Old Smokey's Fireplace & Chimney's Blog

Quality Chimney Repairs, Repointing, Restoration & Rebuilds

There are a lot of issues that can arise when you own a masonry fireplace and chimney. This is is especially true if your chimney system in older. Masonry chimneys are constructed to withstand a lot of abuse. This makes sense when you consider that your chimney has to deal with extreme shifts in temperature and harsh weather conditions. Because of this, over the years, even the most well-built chimneys will start to show signs of wear and tear due to climate and operational use. When your chimney masonry health starts to deteriorate, issues that can occur that will inhibit your chimney system’s ability to operate correctly and your chimney could also become hazardous. Because of this, it is critical that you have your chimney inspected and maintained by an experienced chimney technician annually. At Old Smokey’s, our experienced masons have seen everything when it comes to chimney masonry issues. Let us show you what we can do to bring life to your old worn out masonry chimney.

Masonry Services We Offer

When it comes to your chimney masonry, we pretty much do it all. If you’re looking to do any type of repair, repointing, restoration, or rebuild, our masonry experts can help you. There are many things that can cause masonry damage. Poor construction, weather, and old age are some of the most common issues that we come across during chimney inspections. If you notice that your masonry is starting to crack, chip, crumble or detach, it needs to be inspected and repaired as soon as possible. These types of issues can quickly become large issues that are hazardous and costly to repair. Sometimes repairing masonry will include a process called repointing. Repointing is the process of carefully removing old and damaged mortar from between your masonry brickwork and replacing it with new mortar. Repointing strengthens bonds between your brickwork and protects your masonry from moisture intrusion. It also has the added benefit of livening up the appearance of your chimney.

If your chimney or fireplace is looking old and worn out, you may be thinking that you want to restore it back to its original self. At Old Smokey’s, we can help you with this as well. Our chimney restoration services include but are not limited to, stain removal, brick replacement, waterproofing, and repointing. Our experienced masons will use materials and techniques that will make sure your repairs match your current masonry’s colors and patterns. If your chimney or fireplace has gotten to the point that repairs don’t really make sense, we can rebuild it for you. Many people use this as an opportunity to totally remodel their chimney system. 

One of the most important masonry services that we offer is preventative care. Your chimney puts a lot of work into keeping you warm throughout the winter. That’s why it is important to have your chimney inspected by one of our CSIA certified chimney technicians at least once a year. Annual chimney inspections allow us to detect issues in your masonry before they become larger issues. This can save you a lot of money and headaches in the long run.

Whatever your chimney masonry needs are, we here at Old Smokey’s can help. Call us today at 800-876-6539 or 260-424-0009, or schedule an appointment online to meet with one of our CSIA chimney technicians today! We look forward to serving you!

Let Us Take Care Of Your Chimney Restoration And Rebuilds

Is your chimney starting to look a little worn? Are there any loose bricks or missing mortar? Is it not functioning properly? Just like any other part of your house, your chimney may start to look worn out over time. In some cases, chimneys may get to the point where they need to be rebuilt entirely! At Old Smokey’s, our masonry experts can inspect your chimney and decided what the best option is for restoring or rebuilding your chimney.

What causes issues that lead to chimneys needing restoration or rebuilding?

There are a number of issues that can lead to your chimney needing restoration or rebuilding. However, there are three issues that arise which are more common than others relevant to your chimney’s health. If you notice your chimney experiencing any of these symptoms below, it may be time to look at restoring or rebuilding your chimney.

• First, the older a chimney gets, the more likely it is to have issues with functionality. Your chimney takes a beating throughout its life via wind, rain, ice, and extreme temperature changes. Weather abuse over time can cause your chimney to start losing bricks and mortar. Additionally, it may also give your chimney a worn out appearance.
• Secondly, moisture causes the most problems for chimneys. When water seeps into little pores and cracks in you brick or masonry, it can settle there until winter. Freezing weather makes water freeze and expand, weakening your chimney by loosening bricks and mortar.
• Lastly, poor construction can cause all sorts of problems for chimneys, and may lead to your chimney not functioning properly. In fact, many of the rebuilds that we do at Old Smokey’s are due to poor construction by someone who isn’t properly trained in masonry!

What can I do if I think my chimney needs to be restored or rebuilt?

The first step to fixing your chimney would be contacting Old Smokey’s. One of our Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) certified technicians will inspect your chimney and determine if restoration or rebuilding is actually needed. If it is determined that restoration or rebuilding is needed, the masonry experts at Old Smokey’s can help with that as well. Masonry work is demanding and meticulous. Therefore, it should only be performed by a mason that has had extensive training and experience working on chimneys. At Old Smokey’s we’ve been in the business for over 20 years. Our masonry work is the best in the business – and we are proud to stand by our work!