Crown work
A new crown is cast with an overhang and drip edge with an expansion joint at the flue tile.
Masonry Repair
Chimney Rebuilding Sewickley, PA
When a Sewickley 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 (412) 663-3115 reaches a nearby chimney rebuilding pro.
Some chimneys reach a point where patching costs more over time than rebuilding the damaged section. The usual cause is years of water getting into the masonry, freezing and breaking the mortar and brick apart from the top down. 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 exposed top section breaks down fastest, so a rebuild from the roof deck up is usually enough. 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. The new section can include a new flue liner, a crown with an overhang and drip edge, proper step and counter flashing and a cap. Height can be corrected too, since chimneys should rise at least three feet above the roof and two feet above anything within ten feet.
Many chimney rebuilding calls in Sewickley also turn up a need for chimney masonry repair or chimney tuckpointing.
Looking for Sewickley chimney rebuilding? Call (412) 663-3115 to reach a nearby chimney sweep.
Call nowThe process
What happens during a chimney rebuild
A rebuild is a bigger project than a repair, so planning matters.
Assess the structure
A full inspection determines whether a partial or full rebuild is needed. A Level 2 inspection with a camera is common before a rebuild.
Design the new chimney
The mason lays out the scope, materials and any height changes. Ask whether the work needs a permit where you live.
Set up safely
The roof, landscaping and the fireplace opening are protected, and access is set up for safe roof work. The fireplace is sealed off to keep dust out of the house.
Demolish to sound brick
The damaged masonry is taken down brick by brick to a sound course. Good brick can be salvaged for reuse.
Rebuild the chimney
The mason rebuilds the masonry around a new flue. The rebuild keeps the required air space to nearby wood.
Top it off
A new crown with an overhang and drip edge is cast, new step and counter flashing is installed and a cap is set over the flue. The new masonry can be treated with a vapor-permeable repellent after curing.
What is included
Rebuild work a chimney mason handles
Foundation rebuilds
The whole chimney is taken down and built new so the chimney stands straight again.
Roofline rebuilds
The top portion is rebuilt with new brick, crown and flashing.
Flashing work
Flashing is replaced where the chimney meets the roof so the new chimney stays dry.
New flue liners
The flue is replaced during the rebuild for safe venting.
Related service
Chimney Removal Sewickley, PA
Chimney removal is an option when a chimney is no longer used and would need major repairs to keep. Many removals take the chimney down below the roof, cap the remaining masonry and patch the roof. Full removal is a bigger project that involves the interior of the house as well as the roof.
In Sewickley, the first step in chimney removal is making sure no appliance relies on it. Gas or oil appliances that use the flue need new venting first, or exhaust and carbon monoxide could back into the house. The chimney may also carry structural load, and older chimneys can contain materials that should be tested before demolition.
Local help
Chimney Rebuilding Near Me
Chimney rebuilds in Sewickley usually come after years of water and frost working on the top of the chimney. Across Sewickley and nearby places including Coraopolis, Ambridge, Franklin Park and Avalon, seasonal rain and freeze-thaw slowly loosen the top courses until rebuilding is the only lasting fix, so catching damage early can keep a rebuild partial instead of full.
For chimney rebuilding in Sewickley, PA or nearby towns like Coraopolis, Ambridge, Franklin Park and Avalon, call (412) 663-3115 to reach a chimney sweep who covers your street.
Chimneys in this climate
Winters here are long and cold, and the heating season usually runs from October well into April. The hardest thing on brick here is not the cold itself but the constant swing above and below freezing: rain and melting snow soak into the crown and joints, then freeze and push them apart, which is how cracks, loose bricks and leaks start. Nor'easters drive rain sideways into flashing and mortar that looked fine in summer. Most homeowners in Sewickley, PA schedule a sweep in early fall, and a repair check after a hard winter.
Why call
Why fix it now
Smaller repairs
A chimney problem fixed early rarely spreads to the masonry, the liner or the house.
Familiar with local homes
Chimney sweeps in Sewickley know the chimneys and fireplaces common in local homes.
Straight answers
Ask the sweep about the cause, the options and the estimate before work starts.
Common questions about chimney rebuilding
Will a rebuilt chimney match my house?
A good rebuild aims to match the original brick in size, color and texture, and the mortar in color and joint style. Reclaimed brick may be used to get a closer match. It is worth reviewing brick samples ahead of time.
Should I remove an unused chimney?
Removing a chimney is an option if you no longer use it. First confirm that no furnace, boiler or water heater vents into it, since those need new venting before removal. Many people remove the part above the roof and patch the roof, which is simpler than full removal.
What should I do about a leaning chimney?
A visibly leaning chimney deserves prompt attention. Keep people and pets away from the area below and avoid using the fireplace or any appliance vented through it until it is checked. The cause is often the footing, so the fix may involve rebuilding from the ground.
What is the difference between a partial and full chimney rebuild?
The partial option rebuilds just the failed portion, usually the part above the roof. A full rebuild replaces the entire chimney from the footing. 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?
Signs include a lean, separation from the house, loose courses and widespread spalling. If the damage is limited to a few bricks or some joints, repair is usually enough. A chimney inspection settles whether repair or rebuilding makes sense.
More questions? Call (412) 663-3115
Related services
Chimney Masonry Repair
Fixing the brick, stone and mortar that hold a chimney together, with materials matched to the original masonry.
Learn moreChimney Tuckpointing
Replacing crumbling mortar between chimney bricks, before loose brick starts to shift.
Learn moreChimney Crown Repair
Fixing cracked, thin or crumbling chimney crowns, before freeze-thaw damage spreads down the chimney.
Learn moreChimney Flashing Repair
Fixing loose, rusted or tar-patched flashing around the chimney, so rain runs off instead of into the attic.
Learn more
Looking for something else?
See all chimney servicesTalk to a Sewickley chimney sweep about chimney rebuilding
Call (412) 663-3115 for a local chimney sweep in Sewickley and nearby towns.
(412) 663-3115
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