Chimney Rebuild in St. Augustine, FL

When a Rebuild Makes Sense

Most chimney damage is fixed in place. A rebuild makes sense when the damage runs through the whole thickness of the wall, when a section leans, or when the top courses have soaked up so much water that the mortar has turned to sand. At that point new work set on old loose brick will not last.

We show you where the damage stops. A partial chimney rebuild usually means taking the stack down to the roofline or a few courses below it and building it back. A full chimney rebuild, down to the firebox or the foundation, is rare and needed only when the structure itself has failed.

Rebuild Chimney Above Roofline

The part above the roof takes the most weather, so it is the part we rebuild most often. We take the brick down by hand, save sound units if you want the old look, and lay the new courses in mortar that suits the brick. The flue liner, crown, flashing and cap all go back as part of the same job.

A chimney reconstruction above the roofline follows Florida Building Code, Residential, Section R1003, and NFPA 211 for the flue and clearances. Where the local building department needs a permit, we arrange it before work starts.

Leaning Chimney Repair

A leaning chimney needs a careful look before anything is promised. A lean in the top section above the roof is usually a masonry problem, and rebuilding that section fixes it. A lean that starts at the base points to a footing problem, which may need a structural engineer before any chimney rebuilding goes ahead.

Until the cause is known, keep the fireplace out of use and keep people clear of the area below the stack.

Working With a Chimney Rebuild Contractor

Rebuilds are bigger jobs, so the written estimate breaks the work into its parts: demolition, brick and mortar, crown, liner work if needed, flashing and cap. As a chimney rebuild contractor we also tell you what the roof around the chimney will need, so you can plan with your roofer.