Our Work
Cutting out and resetting chimney bricks in Woodruff Springs
The crown above the damaged courses
Spalling is often worst in the top few courses, right under the crown. Florida's building code wants every masonry chimney topped with a drip-edged cap of concrete, metal or stone, and that edge is what keeps runoff from soaking the top courses of brick.
A crown without a drip edge, or one that has cracked, sends water straight down the top courses. When we replace bricks near the top of a chimney in Woodruff Springs, we check the crown too and tell you whether it needs sealing, repair or replacement. Our specialists also look at the bond break around the flue liner, which the same code section calls for.
What the brick replacement estimate shows
Brick replacement is priced on what is actually failing. The estimate for your Woodruff Springs chimney lists the number of units to replace, the mortar type, any repointing around them and access needs such as roof work.
Related work that stops the water, such as crown, cap or flashing repair, appears on separate lines. You approve the plan before we start, with no hidden fees, and if we find an extra failed brick during the job, we show you before adding it. Our specialists go through each line with you before you approve it.
Bricks loosened by a storm
Between June 1 and November 30, the Atlantic hurricane season is under way. Strong wind and falling branches can knock loose bricks from the top of a chimney, especially where the faces were already spalled and the joints were soft. A cracked crown after a storm can also let more water into the top courses.
After a storm, look at the chimney from the yard for missing corners or debris on the roof. If you see damage, call (645) 465-4122. Our 24/7 emergency line takes calls about storm-damaged chimneys, and our crew secures loose brick on your Woodruff Springs home before planning the permanent repair.
Cleaning the brick without damaging it
Brick next to a repair often needs cleaning, but the method matters. The Brick Industry Association warns that excessive water pressure can damage brick surfaces, erode mortar joints and remove finishes, and that abrasive or high-pressure cleaning can etch the joints. Those methods can do more harm to old brick than the dirt they remove.
We clean around the new bricks gently, brushing off mortar and dust and using water at low pressure where it is needed. The goal is clean brick with its fired face intact, since that face is what keeps the next rain out.
