Masonry Chimney Repairs in Victoria, BC: Why Choose Us?

Chimney In Need of Repairs?

Lennox Masonry of Victoria, BC has you covered when it comes to repairing or rebuilding your chimney. Here’s why: With over 25 years of chimney repair experience, Lennox Masonry has built a high-quality and reputable track record of protecting their client’s homes by ensuring their chimneys remain in good standing. After all, a chimney is usually the first entry point for water and moisture to penetrate the interior of a house.

But How Do We Protect Your Most Precious Investment?

Victoria, BC is a wet climate and receives an average of 700mm of rain on an annual basis. Rain and moisture can wreak havoc on a chimney which is not fully sealed from the elements. When there is loose mortar or cracks between the bricks/stones, water is able to make its way between the cracks and work its way into the interior of the chimney. When that water freezes and later contracts, it can increase the size of the gap between the bricks and mortar, as well as lessen the strength of their bond. As water travels further into the chimney, it can and will eventually enter the home. Here are the steps we take to prevent that from happening:

Chimney Repointing:

Repointing a chimney consists of recessing the mortar between stones or bricks to a certain depth, cleaning out the cavity, and then applying new mortar in order to ensure a strong bond throughout the chimney. At Lennox Masonry, we use a specific ratio of lime-based cement to sand to water, depending on the type of brick or stone we are working with. Lime-based cements take longer to cure than Portland-based cements, which increases the curing time of the chemical reaction between the lime, water, and sand. The benefit of a longer curing process is that the bricks or stones have more working time to compress the mortar and create an even greater bond. Lime has been used for millennia as a bonding agent, and as we can see when looking around the world at ancient stone structures, there is a good reason for that. We repoint nearly 30 chimneys each year.

Chimney Rebuilding:

Rebuilding a chimney is usually the final solution to a problematic chimney. A rebuild is only necessary if the bricks are spalling and flaking apart due to trapped moisture over the years, the mortar has become so decrepit that repointing isn’t going to ensure a strong chimney, or, the chimney just isn’t aesthetically pleasing anymore and a new masonry finish is desired. When it comes to rebuilds, the entire chimney is demolished down to the roofline and new bricks/stones and flue liners are installed. On average, we rebuild nearly 20 chimneys annually.

Capping a Chimney:

The top of the chimney is usually capped off with concrete or mortar. Victoria, BC masonry building codes require that chimneys now need a concrete crown (cap) to overhang the chimney on all sides and ensure that there is expandable Styrofoam between the flue liner(s) and the concrete. These concrete crowns require a degree of knowledge when it comes to properly forming and pouring concrete. They also a need a drip-edge to prevent water from rolling underneath the crown and onto the brick or stonework. You can trust us to build your chimney the cap it needs!

Flashing a Chimney:

Flashing is a critical and crucial aspect of chimney repairs. The flashing protects the chimney and the interior of the house from water as it runs down the roof. We thoroughly inspect and seal the flashing during each repair. If the flashing is deemed unreliable, we have the expertise and know-how to remove it and replace it for you.

So, Why Use Lennox Masonry For Your Masonry Chimney Repairs in Victoria, BC?

Due care and attention to detail. Period. We take the time to ensure that the ratio of mortar we are using will stand the test of time and continue to bond with the bricks or stones over the long haul. We take great pride in restoring our community to better than original standards and we have the expertise to guarantee that it will last a lifetime. You will rest easy knowing you made the right choice.

Contact us today to setup a consultation at your earliest convenience.

Lennox Masonry of Victoria, BC has been proudly serving both Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands for over a decade. We are small group of skilled masons with a great deal of passion towards our trade and for improving the communities we live and work in. We extend our gratitude to the lək̓ʷəŋən people for allowing us to share and work in this corner of the garden with them. We are thankful for the residents and businesses of Victoria, BC for supporting us in our endeavors!

If you’re in need of a professional and reliable masonry company for your next project, please contact us today!