Chimney Repair in Ferndale, MI
Chimney repair in Ferndale almost always comes down to four points: the mortar joints, the crown, the cap and flashing, and the brick itself. Which one has failed is the difference between a day of repointing and a rebuild, and it is the first thing we determine once we are up there. Brickheads Masonry has handled chimney repair, rebuilds, and tuckpointing across the area since 2006, and every job is completed by our own licensed crew rather than a subcontractor.
Chimney Repair Services in Ferndale, MI
The Mortar Joints
When a joint recedes below the face of the brick, the brick is no longer protected and water has a path in. We grind the failed mortar out to proper depth and repoint with a mix selected to be softer than your brick, so the joint keeps taking the wear instead of the brick.
The Crown
This is the slab on top, and it is the part that fails quietly. A cracked crown lets water straight into the core of the chimney, where it will not be visible until it shows up on a ceiling.
The Cap and Flashing
A chimney can be structurally sound and still leak. If the cap is missing or the flashing at the roofline has lifted, water is entering at the joint between the chimney and the roof deck rather than through the brick at all.
The Brick
Once faces begin shedding in layers, those units are finished and need replacing. A few bricks is a repair. Several courses is a different conversation.
We price the smallest fix that will actually hold, and we will tell you when a repair is only buying you a couple of years.
Why We Rebuild Crowns With a Drip Edge
Many of the chimneys we open up have a crown poured flush or stepped in, which means water running off the top strikes the brick face directly and begins working its way down. When we rebuild or replace a crown, we pour it with a genuine overhanging drip edge so water is thrown clear of the masonry instead of down it, and we use fiber-enhanced concrete rather than a thin mortar wash. It is a small change to the build that removes the cause instead of treating the symptom.
On a full rebuild we take the chimney down to the roofline, rebuild from the roof up with matching brick, pour the new crown, and install flashing.
Masonry Repair, Steps, and Porch Work in Ferndale
Ferndale's lots are tight and the front steps are used hard, so they often show wear before anything else on the house. We repair and replace step systems in limestone, brick, bluestone, pavers, and concrete through our
custom brick step services, handle
porch repair and rebuilding down to the foundation with a new cap poured when a porch is past repairing, and take care of wall and foundation brickwork through
tuckpointing and brick repair. If the chimney needs attention, it is worth having us look at the steps and porch on the same visit rather than paying for a second trip later.
Why Ferndale Homeowners Choose Brickheads
Brickheads began in 2006 as a small door-to-door company founded by Geno and a few friends, and it is now more than 20 full-time employees. Geno still owns, operates, and sells the work himself, so the person quoting your chimney is the person accountable for it, and we never subcontract, which means the crew that quotes the job is the crew that completes it.
We hold Michigan Builder's License #262200027, carry full insurance, warranty all work in writing, and operate out of 38367 Mound Road in Sterling Heights. Ferndale residents receive 30% off masonry services, 20% off paver projects, and 10% off concrete work when the job is booked at the initial appointment, and there is a $500 internet coupon (code BRICK500) available on projects over $1,500.
Frequently Asked Questions
My chimney leaks but the brick looks fine. What is going on?
Most often it is the crown or the flashing rather than the brick. Water enters at the top or at the roofline joint and travels down inside the chimney. This is why we inspect the crown and flashing before quoting any repointing, since repointing a chimney that is leaking from the top does not address the leak.
Do you have to take the whole chimney down to rebuild it?
Usually not. Most of the rebuilds we complete come down to the roofline and go back up from there, since the section above the roof absorbs nearly all of the weather. A full teardown to the foundation is uncommon, and we will tell you plainly if yours requires one.
What does chimney repair cost in Ferndale?
Most repairs run between $500 and $2,500 depending on height, access, and how many of those four points are involved. Call 586-709-2365 and we will assess it on-site and give you a firm number.
Schedule Your Free Chimney Inspection in Ferndale
If you have a water stain, a crumbling joint, or a crown that has never been checked, don't wait for the next freeze-thaw season to add to the damage. Call Brickheads Masonry at 586-709-2365 or request a free estimate online, and we will tell you which of the four points has failed and what it actually takes to correct. Our full chimney repair and rebuild services cover Ferndale and the surrounding Oakland County communities, and if you are weighing a patch against a rebuild, our guide to choosing between a repair and a rebuild walks through it.
