Chicagoland Masonry & Concrete
Chimney Repair & Chimney Tuckpointing in Chicagoland
Your chimney takes more abuse than any other masonry element on your home. Spalling brick, crumbling crowns, and failed mortar joints let water in, causing interior damage and safety hazards.
Chimneys Are the Most Vulnerable Masonry on Your Home
A chimney is exposed on all four sides, subject to thermal cycling from flue gases, and sits at the highest point of the roof where it receives the full force of wind-driven rain and ice. Chicagoland chimneys, particularly on the older homes of Oak Park, River Forest, Hinsdale, and La Grange, are among the most common sources of interior water damage. Mortar joints erode from the top down. Crowns crack and allow pooling water directly into the chimney structure. Spalling brick faces expose the interior to moisture. Left unrepaired, chimney failures progress from cosmetic to structural quickly.
Failed Chimney Crown
The chimney crown (the concrete cap above the flashing) cracks, allowing water to pool directly inside the chimney structure. Crown failure is the leading cause of chimney water damage.
Mortar Joint Erosion
Chimney mortar erodes significantly faster than wall mortar due to direct top exposure to rain, freeze-thaw cycling, and flue gas chemistry.
Spalling Chimney Brick
Chimney brick spalling exposes the interior block or core structure to direct water infiltration, leading to accelerated structural deterioration.
Flashing Failures
Step flashing and counterflashing at the roof-chimney interface are common water entry points. Failed flashing causes water to enter the roof and wall assembly directly below the chimney.
Loose or Missing Caps
Chimney caps that are loose, cracked, or missing allow direct water entry into the flue, and allow animals to enter the structure.
What We Do & How We Do It
Chimney Crown Repair & Rebuilding
Cracked chimney crowns are rebuilt using properly formulated concrete crown mixes with control joints and sufficient overhang to direct water away from the chimney face.
Chimney Tuckpointing
All deteriorated mortar joints are raked and repointed with correctly specified mortar, from the base of the chimney to the crown. We match mortar type to the original specification.
Brick Repair & Replacement
Spalled and damaged chimney brick units are replaced using matching salvaged or new brick, with new mortar joints matched to the existing profile.
Flashing Repair & Replacement
Failed step and counter-flashing is repaired or replaced using lead-coated copper or aluminum flashing systems properly integrated with the roofing.
Water Repellent Application
After tuckpointing and repair, chimneys are treated with penetrating siloxane water repellents for maximum protection against future moisture infiltration.
Chimney Repair Is Far Less Expensive Than What It Prevents
Water damage from a failing chimney typically appears first in the living spaces directly below, water stains on ceilings, damp fireplace surrounds, and damaged wall finishes. Interior remediation of chimney-caused water damage routinely costs 5–10× the cost of the chimney repair that would have prevented it. Homeowners throughout Chicagoland, from the historic neighborhoods of Oak Park and River Forest to the large estates of Hinsdale and Burr Ridge, find that periodic chimney repair is among the best-return maintenance investments they make.
Why Chicagoland Masonry & Concrete
With over 50 years of combined experience, we have been repairing and restoring masonry and concrete across Chicagoland. We do not sub out work, we do not cut corners on mortar specification, and we do not recommend more than what your project actually needs.
Get a Free EstimateServing Chicagoland homeowners with 50+ years combined experience
Crew-owner involvement on every project, no subcontractors
Detailed written estimates with clear scope and pricing
All work warrantied against defects in materials and workmanship
Fully licensed, bonded, and insured in Illinois
We work with historic brick and non-standard mortar mixes
Serving Chicagoland's Premier Communities
We serve homeowners and property managers throughout the Chicago metropolitan area.
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Ready to Get Started?
Call us or submit a project request online. We provide written estimates with clear scope and pricing across all of Chicagoland.