The quiet and picturesque lakefront town of Irondequoit, NY, is renowned for its excellent schools, beautiful parks, and miles of sandy beaches. However, in areas where temperatures swing from sub-freezing winters to hot, humid summers, masonry chimneys can eventually succumb to extreme weather. The extensive masonry damage can cause chimneys to lean and even collapse without a rebuild.
The Felgemacher family has been repairing and rebuilding masonry chimneys in Monroe County and the Greater Rochester area for over 60 years.
Types of Chimney Rebuilding
Depending on the extent of the damage to the brickwork, your chimney may require a partial or complete rebuild.
Partial Rebuild
Extending above the roofline, the chimney top often takes the brunt of the rain and snow. A partial rebuild of this section helps to prevent collapse or a more costly complete rebuild. During a partial rebuilding, we safely dismantle the upper section down to the flashing or just below it, where the masonry remains solid. Our skilled masons then construct a brand-new upper section, complete with a proper, overhanging concrete crown to shed water, seamlessly matching the new brick to your home's exterior. A full-width chimney cap provides additional water protection to the chimney and crown.
Complete Rebuild
When masonry damage is extensive or the chimney is pulling away from the house, a complete rebuild is necessary to prevent a dangerous structural collapse. When dismantling the chimney, we will salvage any usable components and rebuild the masonry chimney from the ground up, ensuring it meets rigorous National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards and New York State Mechanical Code requirements.
Signs of Masonry Damage
Catching masonry deterioration early can mean the difference between minor maintenance and a costly rebuild. Look out for these signs of potential trouble:
- Spalling Bricks: The faces of the bricks are cracking, flaking, or popping off entirely, often with pieces of clay in your firebox, on the roof, or on the ground by the chimney.
- Deteriorating Mortar: Mortar that is disappearing or is soft to the touch is a common sign of masonry damage that weakens the chimney.
- Efflorescence: A chalky white stain on exterior brickwork is a clear indicator that the bricks and mortar are absorbing moisture.
- Interior Moisture: Water pooling in your firebox, rusted dampers, flue liner condensation, or water stains on the walls adjacent to the chimney.
Can a Chimney Really Collapse?
Yes! And it happens in Western New York more often than most homeowners realize. When the chimney has more holes than Swiss cheese, and the masonry damage is so severe that it can no longer support its own weight, over a ton of bricks can come crashing down.
Recent local news events highlight the severe dangers posed by severe masonry damage. From partial building collapses in downtown Buffalo due to structural failure to massive house fires, such as the recent one in Rochester, compromised structures pose significant safety hazards. A collapsing chimney can tear through your roof framing, destroy neighboring property, or cause catastrophic injury.
Call Felgemacher for Professional Chimney Rebuild in Irondequoit, NY
Protect your home and enjoy your fireplace with a partial or complete chimney rebuild by the expert masons at Felgemacher. Call us or fill out the form on our website for a free estimate. We proudly serve Monroe County and Greater Rochester, including East Irondequoit, Webster, and North Greece, NY.
