Damaged chimney brick replaced in Spring Lake

Looking at the chimney brick each season

Periodic inspection of brick masonry, preferably each season, is a recommendation of BIA Technical Note 46. For a homeowner, that can simply mean a look at the chimney from the yard now and then.

Watch for new flaking, cracked units, white deposits and pieces on the roof or ground. Catching damage early usually means fewer units to replace. If you see a change, call us for a free inspection before it spreads.

A leaning or separating chimney is more than a brick job

A chimney that leans, has a gap opening between it and the house or has a crack running through many courses may have a structural problem. Replacing spalled units does not address that.

If we see these signs, we tell you right away and recommend the right next step before any brick replacement. Keep people clear of the area below a chimney that is visibly moving. Our goal is a safe chimney first and a good-looking repair second.

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?

The brushes we use on the finished work

After tooling, excess mortar and dust are brushed from the wall, preferably with a medium-soft bristle or fiber brush. BIA Technical Note 20 advises against steel bristles, which can leave small particles that rust.

We follow that practice around every replacement unit. It keeps the brick faces clean without scratching them or leaving rust spots behind, and it is one of the small habits that separates a tidy repair from a messy one.