Home / Services / Chimney repair
Repair and masonryChimney repair and masonry for the east metro
Chimney repair in MN usually starts with water. It gets into cracked mortar, a worn crown or a loose joint, then freezes and pushes brick apart. Sterling repairs brick chimneys across the east metro, and we show you the damage and recommend only what is needed, before any repair.
Open 7 days, 8am-8pm
Worried a repair is more than you need? Ask us to explain each option.
Prefer to write? Send us the details
Book online
Pick a day and a two-hour window.
1. Day
Loading days...
2. Time window
Pick a day first.
- Open 7 days, 8am-8pm
- 10+ years
- Licensed, bonded & insured
- Same-week, evenings & weekends
Do I need this repair now, or can it wait?
A little discoloration or a faint hairline in the mortar can usually wait for a scheduled visit. Bricks that are loose, a crown with wide cracks, water inside the house or smoke leaking into a room are different. Those call for action soon, because the damage grows each time it rains or freezes.
When you are not sure which side your chimney falls on, send us a description or call, and we will say how soon it needs a look.
Tuckpointing: what is it, and when does a chimney need it?
Tuckpointing replaces the worn mortar between bricks with fresh mortar, cut in neatly so the joints are sealed again. It is needed when mortar is crumbling, sandy or missing. Left alone, those gaps let in water, and water is what loosens brick.
Do not wait on these
- The chimney is leaning or has moved away from the house.
- A damper that is stuck, so you cannot open or close it. Do not force it.
- A crown that has cracked through or fallen.
- Bricks that have come loose or dropped from the stack.
- Daylight or smoke showing where it should not.
How a repair goes
Find the cause
We trace the damage back to its source, which is often water entering higher up.
Explain the options
You see the damage, with a camera photo when one is used, and we lay out repair, partial rebuild or full rebuild where each applies.
Prepare the work
Drop cloths and an industrial vacuum protect the room, and we set up safely on the roof or from the ground.
Do the repair
We rework the mortar, replace bad brick, reseal the crown or fit a new damper, as the job requires.
Clean up
We clear the debris, show you what was done and leave the area tidy.
- What it isMasonry work on the stack, joints, crown and damper.
- When it is neededWhen mortar crumbles, brick loosens or water gets in.
- What it preventsLeaks, spalling brick and a stack that moves.
- RelatedCaps, liners and leak work often go with it.
Spalling brick: repair or rebuild?
Spalling is when the face of a brick flakes or pops off. A few bricks can be replaced one at a time. When the damage runs through large parts of the stack, rebuilding the damaged section is the sounder choice. We show you the bricks in question and explain which road makes sense.
Damper stuck or broken: replace or repair?
If the damper is simply rusty or dirty, cleaning and a repair may loosen it. If the plate is warped, the frame is cracked or the handle is gone, a new damper is the better fix. Never force a stuck damper; call and tell us what it does.
Who is responsible for repairs, and does insurance cover them?
For a house you own, the chimney is part of the home, so it is yours to keep up. Whether a policy pays for any of it depends on the policy and the cause, so ask your insurer. In a townhome or twin home, read your association documents.
How long does a repair last?
It depends on the repair, the brick and the weather it faces. Good mortar, a sound crown and a working cap give brick the strongest chance of holding up. We tell you what we expect for your chimney when we describe the job.
What will a repair cost, and could it grow?
Repairs are priced after we see the chimney, because the size of the damage decides the work. Our starting prices show where crown and cap work begins, and a call gets you the rest.
Repair questions
Short answers first.
Can a leaning chimney be fixed?
Sometimes, but it needs a professional look first. Keep people clear of the area below it and call us. Do not lean on it, push it or try to brace it yourself.
How do I know if the mortar needs work?
Look for mortar that is recessed, sandy, cracked or missing between bricks. If you can scrape it out with a fingernail, it is worn out. A call describing it is enough to start.
Can you fix a chimney that leaks around the roof?
Yes. Leaks near the roofline often come from flashing, the crown or the brick above it. We trace the source first so the fix goes where the water actually enters.
Do you replace a chimney damper?
Yes. We replace dampers that are warped, rusted through or stuck for good. Describe how yours behaves and we will say whether it needs repair or replacement.
Do you rebuild a chimney from the roofline up?
Yes, when the stack above the roof is too damaged for patching. We look at the brick, explain how far down the rebuild goes and quote the work.
Where repairs come up
Repairs take us to all of these towns, and to the rest of the east metro.
- 01
White Bear Lake
An older core and later subdivisions, two kinds of chimney.
- 02
Hastings
Historic districts and old brick above the river.
- 03
St. Paul
Old stacks in neighborhoods with a long building history.
- 04
South St. Paul
Grandview Park and the streets above the Mississippi.
What else might you need?
Many repairs begin with a chimney inspection and finish with a sweep. If your chimney is leaning, keep people and cars clear of the base and call before anyone lights a fire. On an aging stack, an old brick chimney deserves a careful first look.
Seeing loose brick or water stains?
Describe what you see, and we will tell you how soon it needs a look and what it likely involves.