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A masonry chimney is only as strong as its weakest point, and in New Jersey that point tends to show up early. Your chimney is the only part of the house standing fully exposed above the roofline with no wall, overhang or neighboring structure protecting it, so it absorbs wind driven rain from every direction and cycles through freezing and thawing dozens of times each winter. Water works into small cracks and pores, freezes, expands by roughly nine percent, and forces the brick face to chip or break away. That process is what produces spalling brick, crumbling mortar joints and the slow deterioration that eventually appears as a stain on your ceiling. It is also why chimney mortar commonly fails five to ten years ahead of the mortar on the rest of the house.
A+ Chimney & Masonry handles chimney repair, tuckpointing, crown repair, flashing repair, cap installation, waterproofing, relining and full or partial rebuilds for homes and businesses throughout New Jersey. We work on everything from old brick chimneys on Jersey City and Hoboken row homes to newer construction in Edison, Clifton and Paterson. The chimney crown, that flat horizontal cap at the very top, takes the worst of it. Because it is a flat exposed surface holding standing water and snow, it wears down two to three times faster than the vertical brick beneath it, which is why crown damage is so often the first real warning sign. Left alone, a cracked crown lets water directly into the chimney system and accelerates everything else. We diagnose the actual source before recommending a fix, whether that means a simple repointing job or a rebuild from the roofline up.
From a single repointing job to a complete rebuild, we handle every kind of chimney work with the same attention to detail.
Chimney Repair
Cracked brick, deteriorated mortar or visible spalling? We identify the actual cause first, then repair it properly, restoring structural integrity without unnecessary tear out or replacing material that is still sound.
Chimney Repointing and Tuckpointing
Mortar joints wear out well before brick does. We grind out failing mortar to proper depth and repoint with fresh, color matched mortar, which restores strength and stops water from working deeper into the masonry.
Chimney Rebuilds
When damage has moved past what repointing can fix, we rebuild. That can mean the crown alone, the top few courses of brick, everything above the roofline, or the full structure, rebuilt with correct materials and reinforcement.
Chimney Crown Repair and Replacement
The crown sheds water away from the flue and the brickwork below. We repair cracked crowns and pour new ones with the proper overhang and slope so water runs off the structure instead of sitting on top of it.
Chimney Flashing Repair
Flashing seals the joint where the chimney meets the roof, and it is one of the most common sources of chimney leaks when it corrodes, separates or was installed poorly. We repair and replace flashing to protect both the chimney and the roof deck underneath.
Chimney Cap Installation
An open flue invites rain, snow, birds, squirrels and debris, all of which drive moisture damage inside the chimney. We install durable, correctly sized stainless steel caps that block the elements while preserving proper draft.
Chimney Waterproofing
Nearly all chimney deterioration begins with water. We apply breathable, vapor permeable sealants that keep moisture out of the masonry without trapping it inside, which is one of the most effective ways to slow freeze and thaw damage before it starts.
Chimney Liner Repair and Relining
A cracked or deteriorated flue liner is both a safety issue and a code issue. We repair and install stainless steel liners sized correctly for your appliance, restoring safe venting and proper draft.
Chimney Leak Repair
Water showing up near the fireplace, on the ceiling or on an adjacent wall can come from the crown, the flashing, the brick face or the cap. We trace the actual path rather than sealing the most convenient surface and hoping.
Chimney Inspections
Chimney damage usually begins internally, well before anything is visible from the ground. We inspect the full structure inside and out to catch cracking, water intrusion and early spalling while the repair is still simple and inexpensive.
Some chimney damage is obvious from the driveway. Some of it starts inside the masonry long before you can see anything. Watch for:
Most of these start small. A leaning or separating chimney deserves attention right away, because it usually points to a footing or foundation issue rather than a problem with the brick itself, and it gets worse the longer it sits.
We inspect the chimney inside and out to find the real source of the problem, whether that is failed mortar, a cracked crown, bad flashing, a deteriorated liner or something happening below the roofline. We document what we find with photos and walk you through it in plain language.
You get a clear, itemized written estimate laying out whether the situation calls for a repair, a repointing job or a rebuild, along with materials, timeline and pricing. We do not push a full rebuild when a repair will genuinely last.
Once you approve the plan, our masons get to work with the right materials and techniques for your specific chimney, protecting your roof, gutters, siding and landscaping throughout the job.
When the work is finished, we clean up completely, walk you through everything that was repaired or rebuilt, answer your questions and make sure you are satisfied before we call the job done.
A chimney takes more freeze and thaw cycling than any other part of a home, and along the New Jersey coast it also deals with salt air that corrodes metal components fast. We select materials to handle both:
Materials are selected based on your chimney’s exposure, age and condition, never by default.
Why Quality Chimney Work Matters
✅ Protects your home from water damage. A properly sealed, repointed chimney keeps moisture out of your walls, ceiling, attic and roof structure.
✅ Improves safety. Sound mortar, a solid crown, a working cap and an intact liner reduce the risk of chimney fires, blockages, carbon monoxide intrusion and structural failure.
✅ Extends your chimney’s lifespan. Since chimney mortar typically fails five to ten years ahead of the rest of the house, proactive repointing and waterproofing add real years of service life.
✅ Increases home value. A clean, structurally sound chimney is one of the first exterior features buyers and home inspectors evaluate.
✅ Improves fireplace performance. A sealed flue, correct cap and clear airway mean better draft, less smoke in the room and safer burns.
✅ Prevents costly future repairs. Catching spalling or crown damage early is a repointing job. Ignored, the same chimney becomes a full tear down and rebuild.
