Chimney repair in Athens GA - sound mortar and flashing that keep water out
Crumbling joints, loose brick or a ceiling stain near the chimney? We find what let water in, then refill the joints so they hold.
What's involved in fixing a chimney in Athens, GA?
Chimney repair in Athens usually means finding out why the mortar or brick is failing, fixing that first, then repointing, raking out the worn mortar and packing the joints with fresh mortar so the chimney sheds water and stays solid.
Most people call us when mortar is sanding out of the joints, a brick near the top has cracked or come loose, or a water stain shows up inside by the chimney. The price moves with how much of the chimney needs new mortar, how many bricks have to be replaced, how high and steep your roof is, and whether the flashing has to be redone. The schedule turns mostly on dry weather for mortar work and on any permit or historic review the job needs, and I'll give you your own figure in a written estimate once I've seen the chimney.
What happens after you call us about your chimney?
Call or send the form
Call (706) 395-0746 or send the form, with a few photos of the chimney and anything you know about past leaks or chimney fires. We get back to you and set a time for me to come out.
I look at it with you
I come out myself, go over the brick, mortar, crown and flashing with you, and listen to what you've noticed. Then I write up a free estimate that says what we'll fix, why, and what it'll cost, so you know the number before anything starts.
We handle permits and the work
Once you say yes, we take care of any permit the job needs, the application and the inspections, with the city or county office for your address. I work alongside our crew on the chimney once the job is under way.
Walk the finished chimney together
When the work's done, we walk it with you so you can see the new joints and flashing and ask anything that's on your mind. The job is backed by our satisfaction guarantee.
How we repair a chimney, and the brickwork around it
On every chimney I start with why it failed, because new mortar packed over an open leak just wears out again. We check the cap and crown on top, the brick faces and the flashing, the metal that seals where the chimney meets the roof, since that's a common way in for water. One brick industry guide says that joint needs both base flashing and counter flashing to keep water out of the house, so that's what we look for. Once the cause is fixed, our crew rakes the worn mortar out of the joints and packs in new. On an older home I'll talk through lime and cement mortar with you before we mix anything. Lime mortar is soft and porous and barely changes size as temperatures swing, which makes it a good fit for historic buildings, while a plain portland cement and sand mix is very hard, resists water moving through it and shrinks as it sets. Each behaves differently, and the right one depends on your chimney. We clean up the roof and yard before we leave.
The chimney is often only part of it. If the walls of your house show the same sandy, recessed joints, we can do tuckpointing there while the crew is already out, and cracked or flaking bricks on the chimney or the walls get brick repair, cut out and replaced with brick chosen to match. We do this work across Athens and the cities around it, Commerce, Jefferson, Monroe and Winder among them.
Get a written estimate for your chimney repair
Send the form with a few photos, and we'll reply within one business day to set a time for me to come out. There's no obligation, and after I've looked at the chimney with you, you get a written estimate of what we'd do and why.
Chimney repair questions from Athens homeowners
How much does chimney repair cost in Athens, GA?
Across the US, chimney repairs like a new cap, a crown repair or waterproofing usually run about $550 to $2,400 per job. That's a national range to plan around, not our price. Your own figure comes in the written estimate after I've seen the chimney.
How long does repointing a chimney last?
National Park Service guidance says a good repointing job should last at least 30 years, and preferably 50 to 100. That's the guidance's standard for work done well, not a promise of ours, and it's why we fix whatever wore out the old mortar before any new mortar goes in.
Where do permit applications go in Athens-Clarke County?
The Athens-Clarke County Building Inspections Department takes permit applications by email, fax or mail, and its forms include a Fireplace/Stove Permit. When your chimney job needs a permit, we take care of the application and the inspections for you.
Does my historic home in Athens need extra approval for chimney work?
It can, because exterior changes to local landmarks and homes in a local historic district need a Certificate of Appropriateness from Athens-Clarke County, and those changes include alterations to building materials. If your home is in one, I'll bring it up early so the review fits into your plans.
Does a chimney repair contractor need a license in Georgia?
Yes, for bigger jobs, since the county building department notes that Georgia requires a state license for contracting work that costs $2,500 or more. The county also asks for a copy of the contractor's Georgia license with a permit application, and we're fully licensed and insured.
How do I know if my chimney is safe after a chimney fire?
You can't tell from the outside, because a hot chimney fire can crack or warp the liner, the lining inside the flue, and that makes the chimney unsafe to use. If you've had one, hold off on fires and tell me about it when you call so I know what to look for.
Other masonry work a chimney job often turns up
Tuckpointing
When the walls of your house show the same sandy, recessed mortar as the chimney, tuckpointing the whole run keeps the joints matched and sealed.
Brick repair
Cracked, flaking or loose bricks let water behind the face, so we cut them out and set replacements chosen to match your house.
Call or send photos of your chimney
Call (706) 395-0746 or use the form, because worn joints and a cracked crown let in a little more water with each rain, and caught early the repair usually stays smaller.