Brick and Masonry Repair

Does your brick & masonry chimney have cracks, gaps, or decaying mortar that needs repair? Often, your masonry chimney can be repaired using tuckpointing. Other times, a portion (from the roof up) of the brickwork may need to be replaced. So, beware of contractors that suggest a complete chimney rebuild.

However, IF your chimney does need to be rebuilt, you can count on our professional masons to provide honest advice on the best course of action to take for your home, business, or government office in Bethesda, MD, Kensington, MD, Alexandria, VA, and throughout Greater Washington, DC.

Certified Masonry Professionals

Our masonry professionals are certified by the Chimney Institute of America (CSIA) and the National Fireplace Institute (NFI). To receive these prestigious credentials, a chimney professional must demonstrate extensive knowledge in the construction, inspection, maintenance, and repair of chimneys, vents, and attached heating appliances per National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) industry standards. They must also complete recurrent training every two years to maintain their certification.

Chimney Tuckpointing

Your brick chimney is held in place by a layer of mortar, a cement-based compound. While brick and mortar are porous materials, mortar is a softer compound. As a result, it is more vulnerable to water damage, so this is where you will often see the first signs of masonry deterioration. As the mortar cracks and crumbles, you may notice areas of the brickwork where mortar is disappearing. The water damage can eventually spread to the bricks, causing them to crack, chip, loosen, and even fall off the chimney. That’s why we recommend tuckpointing when there are signs of mortar decay. Our masonry repair expert will remove the damaged mortar and replace the joints with new durable material. Tuckpointing restores your chimney to look and function as good as new.

Chimney Crown

When the chimney cap or chase cover is damaged or missing, it exposes the crown to rain and snow, making it more vulnerable to cracking. House settling, hail, storms, and lightning can also cause damage to the crown, which is why annual inspections are vital. In addition, moisture can leak through the cracks or gaps in the crown and damage the interior masonry and internal components such as the flue liner and damper. Our masonry repair professionals are experts in repairing a cracked or crumbling crown that will protect your chimney from moisture damage.

Chimney Rebuilding

As we just mentioned, unrepaired mortar decay can spread to the surrounding bricks, causing them to flake, chip, and spall. You may even notice pieces of bricks on the ground near the chimney. Even if the exterior looks in good condition, that may not be the case inside the chimney, especially if it has not been routinely inspected and cleaned. Moisture can cause extensive damage to brick masonry chimneys. The masonry will worsen without immediate repair, eventually affecting its structural integrity. As a result, it may begin to lean until it collapses, which may cause extensive property damage to your home. When there is widespread masonry damage like spalling, loose, or missing bricks, it may be necessary to rebuild the damaged section (a partial rebuild). Sometimes, we must demolish the original structure and rebuild the chimney.

Firebox Repair/Replacement

The firebox is where you stack the wood logs to build a fire, so it is the heart of the fireplace. It is constructed with firebrick and refractory mortar that are designed to withstand the hot temperatures without spreading to combustible materials of the home. However, corrosive combustion gas residue, creosote, and moisture can cause the firebrick and mortar to crack, crumble, and decay, becoming a fire and safety hazard. Our talented brick masonry professionals can repair damaged firebrick and mortar and replace the firebox if necessary. We can even rebuild the firebox in a unique style or pattern of your choice to give your fireplace a beautifully custom appearance.

Smoke Chamber Parging

Many older homes in Maryland, Northern Virginia, and Washington DC, have smoke chambers built with corbeled brick. The stair-step design of this outdated technique creates pockets where creosote and moisture can accumulate in the chimney and damage the masonry. Due to the increased risk of fire and carbon monoxide exposure, many of these older chimneys need to have their smoke chamber parged to meet current NFPA 211 standards. We use a durable mortar cement blend to parge the smoke chamber smooth, which will seal any holes in the masonry. In addition to protecting the smoke chamber, it will increase the safety and efficiency of the chimney and improve draft and fireplace performance.

Expert Brick & Masonry Chimney Repair in Silver Spring – Fairfax – Washington DC

Is your masonry chimney old, worn out, and inefficient? Bethesda Chimney provides expert brick & masonry repair services that will restore your chimney to its original splendor. We serve residential, commercial, and government customers in Silver Spring MD, Chevy Chase MD, District of Columbia, Manassas VA, Tysons VA, Montgomery Village MD, Washington DC, and Northern VA. Call 301-969-4444 or 703-935-4444 to schedule an appointment for a free repair estimate today!