Those residing in Niagara Falls and Greater Buffalo who have visited the spectacular site of three massive waterfalls crashing into the Niagara River below know the immense power of Mother Nature. Speaking of power, did you know that the more than 6 million cubic feet of water per minute generates nearly 5 gigawatts of power, making it one of the largest hydroelectric power producers in the world?
At home, our masonry chimneys face a similar phenomenon. That’s because water is the arch-enemy of chimneys and the leading cause of repairs, rebuilds, and restorations. For over sixty years, homeowners have trusted the highly skilled masonry contractors at Felgemacher for beautiful, code-compliant chimney rebuilds.
How Water Damages Chimneys in Niagara Falls
Here in Western New York, we receive over 8 feet of snow and nearly 4 feet of rain each year. That’s feet, not inches! Along with humid summers, our masonry chimneys are constantly being inundated with moisture. As the brickwork continuously freezes and thaws over and over in each winter season, the structural damage becomes evident:
- Spalling Brick: The brick faces begin to crack, flake, and break off entirely.
- Eroding Mortar: The mortar joints between bricks erode, creating gaps and loose bricks.
- Structural Instability: Bricks loosen, shift, and can fall completely from the structure.
These masonry gaps allow wind, rain, and snow to leak inside the chimney system. It can warp or crack the chimney liner, fanning intense heat toward your home’s wooden framing, increasing the risk of a house fire, and allowing toxic carbon monoxide gas to leak into your living space.
When Your Chimney Needs Rebuilding
If a chimney has suffered minor surface damage, simple repairs like tuckpointing or a new chimney cap may be sufficient. However, if the masonry has gaping holes in several sections or the chimney is leaning and in imminent danger of collapse, it needs to be rebuilt.
Depending on the extent of the damage, our team will recommend one of two structural rebuilds:
Partial Rebuild:
A partial rebuild is necessary when the lower portion of the chimney (below the roofline) remains structurally sound, but the exposed upper section is severely damaged. We carefully dismantle the damaged brickwork, rebuild the upper stack with new, color-matched bricks, form a brand-new concrete chimney crown, and install a custom full-width chimney cap to create a beautiful, structurally sound, and code-compliant structure.
Complete Ground-up Rebuilding:
For structurally compromised chimneys, a complete rebuild from the ground up may be necessary to continue using your heating appliances. A complete chimney rebuild requires dismantling the entire structure and saving any reusable components, such as the cap, crown, and damper. Our master masons then rebuild the entire structure from the ground up. This ensures your new chimney is structurally sound, fully compliant with local building codes, and improves your curb appeal.
Call Felgemacher for Superior Chimney Rebuilds in Niagara Falls, NY
Don’t wait for Mother Nature to blow your stack down. Call Felgemacher Masonry & Chimney or fill out the form on our website to speak with a Certified Chimney Sweep® about rebuilding your chimney. Experience legendary service from a local company with over 60 years of serving Niagara County and Greater Buffalo, including Niagara Falls, Lewiston, Sanborn, and Wheatfield.
