New crowns
The rebuilt chimney gets a proper crown with an expansion joint at the flue tile.
Masonry Repair
Chimney Rebuilding Abington, PA
When an Abington chimney is too damaged to repair brick by brick, rebuilding the failed section is often the safer and longer-lasting fix, so it stands straight and sheds water again. One call to (267) 715-3132 reaches a nearby chimney rebuilding pro.
Rebuilding is for chimneys where the damage has gone past what repointing and brick replacement can fix. Long-term water damage and freeze-thaw are behind nearly every chimney that needs rebuilding. 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. The section above the roof takes the most weather, so it usually fails first, and rebuilding from the roofline up leaves the sound masonry below untouched. 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. A rebuilt chimney gets a new crown, new flashing and a properly sized flue, instead of reusing failing parts. If the old chimney was too short to draft well, the rebuild can bring it up to the common three-foot, two-foot, ten-foot height rule.
Many chimney rebuilding calls in Abington also turn up a need for chimney masonry repair or chimney tuckpointing.
Dealing with this in Abington, PA right now? Call (267) 715-3132 and describe the problem to a chimney sweep who works in Abington.
Call nowThe process
How chimney rebuilding works
Here is how a chimney mason typically handles a rebuild.
Inspect the chimney
A full inspection determines whether a partial or full rebuild is needed. A Level 2 inspection with a camera is common before a rebuild.
Plan the rebuild
The plan covers where the rebuild starts, the brick to be used, the flue liner, crown design, flashing and chimney height. Permits may be needed depending on local building rules.
Set up safely
Tarps, roof protection and scaffolding or roof brackets are set up before demolition. The firebox opening is covered to keep debris and dust contained.
Remove failing masonry
The chimney is dismantled by hand down to solid masonry. Good brick can be salvaged for reuse.
Build it back
The mason rebuilds the masonry around a new flue. Clearance to wood framing is kept as required by code.
Seal it up
The rebuild is finished with a proper crown, new flashing at the roof and a screened cap. The new masonry can be treated with a vapor-permeable repellent after curing.
What is included
Rebuild work a chimney mason handles
Flue replacement
A new flue is installed as the chimney goes up for safe venting.
Foundation rebuilds
A full rebuild starts at the footing for chimneys that have separated from the house.
Partial rebuilds
The exposed section above the roof is taken down and rebuilt with new brick, crown and flashing.
New flashing
New step and counter flashing is installed at the roof instead of reusing old metal.
Related service
Chimney Removal Abington, PA
Some homeowners choose to remove an unused chimney rather than rebuild it. The most common approach is removing the chimney down to below the roofline, then closing the roof deck and shingling over it. A full removal takes the chimney down to the foundation and requires patching floors, walls and ceilings inside the house.
Before any chimney in Abington is removed, it is important to confirm nothing still vents through it. Gas or oil appliances that use the flue need new venting first, or exhaust and carbon monoxide could back into the house. A chimney can support framing, so the plan should account for that, and some older chimney materials need testing before they are disturbed.
Local help
Chimney Rebuilding Near Me
In Abington, partial rebuilds from the roofline up are far more common than full rebuilds. Homes in Abington and nearby towns like Roslyn, Willow Grove, Jenkintown and Glenside include plenty of older brick chimneys where the exposed top has broken down while the lower section is still solid, which is why annual inspections pay off.
Searching for chimney rebuilding near me from Abington or Roslyn, Willow Grove, Jenkintown and Glenside? Call (267) 715-3132 to talk to a chimney sweep who works in your part of town.
How the weather here affects chimneys around Abington
Winters here are long and cold, and the heating season usually runs from October well into April. Masonry takes the worst of it from the freeze and thaw cycle: rain and melting snow soak into the crown and joints, then freeze and push them apart, and each winter widens the cracks a little more. Wind driven rain from coastal storms finds any gap in flashing, too. Most homeowners in Abington, PA schedule a sweep in early fall, and a repair check after a hard winter.
Why call
Why fix it now
Safer fires
A chimney problem fixed early rarely spreads to the masonry, the liner or the house.
Familiar with local homes
Chimney sweeps in Abington know the chimneys and fireplaces common in local homes.
Know what happens next
Ask the sweep about the cause, the options and the estimate before work starts.
Common questions about chimney rebuilding
What should I do about a leaning chimney?
A leaning chimney is a real safety risk and should be inspected soon. Keep people and pets away from the area below and avoid using the fireplace or any appliance vented through it until it is checked. Leaning chimneys commonly need a full rebuild.
Will a rebuilt chimney match my house?
The mason works to match the original look using similar brick and mortar. Reusing sound original brick helps the new section blend in. Ask to see brick and mortar samples before the job begins.
What is the difference between a partial and full chimney rebuild?
A partial rebuild takes the chimney down to sound masonry, usually at or near the roofline, and rebuilds from there. Full rebuilds start at the base. The partial option is far more common, and a full rebuild is reserved for chimneys that are unsound throughout.
How do I know if my chimney needs to be rebuilt?
A chimney usually needs rebuilding when it leans, pulls away from the house, has loose bricks that lift out by hand or has widespread crumbling masonry. If the damage is limited to a few bricks or some joints, repair is usually enough. An inspection shows where sound masonry starts and how much needs to come down.
Should I remove an unused chimney?
For an unused chimney, removal can be more practical than a major rebuild. First confirm that no furnace, boiler or water heater vents into it, since those need new venting before removal. Taking it down below the roof and roofing over it is the common approach.
More questions? Call (267) 715-3132
Other services that may help
Chimney Masonry Repair
Brick and mortar repair for weathered or damaged chimneys, with materials matched to the original masonry.
Learn moreChimney Tuckpointing
Replacing crumbling mortar between chimney bricks, so rain stops getting in through the joints.
Learn moreChimney Crown Repair
Sealing cracked chimney crowns or rebuilding crumbling ones, with a proper overhang and drip edge.
Learn moreChimney Flashing Repair
Resealing or replacing the step flashing, counter flashing and cricket where the chimney meets the roof, to stop leaks at the roof line for good.
Learn more
Looking for something else?
See all chimney servicesGet chimney rebuilding help in Abington
Call (267) 715-3132 to talk to a chimney sweep serving Abington, PA.
(267) 715-3132
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