A Full Chimney Restoration in Portland — Built Right, Built to Last

The Chimney Rebuilds: Starting Fresh From the Ground Up

Both of Vernon’s chimneys had deteriorated to the point where patching them up just wasn’t going to cut it; a full rebuild was the right call. A chimney rebuild means we take down the deteriorated masonry and rebuild it from scratch using fresh brick and mortar. Chimneys break down over time due to water seeping into cracks, Oregon’s freeze-thaw winters, and years of heat and heavy use. Once the structure starts to go, it becomes a safety issue for the whole home. Rebuilding both chimneys at the same time made great sense, our crew was already on site, scaffolding was up, and Vernon now has two solid, safe chimneys that will hold up for decades.

Chimney Flashing: The Seal That Keeps Water Out of Your Home

Flashing is the metal seal where your chimney meets your roof, and its one job is to keep water out of that gap. When it gets old it can rust, pull away, or simply stop sealing, and once that happens, rainwater works its way into your home, leading to ceiling stains, damaged rafters, soaked insulation, and even mold. We replaced the flashing on both of Vernon’s chimneys with properly fitted, durable metal flashing sealed tight to both the chimney and the roof. In Portland’s rainy climate, solid flashing isn’t optional; it’s one of the best investments a homeowner can make to protect the structure of their home.

Chimney Crowns: Your Chimney’s First Line of Defense

The chimney crown is the concrete cap at the very top of your chimney; think of it as a little roof that sheds water away from the flue and the masonry below. Crowns crack over time from constant weather exposure, and a cracked crown lets water in. That water freezes in winter, expands, makes the cracks bigger, and slowly works its way down into the chimney structure. We repaired Vernon’s crowns so they’re smooth, properly sloped, and sealed tight. It’s one of the most cost-effective repairs you can do on a chimney; a simple fix that stops a whole chain of bigger, more expensive problems before they start.

Masonry Wall Repair: Keeping the Structure Solid and Looking Sharp

Vernon also had some masonry wall repair that needed attention. Brick and mortar walls are tough, but the mortar between the bricks can crack and crumble over time, and once those joints fail, water gets in behind the wall. That triggers the same freeze-thaw damage that hurts chimneys, slowly pushing the wall apart from the inside. Our crew re-pointed the mortar joints and replaced any compromised brick, sealing the wall back up and restoring its strength. The wall repair also sets the stage for the concrete wall pour we have coming up for Vernon later this summer; getting the existing masonry solid first means the new work will tie in cleanly and hold up exactly the way it should.

Have a chimney or masonry project you’ve been putting off?

We’d love to take a look. Contact Integrity Chimney today for your FREE estimate — no pressure, no obligation.

Integrity Chimney | Tualatin, Oregon | Serving Portland & the Greater Metro Area