Failed chimney bricks replaced with care in Northdale

Water entering at the top of the chimney

The top of a masonry chimney is its first line of defense. Florida's residential code calls for that top to be a cap of concrete, metal or stone, finished with a drip edge and with a caulked bond break wherever a flue liner passes through.

When that cap or crown cracks, lacks a drip edge or has lost its seal at the flue, water can run down into the upper courses of brick. Those bricks may then spall or loosen first.

Where the brick damage is concentrated near the top, we inspect the crown closely and explain any crown repair on its own line of the estimate.

Removing ivy from a brick chimney

The Brick Industry Association explains that ivy works its shoots into gaps in the mortar and brings moisture in with them. BIA recommends cutting the vines carefully rather than pulling them away, since pulling can damage the brickwork.

BIA also suggests leaving the shoots that remain attached until they dry and shrivel, then brushing them off with a stiff fiber brush rather than using chemicals or acids.

Once the growth is off, we can see the condition of the bricks and joints underneath and explain what needs repair.

Where ivy has grown for a long time, BIA notes that joints may need repointing if the mortar cracks or crumbles as the growth comes off.

After the new bricks are in

Once the bricks are replaced and the water entry has been dealt with, give the chimney time. The Brick Industry Association advises waiting several months after repairs before deciding whether a water repellent is needed, because the repairs often solve the moisture problem on their own.

Keep the estimate and the completion summary, including the brick and mortar used, for future reference. Watch for new changes rather than assuming every mark on older brick is the same defect.

If loose material or dampness returns, call for another look before anyone adds a patch.

What your brick repair estimate shows

The written estimate lists the bricks or the area to be replaced, the replacement brick and mortar, any joint work around the repair and the protection and cleanup involved. Related work, such as crown or flashing repair, appears on its own lines.

Separating the items lets you see what each part costs and decide on each one. Nothing is added after the fact without an explanation and your approval.