Spalling chimney brick repair that deals with the cause in East Lake-Orient Park

Why a coating can make spalling worse

Film-forming coatings sit on the surface of the brick and keep water out, but they also slow the evaporation of water already inside. The Brick Industry Association warns that this can lead to clouding and spalling when the moisture source has not been dealt with.

BIA also notes that salts carried toward a coated surface can be deposited just behind the coating, where their crystals may push the face off. That is why a coating is never our answer to flaking brick.

If your chimney has been coated, tell us what was used if you know. It helps explain the damage and shapes the repair.

Matching replacement bricks to the chimney

A replacement brick should match the existing brick in size, color and texture, and also in how it behaves. The Brick Industry Association notes that locating a matching brick can take considerable effort, and recommends judging the match against the existing work with a sample.

A close color match that absorbs water very differently, or a brick of the wrong size that forces thick joints, can create new problems. We weigh physical suitability alongside appearance.

Before ordering, we describe the options we can find and how close each is likely to look, so the choice is made with you.

Details that help before the brick inspection

Tell us where you have seen damage, such as one face of the chimney, the top courses or the roofline, and whether pieces have fallen. Mention any earlier repairs, coatings or paint you know about, and whether the fireplace is still in use.

If you have noticed white deposits, damp patches or water inside near the chimney, say so. These details help us look in the right places during the free inspection.

Hairline cracks and open cracks

Not every crack means a brick must come out. A fine hairline crack at the surface behaves differently from an open crack that runs through the face of the brick. The Brick Industry Association notes that a water repellent cannot keep water out of cracks wider than 0.02 inch.

Cracks extending through the face shell are one of the conditions BIA says call for removing and replacing the brick. We measure and describe the cracks we find, so the recommendation rests on what is actually there.