Flaking chimney brick replaced by our team in Meadow Woods

What spalled chimney brick looks like

Spalling is the face of a brick flaking, peeling or popping away, leaving a rough, recessed surface behind. Pieces may collect on the roof, in the gutter or at the base of the chimney.

Once the hard outer face is gone, the softer body of the brick is exposed and takes on water more easily. Brick Industry Association Technical Note 46 notes that moisture can penetrate through broken or heavily spalled brick and that replacing the damaged units may be necessary. We look at each affected brick and the ones around it before recommending anything.

Brick replacement before selling a home

Visible spalling on a chimney is an easy item for a buyer's inspector to flag. Replacing the damaged units before listing can remove a question from the sale.

We inspect, replace what needs replacing and give you paperwork describing what was done and what materials were used. If we find other issues during the visit, we explain them so you can decide what to address before listing. Tell us about your timeline, and we will work to fit it.

Pointing around new units compared with repointing the chimney

Brick replacement includes pointing the joints around each new unit. Repointing worn joints across a whole face or the whole chimney is a separate job called tuckpointing.

If the joints around the damaged brick are sound, pointing the new units is all that is needed. If the mortar across a wider area is eroded, we explain that and quote chimney tuckpointing separately, so you can see which part of the price relates to the brick and which to the joints.

Questions to ask before approving brick replacement

A good estimate answers these questions in writing. If one is missing, ask before you approve the work, whoever is quoting it.

• How many units will be replaced, and how were they chosen?
• What is thought to be causing the damage, and is it addressed?
• Which brick will be used, and how close will the match be?
• Which mortar type and color approach will be used?
• How will extra damaged units found during removal be handled?
• What cleanup and protection of the roof and yard are included?