Roofline rebuilds
The exposed section above the roof is taken down and rebuilt which is the most common type of rebuild.
Masonry Repair
Chimney Rebuilding Folsom, PA
When a Folsom chimney is too damaged to repair brick by brick, rebuilding the failed section is often the safer and longer-lasting fix, built to meet current height and clearance rules. Call (484) 470-7034 to reach a local chimney sweep.
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. Settling foundations, chimney fires and storm damage can also leave a chimney unsound.
Most rebuilds are partial rather than full. 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.
A rebuild is also a chance to fix how the chimney was built. A rebuilt chimney gets a new crown, new flashing and a properly sized flue, instead of reusing failing parts. It can also be built to the right height, at least three feet above the roof where it passes through and two feet higher than anything within ten feet, the common rule for proper draft and fire safety.
Many chimney rebuilding calls in Folsom also turn up a need for chimney masonry repair or chimney tuckpointing.
Dealing with this in Folsom, PA right now? Call (484) 470-7034 to talk to a local chimney sweep.
Call nowThe process
The chimney rebuilding process
Here is how a chimney mason typically handles a rebuild.
Inspect the chimney
The mason inspects the chimney to find where the masonry is still sound and how far down the damage goes. A Level 2 inspection with a camera is common before a rebuild.
Design the new chimney
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.
Prep the site
Tarps, roof protection and scaffolding or roof brackets are set up before demolition. The fireplace is sealed off to keep dust out of the house.
Take it down
The damaged masonry is taken down brick by brick to a sound course. Salvaged brick helps the new section blend in.
Rebuild the chimney
The mason rebuilds the masonry around a new flue. Clearance to wood framing is kept as required by code.
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. A breathable water repellent may be applied once the mortar cures.
What is included
Rebuild work a chimney mason handles
Crown work
A new crown is cast with an overhang and drip edge to protect the new brick.
Flue replacement
The flue is replaced during the rebuild for safe venting.
New flashing
New step and counter flashing is installed at the roof instead of reusing old metal.
Foundation rebuilds
A full rebuild starts at the footing so the chimney stands straight again.
Related service
Chimney Removal Folsom, 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. Full removal is a bigger project that involves the interior of the house as well as the roof.
In Folsom, the first step in chimney removal is making sure no appliance relies on it. If a heating appliance or water heater uses the chimney, it has to be vented another way before removal. Ask whether the chimney supports any framing and whether any old materials need testing, and check whether a permit is required.
Local help
Chimney Rebuilding Near Me
In Folsom, partial rebuilds from the roofline up are far more common than full rebuilds. Homes in Folsom and nearby towns like Ridley Park, Prospect Park, Swarthmore and Morton include plenty of older brick chimneys where the exposed top has broken down while the lower section is still solid, and a well-built crown and cap protect the new work for years.
For chimney rebuilding in Folsom, PA or nearby towns like Ridley Park, Prospect Park, Swarthmore and Morton, call (484) 470-7034 to reach a chimney sweep who covers your street.
What the local climate does to a chimney
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, which is how cracks, loose bricks and leaks start. Wind driven rain from coastal storms finds any gap in flashing, too. Most homeowners in Folsom, 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
Local sweeps see the same chimney types and weather wear across Folsom and nearby towns.
Know what happens next
Ask your questions before you agree to anything.
Common questions about chimney rebuilding
Should I remove an unused chimney?
If the chimney serves no purpose, removal is worth considering. Any appliance that vents through the chimney must be given another vent first. Partial removal below the roofline is the most common choice, while full removal is a larger job involving the interior.
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 takes the chimney down to the foundation and builds it new. Leaning or separated chimneys usually need the full option.
What should I do about a leaning chimney?
A leaning chimney is a real safety risk and should be inspected soon. Do not use anything that vents through it, and keep the ground below clear. The cause is often the footing, so the fix may involve rebuilding from the ground.
When does a chimney need rebuilding instead of repair?
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. Limited damage can be fixed with repointing and brick replacement. An inspection shows where sound masonry starts and how much needs to come down.
Will a rebuilt chimney match my house?
Matching the existing brick and mortar is part of a quality rebuild. Reclaimed brick may be used to get a closer match. Exact matches can be hard with very old brick, so ask to see options before work starts.
More questions? Call (484) 470-7034
Other services that may help
Chimney Masonry Repair
Fixing the brick, stone and mortar that hold a chimney together, before freeze-thaw damage spreads.
Learn moreChimney Tuckpointing
Replacing crumbling mortar between chimney bricks, in a color and joint style that blends with the old work.
Learn moreChimney Crown Repair
Fixing cracked, thin or crumbling chimney crowns, 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 Folsom
Call (484) 470-7034 for a local chimney sweep in Folsom and nearby towns.
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