the sloped shoulders
Where a chimney narrows above the fireplace, the step or slope is called the shoulder. When a rebuild reaches that level, the shoulder surface is relaid so it sheds water rather than holding it.
On a rebuild, we lay the shoulder with solid brick or finish it with a wash placed into each step, as brick industry guidance suggests. Open brick cores, or a wash that skims across the steps, would hold water. We describe how the rebuilt shoulders will be finished and include them on the estimate.
A formed crown with an overhang
The brick industry's chimney guidance favors a precast crown or a cast-in-place crown shaped like one, with thickened edges and an overhang past the brick. The overhang keeps rain off the top courses and throws it clear of the face.
We describe the crown's form on the estimate: how it is made, how it sheds water and how it sits over the new masonry. Where a precast crown suits the chimney, we explain the choice. Either way, the finished crown is sloped, overhangs the brick and carries a drip edge.
Counterflashing laid in as the courses rise
A rebuild is the best chance to get the roof junction right. As the new courses pass the roof line, the upper layer of flashing is set into the mortar joints, rather than cut into old brick afterwards.
The brick industry's chimney guidance describes counterflashing let into a joint and lapped over the base flashing below it. Building it in as the brick goes up gives a tighter joint than fitting it later. We describe the flashing metal and how it laps on the estimate.
Keeping clear of a failing stack
A chimney with loose courses or a shifted top can shed masonry without warning, especially in wind. Keep children, pets and visitors away from the ground below it, and avoid parking there.
Do not try to pull loose bricks off or brace the stack yourself. Tell us where pieces have landed and how large they were when you call. That information shapes how quickly the visit is arranged and how the area is protected. A top that sways or has visibly slipped counts as urgent, so say so at the start of the call.
Rebuild work, line by line
- Corrosion-resistant ties where the chimney needs them
- Cover over the open chimney each evening
- Appliance vent disconnection coordinated
- Written record of the rebuilt section
Rebuilding questions from homes in Ives Estates
Can you reuse the original bricks?
Where they are sound, yes. We clean the old mortar off and check each unit for cracks and broken faces. Damaged bricks are replaced with new or salvaged units chosen to match the courses that stay.
What paperwork do I get after the rebuild?
A written record of the work that shows where the rebuild started, what was used for the lining, crown and flashing. Keep it with your house papers.
How do you keep debris off the roof and the yard?
Masonry is taken down by hand and lowered in a controlled way. We protect the roof covering and the ground below, clean up as we go and haul all of the debris away at the end.
More Ways to Care for Your Fireplace
- Chimney Flue RepairAssess repairs to damaged existing flue linings and distinguish them from a new liner installation.
- Wood-Burning Fireplace Insert InstallationFit a wood-burning insert after assessing its host fireplace and full connection requirements.
- Smoke Chamber RepairRepair identified smoke-chamber surfaces with the access and material requirements clearly defined.
- Spalling Brick Repair and Chimney Brick ReplacementReplace deteriorated chimney bricks while retaining suitable surrounding masonry.
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