There is a point where patching stops making sense. When mortar joints have failed throughout, brick faces are spalling across multiple courses, the structure is leaning, or the chimney has separated from the house, repairs become an expensive way to postpone the inevitable. Peters Chimney Masters rebuilds chimneys properly — matched brick, correct mortar, a real crown, proper flashing, and a liner sized for the appliance it serves.
A rebuild is the largest project we do, and it is the one we recommend least often. We will always show you the evidence before suggesting it.
Partial rebuild versus full rebuild
A partial rebuild — sometimes called a rebuild above the roofline — addresses the portion of the chimney exposed to the weather, which is where the overwhelming majority of deterioration occurs. The exposed stack is dismantled down to sound masonry and rebuilt with new brick, new mortar, a new crown, new flashing, and a new cap. It is a fraction of the cost of a full rebuild and, when the concealed portion is genuinely sound, it is the right answer.
A full rebuild takes the chimney down to the foundation and reconstructs the entire structure. It is warranted when interior masonry has failed, when the footing is inadequate or damaged, when the chimney has shifted structurally, or when the flue system is beyond salvage. It is a multi-day project involving demolition, debris handling, framing coordination at the roof penetration, and full reconstruction.
Deciding between them requires evaluating the concealed sections — attic, crawlspace, and interior chase where accessible — not just the visible stack. We do that before quoting anything.
How we build a chimney to last
Brick selection comes first. We match dimension, texture, and color to your home so the rebuilt stack reads as original rather than as an obvious repair. On period homes this takes real effort, and it is worth it.
Mortar is specified to the brick, not to convenience. Softer, lime-rich mixes for historic soft brick; modern mixes where the units call for it. The wrong mortar is one of the most common reasons a rebuilt chimney starts failing again within a decade.
The crown is poured reinforced concrete with slope away from the flue, an overhang past the brick face with a formed drip edge, and a compressible bond break at the flue tile so thermal expansion does not crack it. Flashing is step and counterflashing, with the counterflashing let into a cut joint. The flue is lined appropriately for the appliance — clay tile or stainless steel — and the cap is stainless with a spark arrestor.
None of these details are visible from the street. All of them determine whether the chimney lasts fifteen years or fifty.
What to expect during the project
Most rebuilds run two to four days depending on height, access, and scope. Day one is typically setup, protection, and demolition; the middle days are masonry; the final day is crown, cap, flashing, and cleanup.
We protect your roof and landscaping before demolition begins, contain and haul all debris, and sweep the roof and grounds daily rather than leaving a site to accumulate. Access equipment is staged to minimize disruption to your driveway and entry.
Weather governs the schedule. Masonry needs appropriate temperature and dry conditions to cure correctly, and we will delay a pour rather than compromise the work. You will always know where the schedule stands.
Free rebuild evaluations
We rebuild chimneys across Pasadena, Arcadia, Monrovia, Altadena, Glendale, Sierra Madre, San Marino, Temple City, Duarte, South Pasadena, La Cañada Flintridge and the surrounding San Gabriel Valley, including on older homes where the goal is a chimney that looks like it has always been there.
Rebuild estimates are free, detailed, and itemized so you can see exactly what is included: demolition, materials, liner, crown, flashing, cap, debris removal, and cleanup. No line items appear later.
If we can save your chimney with a partial rebuild or targeted masonry repair, we will tell you — that is a smaller job for us and a much smaller bill for you, and it is the honest recommendation more often than most homeowners expect.
Warning signs to watch for
Visible lean or separation
A chimney pulling away from the house is a structural emergency, not a cosmetic issue.
Widespread spalling
Failed brick faces across multiple courses mean the stack has lost its weather barrier.
Missing mortar throughout
When joints have failed across the entire stack, spot repointing is no longer economical.
Loose or shifting brick
Units that move by hand indicate the stack has lost structural integrity.
Schedule your chimney rebuild today
Free written estimates, same-day appointments, and licensed technicians seven days a week. Call now and speak with someone who actually works on chimneys.
Call (866) 752-4313