What Is a Chimney Rebuild & When Is It Needed?

Chimney rebuilding is a serious job that should be done only when there’s no other way to get the chimney into a safe operational state. When rebuilding is required, you should hire a chimney mason who has the training and experience to do the job right.

American Chimney & Fireplace of Louisville, KY, would like to cover what happens during a chimney rebuild and why this work sometimes has to be done.

Types of chimney rebuilding

A chimney can be rebuilt:

• From the ground up
• From the roofline up
• Between the ground and the roofline

All rebuilds must begin with a proper chimney inspection. This is the only way to know the extent of the damage and to determine if a rebuild is needed.

What causes severe chimney damage?

A common cause is plain old age. There comes a time in the life of every chimney when its bricks and mortar finally wear out and it’s no longer cost-efficient (or safe) to keep doing repairs.

But other things can lead to severe damage before the normal end of the chimney’s lifespan.

• Lightning strikes
• Violent windstorms
• Pounding hail
• Falling trees or branches
• Unaddressed water damage that spreads
• Poor-quality bricks and mortar used to build the chimney

Spotting damage

You can clearly see major chimney damage, but lesser damage isn’t always noticed right away. Watch for these signs:

Flaking, cracked or loose chimney bricks

Whether damaged by water intrusion or a sudden weather event, compromised bricks can cause structural instability.

Damp patches on walls and the ceiling

This could indicate a roof leak or a leak within the chimney system that may be affecting the structure.

White stains on masonry

This happens when water penetrates bricks and leaches out naturally occurring salts.

Crumbling bricks and mortar

From the ground, your chimney may look fine, but when you get closer, you might notice areas of crumbling masonry on the roof near the chimney.

Musty smells from the fireplace

These odors may mean that water is getting into the interior chimney.
The above signs don’t necessarily mean that your chimney has to be rebuilt. But they do point to situations that could lead to the need for a partial or complete rebuild at some point. Call your chimney company if you spot any of these signs.

Key objectives in a chimney rebuild

During a chimney rebuilding project, the chimney mason will work to achieve the following:

• A solid structure built from top-quality bricks and the strongest mortar.
• A uniform look – this is particularly important when rebuilding only sections of the chimney.
• Compliance with state and local building code regulations.
• A properly built chimney crown, if necessary.
• A chimney liner that’s correctly sized for the fireplace or other appliance. (Minor rebuilds usually don’t include adding a new chimney liner.)
• Proper installation of a chimney cap, top-mount damper, chimney flashing or other components as required.

Get your chimney inspected

Basic chimney inspections should happen once a year. When a chimney is damaged, an inspection should be your first step toward resolving the problem.

In the greater Louisville, KY, region, call American Chimney & Fireplace for licensed chimney inspections, chimney repairs and all levels of chimney rebuilding done according to code. Reach us by phone or through our contact form.