Masonry & Chimney Brick Repair Near You: Sleep Easy Is Kansas City’s Go-To Team

How Can Damaged Masonry Chimneys Be Repaired?

Like most things in life, chimneys need regular attention and maintenance over time. The certified technicians at Sleep Easy specialize in a variety of masonry chimney services to keep your flue functioning flawlessly and looking its best. We offer expertise in:

Tuckpointing/Repointing Services

While the mortar that rests between the brick or stone of your chimney is durable, it’s simply not as durable as the brick or stone itself. With time and weather, these joints can crack, recede, or otherwise deteriorate – and when they do, the entire structure is weakened and made unattractive.

Is it time to have your mortar joints repaired? Call on Sleep Easy. We’re experts in tuckpointing and repointing and can carefully remove any damaged or deteriorating mortar. When replacing your mortar, we make every attempt to color match, so that your new mortar is as similar to the old mortar as possible.

Brick Replacement

In some cases, it’s not just the mortar that breaks down – the bricks themselves can crack, spall, or crumble due to moisture damage, freeze/thaw cycles, or age. Damaged bricks don’t just affect how your chimney looks – they can compromise the structural integrity of the entire system and allow water to seep inside, leading to even more costly problems.

At Sleep Easy, we specialize in replacing individual bricks or entire sections of your chimney with precision and care. We take the time to source bricks that closely match your existing ones in color, size, and texture, so the repair blends seamlessly. Plus, our team ensures the surrounding masonry is stable and properly reinforced before resetting each new brick.

Chimney Rebuilds

If you just don’t like your chimney or if it was poorly built from the start, we can always tear it down (or just part of it down) and build a new one out of the material of your choice – be that brick, stone, or wood. We’re experienced working with all materials and we’ve rebuilt countless chimneys in the Kansas City area over the years. We know what makes a chimney long-lasting and high-performing, and we pay attention to every little detail.

No matter your chimney masonry repairs needs, we want to help. And with our Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) certified team on the job, you can rest assured your new chimney will be attractive, well-designed, strong, and long-lasting.

How Can I Prevent Masonry Damage?

It’s great that we’re equipped to help so many Kansas City homeowners with their masonry repair needs, but if there’s a way we can prevent those repairs from ever occurring in the first, then…well, even better! Preventing masonry damage involves a combination of regular maintenance and protective measures.

1. Invest in professional waterproofing. We’ll use a breathable, water-repellent sealer designed to protect brick, stone, or concrete from moisture intrusion…while still allowing trapped moisture to escape.
2. Make sure you have proper drainage. Keep your gutters and downspouts clean and directed away from the chimney’s masonry base. In addition, grade soil away from the foundation to prevent water pooling.
3. Have minor damages addressed promptly. You’d be surprised how quickly something small can turn into a big problem. Don’t ignore minor cracks and flaws – hire us to inspect and repair small damages right away, so they don’t worsen.
4. Maintain your mortar joints. Repointing (tuckpointing) should last for years if done properly, but once your mortar joints start showing signs of age, don’t wait to have the service completed again.
5. Keep vegetation at bay. Don’t let vines or moss grow on your masonry chimney – roots can penetrate and damage joints. On that same note, trim nearby trees and bushes to reduce moisture and debris buildup.
6. Stay on the lookout for water damage. Regularly look for stains, spalling (flaking), white efflorescence, or damp patches. These may indicate water penetration that needs professional attention.
7. Invest in annual inspections and sweepings. No matter how often you look your chimney over, there still might be damage hidden. Be sure to book annual inspections with an expert even if everything seems fine.

How Does Water Damage My Masonry Chimney?

Brick is a naturally porous material, which means, if not protected, it will easily absorb water during rain storms, snowfall, or even on those high humidity days. As you can imagine, this water naturally breaks things down, spreads, and causes all kinds of issues throughout the flue and home.

What’s worse is that water exposure makes your chimney susceptible to freeze/thaw damage. When temps drop in the winter, the water inside the brick freezes and expands. This expansion creates internal pressure that can cause the surface of the brick to crack, flake, or break apart. Eventually, temps will drop again, during which time more water will enter the new cracks…and over time, repeated freezing and thawing can lead to extensive damage.

Left unaddressed, this cycle can significantly compromise the structural integrity of your chimney and lead to costly repairs or even a full rebuild. That’s why waterproofing and regular maintenance are so important for protecting your chimney from moisture-related damage.

While freeze/thaw damage is one of the biggest reasons you’ll face issues, water can still cause lots of harm in other ways, like:

• Water gradually wears down the mortar that holds the bricks together, leading to loose, crumbling joints that weaken the structure.
• Moisture can rust metal components inside the chimney (like the damper or flashing), and it can also cause unsightly stains on the exterior of the chimney.
• Moisture intrusion creates the perfect environment for mold and mildew to grow, which can lead to odors and affect indoor air quality.
• If water leaks through the chimney, it can damage nearby drywall, insulation, and framing, leading to expensive repairs inside your home.
• Over time, repeated exposure to moisture weakens the entire chimney structure, increasing the risk of collapse.

Reach Out Now for Quality Chimney Repair Services Near You

When it comes to your chimney, early detection is the key to preventing costly repairs down the road. Even the smallest of cracks left unattended can worsen, leading to water infiltration and a hefty water damage repair bill. Lucky for you, Sleep Easy Chimney Service & Repair is your one-stop shop for all your chimney needs. Our expertise extends beyond repairs…we also fix and rebuild fireboxes, fireplaces, and smoke chambers!

Ready to give your masonry chimney a little care and attention? Call Sleep Easy today or reach out to us online – we’ll repair and restore it right.