Chimney repair in Hilo HI - mortar and flashing that keep the water out
Crumbling joints, a cracked top or a water stain by the fireplace? We find where the water gets in and fix that first.
- Service
- Chimney repair
- Call
- (808) 229-1042
How can you tell your chimney needs repair?
Mortar crumbling from the joints
You find sandy mortar on the roof, or gaps where the joints have worn back from the face of the brick. That usually means water has been working through them, and the longer it goes, the more bricks come loose and the more of the chimney has to be rebuilt.
Cracks in the chimney top
The crown, the flat top surface around the opening, has cracks or chunks missing. Water then runs straight down into the brick every time it rains, so a small repair up top now costs less than a bigger repair inside the chimney later.
Stains near the chimney inside
You see water marks on the ceiling or wall beside the chimney, or damp wood in the attic around it. Often the flashing, the metal that seals the chimney to the roof, has let go, and waiting lets water soak framing and drywall that cost more to fix than the flashing does.
What does it take to fix a leaking, crumbling chimney?
Most chimney repair in Hilo is repointing, where we cut the worn mortar out of the joints between the bricks or stones and pack in new mortar, because the joints are the part of masonry that wears out first. Before any of that, we stop whatever water is getting in, so the new joints last.
Most people call me after they've spotted a stain or found mortar on the roof, and the first job is working out why, because new mortar won't last long if the water that ruined the old mortar is still getting in. The price turns on how many joints are worn, whether the crown or flashing needs replacing, how hard your roof is to work on and whether something else is feeding water into the chimney. The schedule turns on what we find once the old mortar is out and whether the job needs a permit. The written estimate gives you the scope and the price for your chimney.
Details to note before an estimate
- Where the water stains show up
- Loose bricks or crumbling mortar
- Cracks across the chimney top
- Gutters and downspouts near the chimney
How our chimney repair works
I start at the top, because that's where most chimney water gets in. I check the crown, then the flashing where the chimney meets the roof, then the joints down to the base, and we stop the water first by repairing the crown or flashing and fixing whatever else is feeding it. Only then does our crew rake out the worn mortar to sound material and pack in new mortar, tooled to match the joints around it so the repair doesn't stand out. We clean the brick and the roof before we leave.
The same worn joints often show up on the rest of the house. If your walls need it too, tuckpointing renews those joints with a fresh, neat line of mortar, and brick repair takes care of bricks that have cracked, flaked or come loose, so we can plan that work alongside the chimney.
Other masonry work that often goes with it
Tuckpointing
When your house walls show the same worn mortar as the chimney, renewing those joints keeps water out and tidies up the brick.
Brick repair
For cracked, flaking or loose bricks around the house, we swap out the damaged ones with a close match before the ones around them loosen too.
What happens after you call about your chimney?
Call and set a visit
Call (808) 229-1042 or send the form, and we'll set a time for me to come out. We're based in Hilo and work in Hilo, Hawaiian Paradise Park and the cities around them.
I find why it failed
I look over the top, the flashing and the joints and work out what's letting water in before I put a price on anything. That way you're paying to fix the cause, not just the part you can see.
You get a written estimate
It lays out the scope and the price, so you know exactly what you're agreeing to before any work starts. If the job needs a permit or an engineer, I tell you up front, and we handle the permit paperwork with the county and keep you posted on where it stands.
We build it, then walk it
Our own crew does the work the way the estimate is written, with me running it on site. When it's finished, I walk it with you before we call it done, and the work is backed by our satisfaction guarantee.
Questions before you book chimney repair
What causes mortar to wash out of a chimney?
Water does it, and a leaking downspout can wash mortar right out of the joints. The drainage has to be fixed before new mortar goes in, so plan and budget for that fix as part of the chimney repair. I trace where the water is coming from before I price any mortar work.
What is the best mortar for repointing a chimney?
Lime mortar is a good choice for historic homes, because it's soft and can re-seal hairline cracks on its own. Straight portland cement and sand mortar is extremely hard and shrinks as it sets. If your house is historic, ask which mix we plan to use, and I'll explain the choice in the estimate.
How much does chimney repair cost in Hilo?
A typical chimney cap and crown repair, installed, usually costs about $550 to $2,300 per job across the US. That's a national range for the cover and top surface of the chimney, so worn joints, flashing or drainage work will move your number from there. Your own price comes from the written estimate after I've measured and found the cause.
Does a chimney repair contractor need a license in Hawaii?
Yes, in most cases. Hawaii's contractor licensing board says anyone who offers or contracts to do residential construction, alterations or improvements generally must hold a contractor license. Jobs with a total price of $1,000 or less, counting labor, materials and taxes, are exempt, but not if the job needs a building permit or is part of a larger project. We're licensed and insured.
Can I repair my own chimney in Hilo without a contractor license?
You can if it's your own home, for your own use, and you register as an owner-builder with the county building department. You then supervise the work yourself, use only licensed subcontractors and can't offer the house for sale or lease within a year of finishing.
How do I know if my chimney needs an inspection before repair?
If you're selling the house or think the chimney has been damaged, ask for a closer inspection before any repair is planned. One chimney guide describes a Level 2 inspection for those cases that also covers the attic, the basement and the inside of the flue, the passage that carries smoke up and out. If you're in either spot, we'll talk that through before we plan anything.
Get a written estimate for your chimney repair
Send the form and we'll reply within one business day to set a time for me to come out. The estimate is free and done in person at your house, with no pressure to book. I measure, find what's letting the water in and give you the scope in writing.
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Book a look at your chimney
Call (808) 229-1042 or use the form, and have photos of the chimney top, the flashing and any water stains ready so I know what I'm walking into.