Chimney Repair & Rebuilding Services

Why Chimney Maintenance Is Critical

Your chimney does more than vent smoke. It protects your home from fire hazards and carbon monoxide poisoning. A damaged or deteriorating chimney puts your family at serious risk. Cracks in the chimney liner allow dangerous gases to enter your living space. Crumbling mortar or loose bricks can collapse, causing property damage or injury. Water intrusion leads to wood rot, mold growth, and expensive structural repairs throughout your home.

In Shreveport, LA, our weather creates unique challenges for chimneys. Summer heat causes masonry to expand. Winter cold makes it contract. This constant movement stresses mortar joints and can crack bricks. Heavy rainfall saturates unprotected chimneys, causing freeze-thaw damage when temperatures drop. Many homeowners do not realize their chimney needs attention until they see visible damage or experience problems with their fireplace or heating system.

Regular inspections catch problems early when repairs are simple and affordable. We recommend annual chimney inspections, especially if you use your fireplace frequently. During an inspection, we check the chimney crown, flashing, mortar joints, bricks, and liner. We look for cracks, gaps, water damage, and deterioration. Finding issues early protects your home and saves you money. What might cost a few hundred dollars to repair today could require thousands in rebuilding later.

Common Chimney Issues We Repair

Chimneys face multiple challenges that compromise their safety and function. Here are the most common problems we address for Shreveport area homeowners.

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  Cracked or deteriorating chimney crown: The crown is the concrete cap at the top of your chimney. It sheds water away from the flue opening and protects the masonry below. Cracks in the crown allow water to penetrate the chimney structure, causing rapid deterioration of bricks and mortar.
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  Damaged flashing: Flashing seals the gap between your chimney and roof. When flashing fails, water pours into your attic and walls. We see this frequently after roof replacements when roofers install flashing incorrectly or use inferior materials.
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  Spalling bricks: When water gets inside chimney bricks and freezes, it causes the brick face to pop off. This spalling accelerates quickly once it starts. A few damaged bricks this year become dozens next year without proper repair.
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  Leaning or tilting chimney: A leaning chimney indicates serious foundation or structural problems. This dangerous condition requires immediate attention. We assess whether the chimney can be stabilized or needs complete rebuilding.
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  Deteriorating mortar joints: Old mortar crumbles and falls out, leaving gaps between bricks. This compromises structural integrity and allows water intrusion. Our tuckpointing services restore mortar joints before damage spreads.
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  Damaged or missing chimney liner: The liner protects your chimney walls from corrosive flue gases and extreme heat. A cracked or missing liner is a serious fire hazard and allows carbon monoxide into your home.

Our Complete Chimney Services

We provide comprehensive chimney services from minor repairs to complete rebuilds. Every project receives the same attention to safety, quality, and craftsmanship.

Chimney Inspections

Our thorough inspections identify problems before they become emergencies. We examine every component of your chimney from the crown to the firebox. You receive a detailed report with photos showing the condition of your chimney and our recommendations for any needed repairs. If your chimney is in good shape, we tell you that too. We never recommend unnecessary work.

Chimney Repair

Most chimney problems can be fixed with targeted repairs. We replace damaged bricks, rebuild crowns, install new flashing, and restore mortar joints. Our repairs match your existing chimney in appearance while meeting current safety codes. We use high-quality materials designed specifically for chimney applications where extreme temperature changes and weather exposure demand superior performance.

Chimney Rebuilding

When a chimney is too damaged for repair, rebuilding is the safest option. We carefully demolish the damaged chimney and rebuild it using modern techniques and materials. A rebuilt chimney often performs better than the original, with improved draft, better water resistance, and enhanced safety features. We match the new chimney to your home's architecture, maintaining its character while ensuring decades of reliable service.

Chimney Waterproofing

Water is your chimney's biggest enemy. We apply breathable waterproofing sealers that repel water while allowing moisture vapor to escape. This prevents water damage while avoiding the problems caused by non-breathable sealers that trap moisture inside the masonry. Waterproofing extends chimney life and prevents costly repairs. We recommend waterproofing every few years as part of regular maintenance, especially for chimneys showing early signs of water damage.

Frequently Asked Questions About Chimney Services