A masonry chimney is only as strong as its weakest point, and in Illinois, that point usually shows up first. Because chimneys stand exposed above the roofline, their mortar joints commonly fail five to ten years before the mortar on the rest of the house. Water gets into small cracks and pores, freezes, expands by roughly nine percent, and forces the brick face to chip or break away. That’s the process behind spalling brick, crumbling mortar joints, and the slow deterioration that eventually shows up as a leak inside the house. At All Chicago Construction, we handle chimney repair, tuckpointing, crown repair, flashing repair, cap installation, waterproofing, and full or partial rebuilds for homes and businesses across Schaumburg and the surrounding suburbs.
The chimney crown, the horizontal cap at the very top of the structure, takes the brunt of it. Because it’s a flat, exposed surface, it wears down two to three times faster than the vertical brick sides of the chimney, which is why crown damage is so often the first real warning sign. Left alone, a cracked crown lets water straight into the chimney system, accelerating everything else. We diagnose the actual source of the problem before recommending a fix, whether that’s a simple repointing job or a full rebuild.
From a single repointing job to a complete rebuild, we handle every kind of chimney work with the same attention to detail.
Cracked bricks, damaged mortar, or visible spalling? We diagnose the actual cause first, then repair it properly, restoring structural integrity without unnecessary tear out.
Mortar joints typically wear out well before the brick does. We grind out failing mortar and repoint with fresh, color matched mortar, which restores strength and stops water from getting deeper into the masonry.
When damage has gone beyond what repointing can fix, we rebuild. That can mean the crown, the top few courses of brick, or the full structure from the roofline up, built back with proper materials and reinforcement.
The crown sheds water away from the flue and the rest of the chimney, and because it’s a flat, exposed surface, it deteriorates faster than the vertical brick around it. We repair cracked crowns and pour new, properly sloped crowns that hold up through repeated freeze and thaw cycles.
Flashing seals the joint where the chimney meets the roof, and it’s one of the most common sources of chimney leaks when it corrodes, separates, or was installed incorrectly. We repair and replace flashing to keep water out of both the chimney and the roofing system underneath it.
An open flue lets in rain, snow, animals, and debris, all of which contribute to moisture damage inside the chimney. We install durable, properly fitted chimney caps that block the elements while keeping airflow where it needs to be.
Most chimney deterioration starts 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 damage often starts internally, well before it’s visible from the ground. We inspect the full structure, inside and out, to catch cracking, water intrusion, and early spalling while the fix is still simple.
Some chimney damage is obvious. Some of it starts inside the masonry long before you can see it. Watch for:
Most of these start small. A leaning or separating chimney in particular is worth addressing right away, since it often points to a foundation or footing issue rather than the brick itself, and it tends to get more serious the longer it’s left alone.
We inspect the chimney inside and out to find the actual source of the problem, whether that's failed mortar, a cracked crown, bad flashing, or something happening below the surface. We document what we find and walk you through it.
You'll get a clear, itemized estimate that lays out whether the situation calls for a repair, a repointing job, or a rebuild, along with materials, timeline, and pricing. No pushing 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 chimney, protecting your roof, landscaping, and property throughout the job.
When the work is done, we walk you through everything that was repaired or rebuilt, answer your questions, and make sure you're satisfied before we call the job complete.
A chimney is exposed to more freeze and thaw cycling than almost any other part of a home, since it stands above the roofline with no wall or overhang to protect it. We use materials chosen to handle that:
Materials are selected based on your chimney’s exposure, age, and condition, not by default.
Why Quality Chimney Work Matters
✅ Protects your home from water damage — a properly sealed, repointed chimney keeps moisture from reaching your walls, ceiling, or attic.
✅ Improves safety — repaired mortar, a solid crown, and a working cap reduce the risk of chimney fires, blockages, and structural failure.
✅ Extends your chimney’s lifespan — since chimney mortar typically wears out five to ten years before the mortar on the rest of the house, proactive repointing and waterproofing meaningfully add years of service life.
✅ Boosts home value — a clean, structurally sound chimney is one of the first things buyers and home inspectors notice.
✅ Improves fireplace performance — a sealed flue, working cap, and clear airway mean better draft and safer burns.
✅ Prevents costly future repairs — catching spalling or crown damage early is a repointing job. Left alone, it can become a full rebuild.
