Brick chimney repair in Northwest Indiana and Chicagoland

Chimney problems we repair

• Cracked or spalling brick. Brick that is cracked, or whose face is flaking off, lets water into the chimney.
• Deteriorating mortar. Mortar joints that are crumbling, sandy, or recessed behind the brick face can be repaired by tuckpointing.
• Leaks. Water on a ceiling or wall next to the chimney, or inside the fireplace area.

Where chimney leaks come from

A chimney leak usually comes from one of three places:

• The masonry. Brick and mortar absorb water. Cracked brick and open mortar joints let more in, and freeze-thaw cycles make the damage worse each winter.
• The top of the chimney. The crown, the concrete or mortar surface around the flue, can crack and let water straight into the chimney. A missing or damaged cap lets rain into the flue.
• The flashing. Flashing seals the joint where the chimney meets the roof. If it is loose, rusted or pulled away from the brick, water runs down behind it.

Because the cause can be the brick, the top of the chimney or the roof around it, we look at all three before recommending a repair.

White stains on brick

White, powdery deposits on brick are called efflorescence. They form when water moves through the masonry and leaves salts behind on the surface. The stain itself is harmless, but it shows that water is getting into the brick.

When the problem is not the masonry

Some chimney problems, such as a damaged flue liner or fireplace issues, are separate from the outside brickwork. If we find a problem outside the work we do, we will tell you.

Service area

We currently serve these towns for this service:

• Munster, IN
• Lansing, IL
• Hammond, IN
• Dyer, IN
• Schererville, IN
• Highland, IN
• Crown Point, IN
• Merrillville, IN
• Valparaiso, IN
• St. John, IN
• Cedar Lake, IN
• Griffith, IN
• Hobart, IN
• Portage, IN
• Chesterton, IN

Not on the list? Call (219) 743-0451 to ask about your address.

Roofing coverage: Porter County, Indiana · the Chicagoland area · Lake County, Indiana.

Common questions

Why does my chimney only leak in heavy rain?

Wind-driven rain hits the side of the chimney and can soak through porous brick and open mortar joints, or get behind loose flashing. Light rain may not reach those spots.

Is a leaning or loose chimney top dangerous?

Loose bricks near the top of a chimney can fall. If you see bricks shifting or missing, avoid the area below and call us to have it looked at.

Do I need tuckpointing or brick replacement on my chimney?

If the bricks are sound and only the mortar is failing, tuckpointing is usually enough. If bricks are cracked, spalling or loose, those bricks need to be replaced as well. See tuckpointing versus brick replacement.