Brick Repair
We repair cracked and spalling brick, loose steps, rusted lintels and damaged block and stone. We find the cause first, then match the repair to the wall.
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Rain and wind hit a chimney from every side. Water soaks into the mortar joints, freezes and cracks them. Year by year, brick works loose and the crown on top breaks up. Steven Rigg Masonry does chimney repair for homes around Mechanicsburg and the Harrisburg area.
We repoint failed mortar joints and replace broken brick. We repair cracked crowns or replace them, along with broken flue tile tops. When the top is too far gone, we rebuild the chimney from the roofline in brick or stone veneer. Call or text (717) 608-2175, and we look at the chimney and put the quote in writing.
Tell us about the chimney, wall, steps or patio and where it is. We look at the job and put the quote in writing.
Chimney repointing fits when the brick is sound and the mortar has failed. Signs include open joints and mortar you can scrape out with a key. We grind out the old joints and pack in new mortar to match.
National Park Service guidance says to cut old mortar out at least twice as deep as the joint is wide. On most brick, that means about half an inch to an inch. The guidance says that depth gives new mortar a good bond and keeps it from popping out.
A chimney rebuild fits when the brick itself has failed. Loose, flaking brick and a top that leans are common signs. We take the chimney down to sound brick at the roofline and lay it back up with a new crown.
The chimney crown is the slab across the top of the chimney. It covers the brick and sends rain off the edges. The residential code Pennsylvania adopted calls for that top to slope and shed water, with a drip edge.
A cracked crown lets water down into the brick below it. At both Harrisburg airports, NOAA's 30-year climate averages show about 100 nights a year at or below freezing. Fewer than 20 days a year stay that cold all day, so trapped water freezes and thaws over and over. How far the cracks run decides whether we repair the crown or replace it.
Flue tile tops and caps are part of crown work. We replace a cracked flue tile top when we redo the crown. A cap over the flue keeps rain and animals from dropping in, and we set one with the job.
About a third of the homes in Mechanicsburg borough were built in 1939 or earlier, Census estimates show. In the cities of Harrisburg and York, it is more than 4 in 10. Brick from before the 1930s was often laid in mortar heavy in lime, which is softer than modern mixes.
National Park Service guidance says repointing mortar should be softer than the brick. Mortar that is too hard pushes stress into the brick, and the brick face cracks and flakes off. Masons call that spalling. For a chimney top above the roof, Carlisle's historic district guide says to err on the weak side.
Chimney repair is one part of our work as a masonry contractor in Mechanicsburg. When the walls below need the same mortar work, that is tuckpointing for walls and foundations. We work about 40 miles around Mechanicsburg, out to York, Lebanon, Hanover and Gettysburg.
Call or text for a written quote. We work about 40 miles around Mechanicsburg across South Central Pennsylvania.
(717) 608-2175From the first call or text to the finished work, here is how it goes.
Call or text (717) 608-2175 and tell us about the job and the town it is in. Text photos if you have them.
We come out to see the masonry and what caused the damage, like water getting in or ground that settled. For new work, we go over the plan and the materials with you.
You get a written quote that spells out the work. Once you say yes, we set a start date with you.
Repairs start with grinding out failed mortar or taking down loose brick. New work starts at the footing or the base, and then we lay the masonry on it. Mortar work follows the weather.
We clean the new masonry and the work area. Then we go over the finished job with you.
Common questions about chimney repair around Mechanicsburg and the Harrisburg area. If yours is not here, call or text and ask.
We repair cracked and spalling brick, loose steps, rusted lintels and damaged block and stone. We find the cause first, then match the repair to the wall.
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We build brick paver and flagstone patios on a compacted stone base with firm edging. Each one is pitched so rain runs away from the house.
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We build brick and stone walkways, front steps, porch steps, stoops and landings around Mechanicsburg. Old steps that have sunk or pulled away from the house get rebuilt on a new footing.
Learn MoreWe work in brick, block and stone. A job that mixes them, like a block wall with a stone face, takes one call.
We fix loose brick and failed mortar joints, and we rebuild worn chimneys. New work covers brick porches and columns, block foundation walls and stone veneer.
We look at the job before we put a price on it. Then you get the quote in writing, with the work spelled out.
Mechanicsburg sits at the center of our service area. Harrisburg, Carlisle, Hershey, York, Lebanon and Gettysburg are part of it too.
Real reviews of our masonry work, 3 reviews on Google.
Fastest company to get back to me, as well as educate me on the process behind building up a brick step up to the front door. I found that very beneficial, and added a sense of security and i always stand behind anyone who is that confident in their work, as well as going above and beyond!!!
Efficient, quick, and on time, rain played a factor but these guys didn’t let that affect them, stayed on the timeline they gave me and crushed it, the work speaks for itself
Steven got us scheduled very quickly and gave us a quote! He was very honest about the work we needed done and pointed us in the right direction for how it should be done. The finished project looked great! We would definitely recommend Steven and are very happy with his work. Thank you Steven!
Chimney repair cost in Pennsylvania: published market ranges for chimney repointing and crown repair, plus what a rebuild from the roofline runs.
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Tuckpointing vs repointing on Pennsylvania brick. What each word means, how masons judge failed joints, why old brick needs soft mortar and when to call.
Read more →Tell us what needs building or fixing and the town it is in, and text us photos if you like. Call or text (717) 608-2175 or use the form, and we will get back to you.
Tell us about the chimney, wall, steps or patio and where it is. We look at the job and put the quote in writing.