(615) 459-2546 office@ashbusters.net

When your home has a masonry chimney, it’s inevitable that, at some point, it’s going to need repairing or restoring. Although masonry materials are long-lasting and durable, your chimney is constantly exposed to the elements, meaning things like water exposure, animal tampering, poor workmanship, damage related to natural disasters, and negligence will cause wear that needs to be addressed.

Is your home built on an older foundation with an older chimney? This is another reason repairs may be necessary, whether it’s for efficiency reasons, safety, or  aesthetic purposes.

Regardless of your situation, if you need masonry repairs, the experienced masons here at Ashbusters can offer the quality workmanship you deserve. Let’s go over some of the more common masonry-related repairs we offer.

Chimney Crown Repairs & Restoration

Your chimney crown is located at the top of your chimney, and it’s main job is to protect the sides of your masonry from rain, sleet, and melted snow. That said, because it has such a big job to do and is exposed to so much, it often suffers damage, like cracking and spalling, which then makes your entire system more vulnerable.

Common Chimney Masonry Repairs & Updates - Nashville TN - Ashbusters crownEssentially, a damaged (or incorrectly constructed) crown will lead to rusting, damage to your chimney liner, damper corrosion, wood rot, missing bricks, flaking mortar, and more – all things you want to avoid.

Fortunately for those in Nashville and its surrounding cities, the qualified crew at Ashbusters can repair your crown damage or, should it be beyond repair, construct a brand new crown that will keep you better protected for the long haul.

We have decades of experience, so rest assured your crown will be stronger once we’re done and ready to withstand it all. We also recommend coating it with our waterproof sealant to guarantee all future water-related issues are kept at bay.

Repointing/Tuckpointing

If you live in a home built before the 1940’s, the mortar joints may be suffering. This is because masons back then didn’t use the more durable Portland cement-based mortar mixes that we use nowadays when building homes. Fortunately, our chimney experts offer masonry repointing, which will restore your system and keep it standing strong for years to come.

Repointing (sometimes called tuckpointing) is the process of taking out the damaged mortar in masonry joints and restoring those joints with new mortar. Chimney repointing is a highly effective way to fix a chimney in need of repair. In fact, many repair companies recommend it before diving into an entire rebuild.

Just be sure to always trust a pro with your repointing work. Repointing can be a very detailed and painstaking procedure, especially if the home is an older one. The new mortar needs to match the old exactly, both in color and composition, which can be challenging when you’re working with materials that are decades old.

Why is this important? Well, there can be some big differences in both hardness and permeability between the mortar materials of today with those of the past. This means putting any random mortar mix in can lead to other hazards and leave your system vulnerable to further damage or a collapse. Needless to say, a DIY approach with a caulk gun and ladder isn’t gonna do it.

Our certified and experienced masons guarantee any repointing repairs performed will be durable enough to last for years to come, and we always make sure that our masonry repair work matches the exact look of the entire exterior chimney.

In the end, this is one repair job that should never be put off. Once your mortar is cracked or deteriorated in any way, it’s only a matter of time before you experience chimney leaks and further damage from there.

Chimney Rebuilds

Now, if your system is experiencing a problem, we’ll do everything possible to restore it back to its original state. That said, sometimes repairs are simply not enough, and an entire rebuild will be necessary. Fortunately, our sweeps are well-equipped to handle it all, and we’ll do everything possible to create your dream set-up while staying within your budget.

Looking for an Update?

Our masonry services don’t always have to be used for repairs or restorations. They can also be used to spruce up the current look or aesthetic of your fireplace or home!

Does your older or outdated fireplace need a facelift? We can use materials like metal, colored bricks, stone, cultured stone, cast-concrete, or tile to get it looking better than ever. No matter your style or your budget, we’re here to help you design and create the fireplace you have always wanted!

Common Chimney Masonry Repairs & Updates - Nashville TN - Ashbusters outdoor In addition to this, we also provides professional masonry chimney construction services! If you want to improve your outdoor space for the warmer months, consider adding an outdoor fireplace or an outdoor kitchen. Our experienced staff will work with you from the planning stages to the completion of this project, so you’re sure to be satisfied with the end result, and we do everything possible to make your outdoor living area a dream come true (while working with your budget and preferences).

At the end of it, you’ll have a great place to enjoy time friends and family, while adding value to your home while you’re at it.

Why Trust a Professional?

Are you an ambitious DIY-er known for taking on even the most challenging home projects? Then, we’re sure the thought has crossed your mind… Can I tackle these chimney masonry repairs and updates myself?

Honestly… it’s not a good idea. Even a minor mistake can lead to bigger issues (and expensive damage) down the line, and even the smallest areas of damage can invite hazards like carbon monoxide in your home, chimney fires, smoke exposure, house fires, and more.

Have an older chimney? Trusting a professional will ensure its timeless beauty isn’t altered. There are various ways to restore old masonry, so it’s best to find a professional that knows about these techniques and will use the one most appropriate for your situation.

Finally, it’s important to find a reputable professional that will provide a warranty for the work they complete. Without a warranty, any repairs that need to be made are the responsibility of the homeowner – you. Let the professionals at Ashbusters take a look at your chimney and recommend a chimney restoration with a 5-year workmanship guarantee.

Schedule Your Inspection Today

If you’re at all unsure about the integrity of your system, schedule a chimney inspection with our team of experts right away. In many cases, we will be able to maintain the integrity of your chimney without the need to rebuild the entire appliance, but only if issues are caught early enough.

Our experts are trained and certified by the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) and the National Fireplace Institute (NFI), and we have decades of experience to back up our work. You can trust us for its all!

Don’t let minor and easy-to-address damage turn into a major renovation. Give us a call today or reach out online to get started. We’d be happy to hear from you!