When a Chimney Rebuild in Dallas Makes Sense
Most chimney problems can be fixed with a repair. A rebuild is for the times when the brick and mortar can no longer hold together. We look at the whole chimney before we suggest one, and we show you the photos so you can see the same thing we see.
These are the most common reasons a Dallas chimney needs to be rebuilt:
- Bricks that move when you push them, or bricks that have fallen onto the roof
- Mortar joints so worn that you can see daylight or push a key into them
- A chimney that leans or has a gap where it meets the wall of the house
- Spalling brick, where the face of the brick flakes or pops off
- Water damage inside the house that keeps coming back after repairs
- Storm damage from hail, high wind, lightning or a falling limb
Partial vs. Full Chimney Rebuild
A partial rebuild is the most common job. We take the chimney down to solid brick, usually at or just above the roofline, and lay it back up with new mortar and a new crown. The part above the roof takes the most rain, sun and wind, so it wears out first.
A full rebuild takes the chimney down to the footing and builds it again. This is for chimneys with damage from top to bottom, or chimneys that have tipped away from the house.
| Partial rebuild | Full rebuild | |
|---|---|---|
| How much comes down | Top section, often to the roofline | Whole chimney to the footing |
| Common causes | Worn mortar, spalling brick, storm damage | Leaning, separation from the house, failed footing |
| New crown | Yes | Yes |
| Flue liner checked | Yes | Yes, often replaced |
| Price | Free written estimate | Free written estimate |
Chimney Restoration
Not every old chimney needs to come down. Restoration means fixing what is there and keeping as much of the original brick as possible. That can include chimney tuckpointing to replace worn mortar joints, resetting loose bricks, replacing a few spalled bricks and sealing the brick so it sheds water.
In older homes around Lakewood, the M Streets and Lake Highlands, many chimneys were built in the 1940s through the 1970s. The brick is often still sound, but the mortar has worn out. Fixing the joints early is the cheapest way to avoid a rebuild later. We match the mortar color as closely as we can so the repair blends in.
Leaning Chimneys and Dallas Clay Soil
Much of Dallas sits on heavy clay soil that swells when it is wet and shrinks when it dries out. A brick chimney is very heavy, and it often sits on its own footing. When the soil under that footing moves, the chimney can tip away from the house, crack, or pull away from the wall.
Signs of a leaning chimney include a gap between the chimney and the siding, cracks in the wall around the fireplace, or flashing that has torn loose on the roof. If the foundation itself is still moving, a foundation contractor or structural engineer should look at it first. Rebuilding the chimney on ground that is still moving will not last. Once the base is stable, we rebuild the chimney and seal it to the roof.
Storm Damage and Chimney Repair
Spring storms in North Texas bring hail, high wind and lightning. Hail cracks crowns and chips brick. Wind can knock a cap loose or crack the top courses. Lightning can blow bricks off the top of a chimney.
After a storm, we check the chimney from the roof and send you photos. Small damage is usually a chimney repair, not a rebuild. If your insurance company needs proof, our photo report shows the damage and where it is.
Chimney Crown Repair
The crown is the concrete slab on top of the chimney. It sheds water away from the brick and the flue. A cracked crown lets water soak into the masonry, and in a cold snap that water freezes and breaks the brick from the inside.
Every rebuild gets a new crown. If your brick is still in good shape and only the top slab is cracked, chimney crown repair may be all you need.
How a Chimney Rebuild Works
- Inspect. We check the brick, mortar, crown, flashing and flue. If we need to see inside the flue, we recommend a Level 2 chimney inspection.
- Estimate. You get a free written estimate with photos, the scope of work and the price.
- Permits. We tell you if a permit is needed for your job and city.
- Protect. We cover the roof, plants and walkways below the chimney.
- Take it down. We remove brick down to a solid base and clean up as we go.
- Rebuild. New brick and mortar, matched as closely as we can, and a new crown.
- Seal it. We reset or replace the chimney flashing where the chimney meets the roof, then show you the finished work.
For more on keeping brick dry after the work is done, see chimney waterproofing. The Chimney Safety Institute of America also has plain guides for homeowners on chimney care.
Book a Chimney Rebuild Estimate in Dallas
Chimney Sweep Keepers Dallas is a veteran-owned, family-run company at 6041 Village Bend Dr, near White Rock Lake. We serve Dallas, Highland Park, University Park, Richardson, Garland, Plano and nearby cities. Call (469) 206-2085, 7 days a week from 7 AM to 11 PM, and we will set up a time to look at your chimney and give you a free written estimate.
