Full rebuilds
The whole chimney is taken down and built new for chimneys that have separated from the house.
Masonry Repair
Chimney Rebuilding Severn, MD
When a Severn chimney is too damaged to repair brick by brick, rebuilding the failed section is often the safer and longer-lasting fix, with new brick, flue tiles, crown and flashing. One call to (443) 899-3081 reaches a nearby chimney rebuilding pro.
Rebuilding is for chimneys where the damage has gone past what repointing and brick replacement can fix. The usual cause is years of water getting into the masonry, freezing and breaking the mortar and brick apart from the top down. Foundation movement, lightning, high winds and chimney fires can do it too.
In most cases, only the part above the roofline needs to be rebuilt. Because the top of the chimney is fully exposed, it often deteriorates while the lower part stays solid, which makes a partial rebuild the common choice. A full rebuild from the foundation is reserved for chimneys that are leaning badly, separating from the house or failing all the way down.
Starting fresh means the new chimney can be built to do its job better. The new chimney is built with a sound crown, correct flashing and a flue sized to the appliance. Height can be corrected too, since chimneys should rise at least three feet above the roof and two feet above anything within ten feet.
Chimney Rebuilding is often paired with chimney masonry repair and chimney tuckpointing, depending on the cause.
Looking for Severn chimney rebuilding? Call (443) 899-3081 and describe the problem to a chimney sweep who works in Severn.
Call nowThe process
How chimney rebuilding works
Rebuilding a chimney involves several steps, from inspection to the new cap.
Inspect the chimney
The chimney is checked from the roof, attic and inside the flue to see how much needs to come down. The appliance the chimney serves is noted, since it shapes the new flue.
Set the scope
The plan covers where the rebuild starts, the brick to be used, the flue liner, crown design, flashing and chimney height. Some areas require a permit for chimney rebuilds, so ask about local rules.
Protect the house
Tarps, roof protection and scaffolding or roof brackets are set up before demolition. The fireplace is sealed off to keep dust out of the house.
Take it down
The damaged masonry is taken down brick by brick to a sound course. Good brick can be salvaged for reuse.
Rebuild the chimney
The mason rebuilds the masonry around a new flue. Proper clearance between the masonry and combustible framing is maintained.
Seal it up
A new crown with an overhang and drip edge is cast, new step and counter flashing is installed and a cap is set over the flue. A breathable water repellent may be applied once the mortar cures.
What is included
Rebuild work a chimney mason handles
New crowns
A new crown is cast with an overhang and drip edge with an expansion joint at the flue tile.
New flashing
New step and counter flashing is installed at the roof instead of reusing old metal.
New flue liners
The rebuilt section gets new flue tiles or a liner so the inside is as sound as the outside.
Partial rebuilds
The top portion is rebuilt with new brick, crown and flashing.
Related service
Chimney Removal Severn, MD
Chimney removal is an option when a chimney is no longer used and would need major repairs to keep. Many removals take the chimney down below the roof, cap the remaining masonry and patch the roof. Full removal is a bigger project that involves the interior of the house as well as the roof.
Before any chimney in Severn is removed, it is important to confirm nothing still vents through it. If a heating appliance or water heater uses the chimney, it has to be vented another way before removal. The chimney may also carry structural load, and older chimneys can contain materials that should be tested before demolition.
Local help
Chimney Rebuilding Near Me
Chimney rebuilds in Severn usually come after years of water and frost working on the top of the chimney. Across Severn and nearby places including Gambrills, Jessup, Odenton and Elkridge, seasonal rain and freeze-thaw slowly loosen the top courses until rebuilding is the only lasting fix, and a well-built crown and cap protect the new work for years.
Searching for chimney rebuilding near me from Severn or Gambrills, Jessup, Odenton and Elkridge? Call (443) 899-3081 to talk to a chimney sweep who works in your part of town.
How the weather here affects chimneys around Severn
Cold winters keep fireplaces, wood stoves and oil burners working for half the year or more. Masonry takes the worst of it from the freeze and thaw cycle: water soaks into brick, mortar joints and the crown on a mild day, freezes overnight and expands, and each winter widens the cracks a little more. Wind driven rain from coastal storms finds any gap in flashing, too. That is why chimney cleaning in Severn is usually booked in the fall, before the first cold night.
Why call
Why fix it now
Safer fires
A chimney problem fixed early rarely spreads to the masonry, the liner or the house.
Sweeps who know Severn
Chimney sweeps in Severn know the chimneys and fireplaces common in local homes.
Clear next steps
Ask the sweep about the cause, the options and the estimate before work starts.
Common questions about chimney rebuilding
How do I know if my chimney needs to be rebuilt?
Rebuilding is typically needed when the masonry is loose, leaning or badly deteriorated over large areas. Limited damage can be fixed with repointing and brick replacement. An inspection shows where sound masonry starts and how much needs to come down.
Can a rebuilt chimney match the original brick?
The mason works to match the original look using similar brick and mortar. Reclaimed brick may be used to get a closer match. It is worth reviewing brick samples ahead of time.
Should I remove an unused chimney?
For an unused chimney, removal can be more practical than a major rebuild. Any appliance that vents through the chimney must be given another vent first. Partial removal below the roofline is the most common choice, while full removal is a larger job involving the interior.
What is the difference between a partial and full chimney rebuild?
The partial option rebuilds just the failed portion, usually the part above the roof. A full rebuild replaces the entire chimney from the footing. Leaning or separated chimneys usually need the full option.
What should I do about a leaning chimney?
A chimney that leans can fall, and it can also crack the flue. Keep people and pets away from the area below and avoid using the fireplace or any appliance vented through it until it is checked. A lean often means a foundation or footing problem, which usually calls for a full rebuild.
More questions? Call (443) 899-3081
Often needed together
Chimney Masonry Repair
Fixing the brick, stone and mortar that hold a chimney together, before freeze-thaw damage spreads.
Learn moreChimney Tuckpointing
Grinding out worn mortar joints and packing them with fresh, matched mortar, before loose brick starts to shift.
Learn moreChimney Crown Repair
Repairing the concrete slab that caps the top of the chimney, before freeze-thaw damage spreads down the chimney.
Learn moreChimney Flashing Repair
Resealing or replacing the step flashing, counter flashing and cricket where the chimney meets the roof, with proper metal work instead of another coat of tar.
Learn more
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Call (443) 899-3081 for a local chimney sweep in Severn and nearby towns.
(443) 899-3081
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