Joints that crumble when touched
Sandy, cracked or gappy mortar is usually the first thing people notice, and catching it early often keeps the job to the joints instead of the brick too.
Chimney repair in Loveland CO - solid joints and sound brick from the roofline up
Seeing crumbling joints or loose brick on your chimney? We repoint and repair it so the chimney is sound again.
- Licensed and fully insured.
- Free estimates at your property.
- We respond within 1 business day.
What chimney repair involves on your house
Chimney repair in Loveland, CO means renewing worn mortar joints, a job called repointing, and fixing or replacing cracked, loose or missing brick so your chimney is structurally sound again.
Most calls start with something you can see from the yard, like sandy joints, a brick that's shifted or a crack running up the face. The price mostly comes down to how much mortar and brick needs work, how high and hard to reach the chimney is, and whether a liner is in the plan, and I write all of it into the estimate so you can see what the price covers in one place.
The schedule usually turns on paperwork more than mortar. We check with the local building department on every job and handle the application and inspections when a permit's needed, and that wait is often what sets the start date.
Fixes aimed at the cause
We look for why a joint crumbled or a brick worked loose before we touch it, because a patch over the part that shows just lets you down again later.
Gentle with older brick
I learned this trade rebuilding old brick on public buildings with a city crew, so we save the brick that can be saved and fit the new joints to it.
The person who quotes it works it
I'm the one who comes out to look at your chimney, and I work on site alongside our masons, so whoever sized up the job is there while it's done.
How we repair a chimney, in order
We start with the masonry itself. Cracked or loose brick gets reset or replaced, the same brick repair we do on walls and steps, and worn joints get raked out and refilled the way we handle tuckpointing on the rest of a house. We fix those first so anything going inside the chimney later sits in a sound structure.
If a new liner is in the plan, I'll have you book a chimney sweep to clean the flue before we start, because the inside needs to be clean before anything gets installed there. Once the sweep's done and the brick and joints are solid, the liner work can go ahead on a chimney that's ready for it.
We won't sell you a rebuild when a few rows of joints will do, and we won't caulk over a crack and call it fixed. If I spot something that isn't masonry, I'll tell you plainly who to call instead of guessing at it.
Chimney problems homeowners usually call us about
Cracked, loose or missing brick
A brick that rocks, splits or has dropped out leaves the bricks around it carrying more than they should, so we reset what's sound and replace what isn't.
Planning a new liner soon
Tell us when a liner's coming so we can get the masonry done ahead of it, since brick and joints are far easier to fix before anything goes inside.
Not sure it needs anything
Sometimes the joints are only a little worn and nothing's loose, and I'll tell you honestly that it can wait and what to keep an eye on meanwhile.
Get a written chimney repair estimate
Send the form and we'll get back to you within one business day to set a time. I'll come look at your chimney and write a free estimate on site, with no obligation.
Tell us what you've spotted
A quick note on what you've seen, like crumbling joints, a cracked brick or a gap near the top, helps me plan the visit and look hardest at what worries you.
Mention if it's a rental
Let us know whether the house is your primary residence or a rental, because the city's rules on who can do the work aren't the same for both.
Satisfaction guaranteed on every job
It's the same promise on a chimney as on any job we take on in Loveland and the cities around it, so you can judge the finished work for yourself.
Masonry finishes and brick details to compare
These example photos show mortar joint styles, brick colors and chimney and wall details we can talk through when we look at yours.
Chimney repair questions we hear in Loveland
Straight answers to what Loveland homeowners ask most about chimney mortar, brick, permits, doing the work yourself and getting ready for a liner.
How do I know my chimney needs repointing?
Masonry guidance says it's time to repoint when mortar has worn back more than about a quarter inch, crumbles, or shows hairline cracks or gaps, or when bricks are cracking along with the joints. Those signs are hard to judge from the driveway, so I'd want to look up close before you decide.
Why is my chimney mortar crumbling when the bricks look fine?
Mortar simply wears out sooner. It usually lasts roughly 25 to 50 years while brick lasts about 100 years or more, so an older chimney often needs new joints long before new brick. That's also why repointing mortar should be weaker than the brick, since a harder mix can make the brick faces spall and flake off.
How much does chimney repair cost in Loveland?
Chimney cap, crown and waterproofing repairs, or tuckpointing a chimney face, usually cost about $600 to $2,300 per job across the US. That's a national range for the market, not our price. Your own number comes from the written estimate I do at your house, which lists what the price covers.
Does Loveland require a permit for chimney repair?
The City of Loveland requires a building permit for new construction, additions and alterations, so whether your chimney needs one depends on the work, and that's the check we make before we start. When a job goes through plan review, the city's current estimate is 20 to 30 working days per round, so we set the start date around it.
Can I repair my own chimney in Loveland?
Yes, if it's your primary residence, though the city also asks for a homeowner affidavit, a sworn written statement. Structural work on rentals, multi-family and non-residential buildings needs a contractor with a valid city contractor's license, which you can confirm by calling the city at 970-962-2505. We're licensed and fully insured.
Do I need a chimney sweep before a new chimney liner?
Yes, we ask you to book one. One liner maker recommends a certified sweep clean the chimney first, taking glazed creosote, the tar wood smoke leaves, and soot off the inner walls and smoke chamber, and warns poor cleaning may lead to fire or smoke damage. The same maker suggests covering or moving furniture and rugs, since it gets sooty.
Other brick and mortar work on your house
Book a close look at your chimney
Call (970) 292-7476 any day from 7 AM to 11 PM, or send the form, and I'll come take a close look at that chimney.