1) Chimney Repair at the Crown
     Your Crown (the cement that is the cap on the chimney) is:
          cracked
          broken
          leaking

     You will want to maintain this to keep water from doing major damage to your chimney over time.  
     If it is in bad shape, we will remove and replace it.
     For more information, check out this video!  
     If cracks are slight, the crown can be re-surfaced. You can try this yourself. Or call for help.

2) Damper Repair
     Your damper:
          Does not open or close?
          Does not fit tightly?
          Is not there at all? 
     Damper problems are easily remedied, please call us for help.

3) Firebox Repair
     Firebox brick (where you build your fire) are:
          Cracked?
          Loose?
          Missing?
          Mortar is missing?
     This is a safety issue and should be addressed.  
     We can repair your fireplace:
          We do minor to major mortar repair (Tuck pointing)
          We will fix one firebrick or replace all the firebrick to complete a new firebox.
     No problem! Call us for help. 

4) Your Fireplace:
          Does not draw properly - smoke billows out the top of the fireplace opening?
     It MAY NOT NEED chimney repair, try these things first:
          Be sure the damper is open
          Preheat the flue before starting a fire
               1) Light a rolled up piece of newspaper
               2) and hold it at the top of the firebox
               This jump starts the process of heat flowing properly up the chimney.
          Crack open a window in the room, build a small fire at the back of the firebox.
     Still have problems?
          Is there a tree growing too close to the chimney?
          Have you had the chimney cleaned to remove possible obstructions in the flue?
     Still have problems? 
          There are other more technical solutions that may work. Call me and I will help you. 

5) You would like a Gas Log Installed
          The best expert I know is Ben at Valley Air.

6) Your chimney needs cleaning? 
          Gary Hughes is the cleaning expert! Call him at 818-889-7124.

7) Your fireplace and chimney needs to be demolished and re-built. 
          Call for help with chimney rebuilding.

8) Your leaking chimney is letting water into your house
          The roofer has checked the roof and roof flashings and you are confident the roof is not the problem. 
          There are several places where brick chimney repair may be the answer.
              Problem: The crown is not sealed and water is getting in from the top.
                Solution: Repair or replace the cement crown. Want to do it yourself?  

              Problem: The flashing on the SIDES of the chimney are not sealed with caulking.
                Solution: Remove and replace this caulking (you might want to try this yourself).

                Problem: The brick on the shoulders are not water tight 
                 Solution: Tuck-point mortar or replace brick.

                Problem: There are cracks in the mortar joints
                 Solution: Tuck-point, meaning replace the mortar.

                 Problem: In extreme rainy weather,
                 You do not have a chimney cap and enough rain is dripping from your flat spark arrester (on the top of the flue)
                 to cause water to leak at the damper. 
                  Solution:  Install chimney cap/spark arrestor combination.

                 Problem:  Brick and mortar that make up your chimney are porous materials. After much rain has fallen over many days,
                 the bricks have soaked up more water than they can contain. The excess water is leaking into the house. 
                  Solution: Waterproof the entire chimney.   Call us for help!