Taking a chimney down and rebuilding it in Liberty City
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
When patching gives way to rebuilding
- Cracks running through several bricks
- Flue tiles showing through open joints
- Daylight through the masonry in the attic
- Bricks crumbling to sand
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Planning a rebuild above the roofline
When an engineer should look first
The brick industry's maintenance guidance treats some conditions as structural rather than routine. Cracks through several units, stepped cracks, widespread broken brick, rust building up on steel in the masonry and walls pushed out of line are among them.
If we see those signs, we recommend an assessment by an engineer before the rebuild is priced. Their findings can change where the rebuild starts, whether the base needs work and how the chimney is tied to the house. We can plan the rebuild around their recommendations once you have them.
Why the new crown has a drip edge
Water running off a crown will follow its underside back to the brick unless something stops it. A drip edge breaks that path and makes water fall clear of the chimney face.
A drip edge is written into the code's description of a masonry chimney's top. On a rebuild, it is formed into the new crown along each overhanging edge. We mention it because it is invisible from the ground, yet it decides whether the new courses stay dry. A crown without one tends to leave a dark band of wet brick just under its edge.
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.
A chimney separating from the house
A gap between chimney and house that widens toward the top suggests the stack is moving away from the building. Failed ties, a settling base or a loose upper section can all cause it.
We look at the attachment, the base and the crack pattern before suggesting a rebuild. If the cause is in the footing or the structure, an engineer's assessment may need to come first. A rebuild then restores the upper stack and ties it back to the house properly.
Priced steps of a partial rebuild
- Rain cap fitted to the flue
- Clearance to framing at roof and attic
- Fireblocking where the stack passes floors
- Debris removal and haul-away
Questions about chimney rebuilding
Will the rebuilt chimney need to be taller than before?
Only if the old top fell short of the Florida Building Code's height rule for chimneys. We check it against the roof and nearby parts of the house and explain any change before you approve.
Do I need an engineer before the chimney is rebuilt?
Only when the damage suggests a structural cause, such as a stack pulling away from the house, stepped cracking or signs the base has moved. We explain when that assessment should come first.
When can the fireplace be used after the rebuild?
Once the new mortar and crown have cured. The waiting time depends on the materials and the manufacturer's instructions, and we give you the timing in the written record of the work.
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.
- Ventless Gas Fireplace ServiceService the identified vent-free appliance without bypassing its required safety components.
- Chimney Leak RepairFind the chimney water entry point and plan a repair before restoring the damaged finish.
- Wood-Burning Fireplace Insert InstallationFit a wood-burning insert after assessing its host fireplace and full connection 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