Spalling chimney brick repair that deals with the cause in Dover
Failed bricks cut out, matched units set in compatible mortar and the water source dealt with on your Dover chimney.
- Family owned and operated
- Same-day service available
- No hidden fees
- Workmanship warranty
Contents
A failed brick and a failed joint are different repairs
Spalling brick repair deals with the brick itself: a face that has broken away, a unit cracked through or a brick that has come loose. Mortar joint repair deals with the material between the bricks. Both can happen in the same area, but they are not the same job.
We identify which material has failed before proposing work. A chimney with sound bricks and worn joints needs repointing, while one with sound joints and failed bricks needs the units replaced. Many chimneys need a little of each, and the estimate shows them separately.
Getting that distinction right is what keeps the repair from being too small to last or larger than the chimney needs.
Finding the water before replacing the bricks
Bricks spall when water gets into them and something drives the face off, such as salts crystallizing inside the brick or a mortar that will not let the masonry dry. Replacing the damaged bricks without finding that water leaves the new units exposed to the same conditions.
The Brick Industry Association advises investigating moisture sources before repairs. On a chimney we look at the crown or cap, the flashing, the joints, any coating and the way water runs off the roof around it.
The estimate names the water path we find alongside the brick replacement, so the repair fixes the cause as well as the result.
What white deposits on the chimney tell you
Efflorescence is the white bloom that salts leave on brick. The Brick Industry Association says it takes three things together, namely salts that can dissolve, water that stays on them long enough to dissolve them, and a route through the masonry that carries the solution out to the face.
Efflorescence can usually be removed by dry brushing, and BIA advises against washing it off except in warm, dry weather, since the extra water can bring more salts out. More important than removing it is asking why it keeps coming back, because persistent efflorescence points to water still getting in.
We note where the deposits sit and trace them back toward the source during the inspection.
Repairing brick on a painted or coated chimney
A painted or coated chimney hides the brick, so damage can progress behind the finish before it shows. Peeling in sheets, bubbles and flaking brick visible through gaps are the usual signs.
The Brick Industry Association links film-forming coatings to spalling when moisture is trapped behind them. When we repair a coated chimney, we assess how the finish affects drying and explain what that means for the new bricks and for any refinishing.
Tell us what the chimney was painted with if you know. It helps us plan the repair and the finish.
On any service we offer
Spalled brick in Dover? 10% off when booked within 72 hours of the inspection.
What's Included
Your Brick Replacement Estimate in Dover
- Mortar joints next to each failed brick
- Flashing where the chimney meets the roof
- Efflorescence and signs of water moving through the masonry
- Crack patterns that may indicate movement
Our Services
More Help for Your Dover Fireplace
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More about spalling brick repair and chimney brick replacementEverything we do in Dover
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See Which Bricks Need Replacing, Free
Flaking brick, loose pieces or grit in the gutters in Dover? Ring (833) 435-4697 and ask for a free look at the chimney.
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Our team will contact you to arrange the appointment.