Jim Baird Posted September 22, 2015 Report Share Posted September 22, 2015 This 40 yr old chimney has leaked from time to time lately into the fireplace. A roofer pointed out to owner that he had brick problems there, and recommended a mason. Mason looked, called for two men, two weeks, estimated cost to cut out and replace 60 bad brick, $16,500. Looks like original mason used a mixed bag of reclaimed brick, and the softies are disintegrating. Could this column be lathed and stuccoed over with a new cap? Click to Enlarge 111.35 KB Click to Enlarge 116.37 KB Click to Enlarge 128.67 KB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kurt Posted September 22, 2015 Report Share Posted September 22, 2015 Yeah, it's a pile of mush in there, but $16K for chopping out 60 bricks and replacing them?!? Is there some compelling reason why so much? I'd fabricate a nice sheet metal cap that drains, hemmed edges, and a drip profile with a kick at the bottom. It'll hold together for a long time if you can just get the water off. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Katen Posted September 22, 2015 Report Share Posted September 22, 2015 $275 per brick. I don't think so. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Raymond Posted September 22, 2015 Report Share Posted September 22, 2015 Drop a zero and you'd be close to the cost to tear it down to the roof line and put it back up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marc Posted September 22, 2015 Report Share Posted September 22, 2015 I wouldn't recommend covering that mess up with the moisture retarder integral to lathe, even with my scant knowledge of brick/mortar. Marc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kurt Posted September 22, 2015 Report Share Posted September 22, 2015 Sheet metal. The longer I'm in the gig, the more I like sheet metal solutions for water issues. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjr6550 Posted September 23, 2015 Report Share Posted September 23, 2015 I'll do it for $8250 and throw in the travel for free. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Baird Posted September 23, 2015 Author Report Share Posted September 23, 2015 Thanks for the replies. Mark, I would pass along your offer but was thinking of bidding 5K myself. Those here don't appear to think stucco would help, that good cap with good drip function is what is needed. I have seen lots of stuccoed chimney columns on older houses. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Kibbel Posted September 23, 2015 Report Share Posted September 23, 2015 When the spalled bricks have eroded back about 3/8", patch them with Lithomex. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kurt Posted September 23, 2015 Report Share Posted September 23, 2015 Brick refacing in action. Personally, I wouldn't bother on a chimney; chimneys usually fall apart from the inside out, and rebuilding works better, but repairing brick faces is not all that complicated. This is my house. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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