Chimney Services
Our approach to chimney masonry in Markham
Brick industry guidance and the building code, applied to chimney repairs in Markham.
Rusting steel hidden in the masonry
Steel set into or supporting brick, such as a lintel over an opening or a support angle, grows as it rusts. The Brick Industry Association lists accumulated rust on lintels and shelf angles among the conditions it treats as structural, since the swelling steel pushes on the masonry around it.
That pressure can crack and lift the courses above, and patching the brick alone will not stop it. If we find rusting steel behind the damage, we explain what cleaning, treating or replacing it would involve before any brick goes back, and whether an engineer should weigh in first. You decide with the full picture in writing.
Roof, yard and plants covered while we work
Brick and mortar work produces dust, chips and broken material. We protect the roof around the chimney, set up a clean route for materials and cover plants, paths and outdoor furniture below the work area before anything is cut.
Tell us about anything fragile near the chimney, such as a screened enclosure, a garden bed or a skylight, when you book. Loose debris is cleared at the end of each day, and at the end of the job we walk the area with you so you can see the finished masonry and a clean yard. That walk-through is included in every job.
Brick, block, stucco or stone
From the street, a chimney finished in stucco or stone veneer can look much like a brick one, yet each needs its own repair method and materials. We confirm what the chimney is built of and what covers it before recommending anything.
This service covers brick and mortar. Stucco and stone chimneys have their own repair services with their own materials, and a framed chimney chase is another job again. Knowing exactly which one you have keeps the estimate accurate and keeps you from paying for the wrong fix. If a chimney combines materials, each part is priced for what it is.
