Services / Chimney Rebuilds
Chimney Rebuilds, Partial and Full
When a chimney is past repair, we rebuild it from the roofline or from the ground up to match your home.
- Starts with
- An inspection and a written estimate
- Scope
- From the roofline or from the ground up
- Weather
- Dry conditions, with canopies when needed
When Patching Won't Hold
Mortar and brick can only be repaired so many times. Once water has worked deep into a chimney, or the structure has shifted, new mortar over old damage won't last. A rebuild takes the chimney down to sound masonry and builds it back up with new brick, new mortar, and a new crown.
Signs a Chimney May Need Rebuilding
- The chimney leans or has pulled away from the house
- Loose or missing bricks across a wide area
- Mortar that crumbles to the touch on most joints
- Long cracks running through several courses of brick
- Damage that came back after earlier repairs
- Visible shifting or cracking after an earthquake
Repair or Rebuild: How to Tell
The chimney is structurally sound and the damage is limited to joints, the crown, or a few bricks.
The section above the roofline is failing, but the masonry below it is solid. We take it down to the roofline and rebuild from there.
The damage or movement runs below the roofline. We rebuild the chimney from the ground up.
How It Works
- We inspect and explain.Your technician checks how far the damage goes and shows you photos.
- You get a written estimate.It states whether a repair, a partial rebuild, or a full rebuild is needed, and why.
- We rebuild.Once you approve, we take down the failed masonry and rebuild with brick matched to your home.
- We show you the result.You get photos of the finished work.
Before Your Visit
- Move vehicles and anything fragile away from the chimney side of the house
- Plan for the fireplace to be out of use until the work is finished
- Expect scaffolding and materials on site during the job
- Look at the brick samples with us before work starts
What Affects the Cost
- How far down the chimney the rebuild goes
- The height and size of the chimney
- Scaffolding and roof access
- The brick that has to be matched
- The condition of the flue liner
Every rebuild starts with an inspection and a written estimate, so you know the scope before any work begins.
Related Services
If the chimney is sound and only needs joints, crown, or flashing work, see Chimney Repair & Masonry.
To protect new masonry from rain, see Chimney Caps & Waterproofing.
Common Questions
- How long does a rebuild take?
- It depends on the scope and the weather. A rebuild from the roofline up is shorter work than a full rebuild from the ground. Your estimate will include an expected timeline.
- Will the new brick match my house?
- We match brick color, size, and mortar joints as closely as possible. An exact match on older brick isn't always available, and we show you samples first.
- Can you work in the rain?
- Mortar needs dry conditions to cure, so we schedule around the weather and set up canopies over the work area when needed.
- Can I use the fireplace during the work?
- No. The fireplace stays out of use until the rebuild is finished.
- Does a rebuild need a permit?
- Requirements vary by city and by the scope of the work. We tell you what applies to your job when we give you the estimate.
Serving the Greater Seattle and Puget Sound region.