Repair and restoration
Chimney masonry repair and tuckpointing
Crumbling brick, failed mortar joints, tuckpointing, partial rebuilds. We repair chimney masonry so it holds up to Michigan winters and looks right on the house.
How it works
We inspect the chimney
The brick and the mortar joints on every side, along with the crown and the flashing.
We show you what we found
Which joints and bricks have failed, and whether they can be repaired in place.
You get a written quote
The work, the materials and the price in writing.
We do the work and clean up
We protect the roof and the ground below while we work, and clean up before we leave.
What tuckpointing is
Tuckpointing is removing worn mortar from the joints between the bricks and replacing it with new mortar. On a chimney, the joints near the top usually go first because they take the most weather.
Brick repair and partial rebuilds
When bricks are cracked or crumbling, we replace them. When the top of a chimney has deteriorated too far to repair brick by brick, that section comes down and gets rebuilt.
Why chimney masonry wears out here
Water gets into brick and mortar, freezes, expands and breaks the surface apart. That happens over and over through a Michigan winter, and a chimney stands above the roof where it takes more weather than any other part of the house.
Matching the house
New mortar that doesn't match the old stands out from the street for years. We match the existing brick and mortar color as closely as we can, so the repair doesn't read as a patch.
What goes into the price
Every chimney is different, so this work is priced after we have looked at yours.
- How many joints and bricks need work, and on how many sides of the chimney.
- Whether a section has to be taken down and rebuilt.
- How tall the chimney is and how hard the roof is to work on.
Before and after
Before 
After Before: Lichen on the crown and rusted flashing. After: Coated crown, flue covers and new flashing.
Questions
More in questions and answers.
How do repair quotes work?
Repairs start with an inspection. We show you what we found, go over the options, and send you a written quote. Nothing starts until you've approved the quote.
Do you always recommend the biggest repair?
No. Sometimes a chimney needs a major repair. Other times a smaller targeted repair can solve the problem and save the homeowner significant money. Knowing the difference comes from experience.
Can you give me an estimate from pictures?
Yes. Send us pictures of your chimney and we can give you a rough idea of what the work involves. Any estimate from pictures is preliminary and is not a final price until we visit the property and inspect the job in person.
Related services
Chimney crowns
Cracked and crumbling crowns repaired, or rebuilt when they're too far gone to patch.
Quoted after an inspection
Chimney waterproofing
Water repellent for chimney masonry, applied once the joints and crown are sound.
Quoted after an inspection
Exterior chimney restoration
Worn, stained or dated chimneys brought back so they look right on the house again.
Quoted after an inspection
Book an inspection or cleaning
Pick a day and a 3-hour arrival window online. If you'd rather talk it through, call (248) 266-9991.