Chimney Repair in New Jersey

It depends on the type of repair, how much masonry is affected, the height of the chimney and how easy the roof is to reach. Repointing a few joints is a very different job from rebuilding a crown. We give you a free written estimate first.

The usual causes are a cracked crown, a missing cap, failed flashing and porous brick or open mortar joints. Water can enter in one place and show up somewhere else, so we check the whole chimney and the roof around it.

Repointing, often called tuckpointing, means removing worn mortar from the joints between bricks and replacing it with fresh mortar. It restores the seal against water and helps hold the bricks firmly in place.

Small surface cracks can usually be sealed. If the crown is broken, crumbling or was built flat with no overhang, replacing it is the better fix, because water will keep finding its way into the chimney.

It sits between both trades, which is why it is often done poorly. We work on roofs and chimney masonry, so we install step flashing under the shingles and counter flashing set into the mortar joints as one job.

A breathable masonry water repellent can help brick shed water once repairs are done. It doesn’t fix cracks or open joints, so we repair first, then talk about whether sealing makes sense for your chimney.

Many can. Flashing repairs and emergency covers can be done most of the year. Mortar and crown work need temperatures above freezing to cure, so we schedule them on suitable days or protect the work while it sets.

Water is the main cause. Brick and mortar absorb moisture, which expands when it freezes. Repeated freeze–thaw through a New Jersey winter breaks off brick faces and loosens joints, especially near the top of the chimney.