Quakes find weak mortar first
After the Trona quakes, county teams found damaged brick chimneys, and older unreinforced ones with worn mortar were the most vulnerable. Even chimneys built to modern standards can suffer real damage.
Chimney repair in Yucaipa CA - solid mortar and a roof line that keeps rain out
Crumbling mortar, a stain on the ceiling near the chimney or cracks after a quake? We find out why, then repair the brick, mortar and flashing.
- Licensed and insured.
- Free quotes on site.
- Replies within 1 business day.
What chimney repair involves on your house
Chimney repair in Yucaipa means restoring worn mortar joints, patching cracked brick or stone and flashing the joint where the chimney meets the roof, so water stays out of your house. The job is usually routine upkeep, a leak repair or a rebuild after quake damage, and what your chimney shows tells us which.
Most people call because they've noticed something: mortar sanding out of the joints, a loose brick near the top, a water stain on the ceiling beside the fireplace, or new cracks after a shake. What moves the price is how much of the chimney is involved, whether the damage stays on the surface or runs down toward the firebox, how high and steep your roof is to work on, and how closely the brick or stone has to match. The schedule turns on the same things plus the weather, since mortar and roof work need dry days. Your written estimate lays out the work and the materials for your chimney, so you're not guessing.
We look for the cause first
I'd rather find out why a chimney failed before we fix it, because a repair that skips the cause, such as fresh mortar over a leaking roof joint, just shows up again.
Repairs that match what's there
We're best known for brick and block repairs that match what's already there, so new mortar and replaced brick blend into your chimney instead of standing out as a patch.
Licensed and insured masonry work
We're licensed and insured, and the state's contractors board counts brick, stone and fire brick as masonry work, which is the trade we've worked in Yucaipa since 2017.
How we go about a chimney repair
I start up on the roof. I look at the crown, the cap that sheds water off the top, and the flashing, the metal that seals the chimney to the roof, as well as the mortar, because that's where a lot of leaks start. Once I know why the chimney is failing, our crew of masons does the work while I check it as it goes, cutting out and refilling worn joints, replacing cracked or loose brick and resetting or sealing the flashing so the roof line sheds water again. If earthquake safety is on your mind, I'll explain what repair work can and can't do and point you to San Bernardino County's guidance so you can read it yourself.
When the trouble is mostly mortar washing out of the joints and the brick itself is sound, tuckpointing refills those joints with fresh mortar, and it's the same upkeep we do on brick walls and planters. Cracked, loose or missing brick on the chimney or around the fireplace falls under brick repair, where we match the size and color of what's already there.
Chimney repair in Yucaipa and nearby cities
Fire zone material rules
The City of Yucaipa says homes in a High or Very High fire danger zone need fireproof materials for new construction or qualifying renovation. We check what your address needs and handle any permit paperwork.
When quake damage runs deep
County guidance says that if quake damage runs below the firebox shoulder, where it narrows into the chimney, the whole firebox and chimney need replacing with light-frame construction. A patch won't fix that.
Get a written estimate for your chimney
Send the form and we'll reply within one business day to set a time. I come out, look at the chimney from the roof down and give you a free written estimate, with no obligation.
I write the estimate myself
The person who looks at your chimney is the same one who writes the estimate and checks our masons' work on site, so nothing gets lost between the visit and the job.
Work and materials in writing
Your estimate spells out the work and the materials, so you can see what's being repaired and why, and ask me about anything you don't follow before you decide.
Photos help us get ready
If you have photos of cracks, leaks or quake damage, have them ready to share, because they show me what to look for before I'm up on your roof.
Brick and stone masonry examples to talk over
These photos show brick and stone finishes, mortar joint styles and chimney details you can point to when we talk about matching your house.
Questions about chimney repair in Yucaipa
Straight answers to what people usually ask about chimney leaks, worn mortar, quake damage and what repairs cost around Yucaipa.
Is repointing my chimney enough to protect it in an earthquake?
No. County guidance encourages repointing, which restores the outer part of worn mortar joints, as regular upkeep, but says it does little to limit future quake damage. It also warns against steel braces that run down to the roof, since that kind of bracing may have promoted failures, so if anyone proposes bracing, ask how it was carefully engineered.
Why does water get in around my chimney?
Water often gets in at the joint where the roof meets the chimney, which needs both base flashing on the roof and counter flashing tucked into the chimney over it to keep water out of the house. The crown is easy to overlook too, and if its flashing and sealant fail, water can reach the space between the chimney wall and the flue liner.
Does my chimney need repair before a new liner goes in?
Plan on it. Selkirk, one liner maker, calls for an inspection to confirm the chimney is structurally sound before its liner goes in, and missing, loose or cracked masonry or mortar joints get repaired first. So if a liner is in your plans, schedule the masonry repair ahead of it.
What does chimney repair cost near Yucaipa?
Chimney repair in the San Bernardino area usually costs about $200 to $7,500 per project, and that's the area's typical range, not our price. The spread is wide because refilling a few worn joints and rebuilding a quake-damaged chimney are very different jobs. Your written estimate gives the figure for your chimney once I've seen it.
Do I need a licensed contractor for a small chimney repair in California?
For anything over $1,000, or anything that needs a permit, yes. The state's contractors board lets someone without a license do minor work up to $1,000, but only when the job needs no permit and that person employs no one. Past either line, the work calls for a licensed contractor, so it's worth asking before anyone climbs on your roof.
Call about that chimney leak or crack
A leak at the flashing is easier to fix before water soaks the brick and framing around it, so call (909) 768-8021 or use the form.