Chimney Repair & Rebuilding Services

Why Your Chimney Needs Attention

Your chimney does more than just vent smoke. It protects your home from fire, directs dangerous gases safely outside, and stands up to extreme heat and weather day after day. But all that stress takes a toll. Cracks develop, mortar crumbles, and bricks loosen. What looks like a small problem on the outside might be hiding serious damage inside.

A damaged chimney is not something you can put off. It can let water into your home, causing rot and mold in your walls and attic. It can also create carbon monoxide hazards or even chimney fires. Every year, thousands of house fires start in damaged chimneys. The good news is that most of these problems are preventable with proper repairs and regular maintenance.

We have been repairing and rebuilding chimneys in Tuscaloosa, AL for years. We understand the unique challenges that our climate creates for chimneys, from summer humidity to winter freezes. When you call us, we do a thorough inspection to find all the problems, not just the obvious ones. Then we give you straight answers about what needs fixing and why. If you need related work, we also offer comprehensive masonry services for your entire home.

Warning Signs Your Chimney Needs Repair

Your chimney tells you when something is wrong. You just need to know what to look for. Here are the most common warning signs that mean you should call us:

• White staining on the outside: This is called efflorescence, and it means water is getting into your chimney. The water dissolves salts in the brick and brings them to the surface.
• Crumbling mortar joints: When the mortar between bricks starts falling out, your chimney is losing its structural strength. This needs fixing before bricks start falling.
• Damaged chimney crown: The concrete cap on top of your chimney protects everything below it. Cracks in the crown let water pour straight down into your chimney.
• Rust on the damper or firebox: Rust means moisture is getting in somewhere it should not be. That moisture is probably damaging other parts you cannot see.
• Shaling flue tiles: If you see thin pieces of tile in your fireplace, your flue liner is breaking apart. This is a serious safety issue.
• Leaning or tilting chimney: A chimney that is not perfectly vertical has foundation problems. This needs immediate attention before it gets worse.

Do not wait until small problems become big emergencies. If you notice any of these signs, give us a call. We will come out, inspect your chimney thoroughly, and tell you exactly what is going on. Sometimes the fix is simple. Other times you might need more extensive work. Either way, we give you honest recommendations based on what is actually wrong, not what we wish to sell you.

Our Complete Chimney Services

We handle every type of chimney problem you might have. Here is what we do.

Chimney Repairs

For chimneys with moderate damage, repairs can fix the problems and extend the life of your chimney for many more years. We repair cracked crowns, replace damaged flue liners, fix flashing that is letting water in, and rebuild sections that have deteriorated. We use high-quality materials designed specifically for chimney work because regular materials will not hold up to the heat and weather exposure. Our brick repair expertise ensures lasting results.

Chimney Rebuilding

Sometimes a chimney is too far gone for simple repairs. Maybe it has been neglected for too long, or it was built wrong in the first place. When that happens, a partial or complete rebuild is the safest option. We tear down the damaged sections and build them back correctly using proper techniques and materials. The result is a chimney that will last for decades with normal maintenance.

Tuckpointing and Repointing

The mortar joints in your chimney wear out faster than the brick itself. When that happens, we remove the old mortar and replace it with fresh mortar that matches your chimney. This process is called tuckpointing or repointing, and it is one of the most important maintenance tasks for any chimney. We also provide specialized tuckpointing services for all masonry structures.

Waterproofing

After we repair or rebuild your chimney, we can apply a breathable waterproofing sealer. This keeps water out while still letting moisture vapor escape from inside the masonry. It is cheap insurance against future damage and can dramatically extend the time between maintenance needs.

Frequently Asked Questions