Chimneys in Fort Lee, NJ

Most chimney leaks are not the chimney, they are the flashing where the chimney comes through the roof. That joint has to be done in two parts, a base flashing that goes under the shingles and a counter flashing that is cut into the brick above it. Done properly it lasts as long as the roof. Done with a bead of tar across the top, which is what we find constantly, it lasts a couple of winters.

The other half of the problem is the brick itself. Water gets into the mortar joints, freezes, and pushes the joints apart, and once the crown on top has cracked the whole stack takes water from above. That is why a chimney can look solid from the ground and be loose in the hand at the top.

We repoint, rebuild from the roofline up where the brick is past saving, recast crowns, and redo flashing as part of a roof or on its own. If the chimney is no longer in use, taking it down to the roof and closing the hole is often the honest recommendation, and we will say so.

On every one of these jobs

What the work covers

Base and counter flashing cut into the brick, not tarred over the top
Repointing where the mortar joints have opened up
Rebuilds from the roofline up where the brick is past repointing
New crown cast on top so the stack stops taking water from above
Caps fitted to keep rain and animals out of the flue
Waterproofing on the brick where it makes sense

Start to finish

The order we do it in

Inspection from the roof

We look at the flashing, the mortar joints, the crown and the cap. Photos of anything you cannot see from the ground.
Repair or rebuild

We tell you which one it needs and why. Repointing a stack that needs rebuilding is money thrown away.
Flashing done in two parts

Base flashing under the shingles, counter flashing cut into the brick. This is the part that stops the leak.
Masonry work

Joints raked and repointed, or brick taken down and rebuilt, with the crown recast on top.
Clean and check

Mortar cleaned off the roof, debris cleared, and the work walked with you.

Chimneys questions

Things people ask us

Water comes in near the chimney when it rains. Is the chimney bad?

Usually it is the flashing, not the brick. If somebody has smeared roof cement across the joint at some point, that is a strong sign. It needs proper base and counter flashing, which means cutting into the brick.

Can you repair a chimney without rebuilding the whole thing?

Often, yes. Damage is usually worst at the top where it takes the most weather, so rebuilding from the roofline up and recasting the crown deals with most of it while leaving the sound brick alone.

We do not use the fireplace any more. Do we have to keep the chimney?

No. If it is not in use and it needs real money spent on it, taking it down to the roof and closing the opening properly is often the better spend. We will tell you if that is the case.