Chimney Repair & Masonry

The chimney crown is the first line of defense against water. Learn the warning signs of crown damage on Hinsdale homes and when to repair or rebuild.

A practical guide to choosing a chimney cap for Hodgkins homes, covering sizes, materials and the warning signs that yours needs replacing.

If your North Riverside home has a factory-built fireplace, the metal chase cover on top is a top source of leaks. Here is what it is and when it needs replacing.

Above the firebox sits the smoke chamber, an often-overlooked part of older Riverside chimneys. Here is what it does, why rough or damaged smoke chambers are risky, and how parging fixes them.

Westchester's classic brick Georgians have chimneys that are decades into their mortar life. Here is how to spot failing joints and why tuckpointing before winter matters.

Homes near the Des Plaines River in Lyons see more chimney wildlife than most. Here is how animals get in, why it is dangerous, and how a cap keeps them out.

Riverside is a National Historic Landmark full of original masonry chimneys. Here is how freeze-thaw damage starts and how to protect an old chimney through winter.

A rusted or undersized chimney cap lets rain and animals into La Grange Park chimneys. Here is how to tell when a cap needs replacing and what a good one does.