Is your chimney tilting? Missing bricks? Whether it’s due to extensive water damage, improper repairs, or neglect, a chimney can deteriorate to the point where it requires complete rebuilding from the ground up. If this sounds like your chimney, don’t despair. The certified professionals and skilled masonry contractors at Smoke Stacks have a proven track record spanning over ten years in rebuilding beautiful and durable masonry chimneys throughout the MKE Metro, including Caledonia, Elm Grove, Jackson Park, New Berlin, and surrounding areas.

Why is Chimney Rebuilding Necessary?

Sometimes the signs are more evident, such as a chimney that leans like the Tower of Pisa or has more holes in it than a slice of Swiss cheese. In some cases, an inspection reveals foundation issues that necessitate rebuilding to prevent a collapse, which could cause extensive property damage. Rebuilding the chimney from the ground up provides the opportunity to tailor it to your home’s heating needs and appliances, such as a gas fireplace, wood stove, furnace, and boiler.

So, how can you tell if your chimney needs a complete rebuild? Here are some of the signs to look for:

Significant Leaning or Tilting: Any noticeable lean, even a slight tilt, suggests a structural issue with the foundation or base of the chimney.
Extensive Mortar Decay: If mortar joints are crumbling, missing, or extremely soft across a large portion of the chimney, its structural integrity is severely compromised.
Widespread Spalling or Cracking Bricks: When a significant number of bricks are flaking, crumbling, or deeply cracked, it indicates extensive water damage that has weakened the entire structure.
Large Voids or Missing Sections: Substantial holes or entire sections of brickwork missing are clear signs of severe deterioration and a compromised structure.
Foundation Cracks or Settlement: Cracks in the chimney’s foundation or visible settlement can lead to overall instability and require a rebuild from the ground up to address the root cause.

If you notice any of the above issues, do not use your fireplace or any appliance connected to the chimney until a Certified Chimney Sweep® inspects the structure. Please get in touch with us to schedule an inspection at your earliest convenience.

Partial Vs. Ground Up Rebuilding

After a thorough chimney inspection, a certified chimney sweep will determine whether a partial rebuild or a complete rebuild is necessary. This decision depends entirely on the extent of the damage.

Partial Rebuild

A partial rebuild is suitable when only the upper sections of the chimney (typically above the roofline) have suffered significant damage, often due to weather exposure or age, and the lower sections and foundation remain structurally sound.

Ground Up Rebuilding

During a ground-up rebuild, our specially trained technicians and masonry contractors carefully dismantle the entire chimney, down to its foundation, and rebuild it from the ground up. This comprehensive process is necessary when the damage is extensive or when the foundation itself is compromised. While it may require a more significant investment, it provides the most comprehensive and long-lasting solution for severely damaged chimneys, ensuring a perfectly stable and efficient structure from its base to its cap.

The Many Benefits of Rebuilding Your Chimney

In addition to continuing to enjoy the warm and cozy ambiance of a fireplace or stove, investing in chimney rebuilding offers numerous advantages for Southeast Wisconsin homeowners:

Enhanced Safety: A rebuilt chimney ensures safe operation of your heating appliances by providing a sound and stable structure that can properly vent combustion byproducts and withstand our Wisconsin climate.
Long-Term Durability: By starting from the ground up with high-quality materials and expert craftsmanship, a rebuilt chimney will stand for decades, offering superior longevity compared to patchwork repairs.
Improved Efficiency: A new, properly constructed chimney and flue system will enhance the draft and efficiency of your fireplace, stove, or furnace, potentially reducing energy costs.
Decorative Options: A complete rebuild allows you to integrate decorative features, like a custom chimney cap that complement your home’s exterior.
Increased Home Value: A beautiful, structurally sound chimney significantly enhances your home’s exterior appeal, which could add substantial value to your property.
Code Compliance: Rebuilding ensures your chimney meets all state and local safety and building codes, avoiding fines for a non-compliant structure.

Other Masonry Repairs

We recognize that every property is unique, with its own distinct needs and challenges. That’s why Smoke Stacks offers a range of repairs to tackle any masonry problem, including:
Repairing and rebuilding chimneys in Dousman & Colgate, WI

Fireplace Repair
Tuckpointing
Brick/Stone Replacement
Historic Chimney Restoration

Call Smoke Stacks for Ground Up Chimney Rebuilding in Greater Milwaukee

At Smoke Stacks, we take pride in constructing beautiful, structurally sound, and long-lasting masonry chimneys, allowing residents in the Milwaukee-Waukesha Metro area and surrounding southeastern Wisconsin communities to operate their liquid and fossil fuel appliances safely and efficiently. Our certified professionals and skilled masonry contractors are committed to using the highest-quality materials with expert craftsmanship, ensuring complete client satisfaction.