Chimney repair in Turlock CA - mortar and flashing fixed so water stays outside
Crumbling joints or a ceiling stain beside the chimney? We repair the mortar and the roof flashing together and fix the cause, not just the stain.
Chimney repair is really about keeping water out
Chimney repair is mostly two jobs. We replace mortar that's gone soft or cracked, and we fix the flashing, the metal seal where the chimney meets your roof. When either one fails, water gets into the house, and you usually spot it as a stain on the ceiling or a damp patch beside the fireplace.
At Precision Turlock Concrete and Masonry, I check the joints and the flashing together, because most leaks we see come down to one or both. The price moves with how much needs tuckpointing, whether bricks need brick repair, the state of the flashing and how hard the chimney is to reach. The schedule turns on weather and whether a permit is needed, and your estimate gives you the figure.
- Old mortar cut out to an even depth
- Joints packed full and tooled to match
- Flashing sealed tight where chimney meets roof
- Loose or cracked bricks fixed, not covered over
Patch it, repair it or rebuild
The right fix depends on how far the damage goes, and a repair that's too small usually means paying for the same leak again later.
Spot repair
- When it fits
- A few cracked joints in one area, with the flashing still sealed tight.
- What it involves
- Cutting out and refilling the bad joints, then checking the rest closely.
Repoint and reflash
- When it fits
- Soft mortar across the chimney or a leak at the roof line.
- What it involves
- Repointing the worn joints and replacing the flashing in the same visit.
Rebuild the top
- When it fits
- Loose, cracked or missing bricks, or a chimney top that's starting to lean.
- What it involves
- Taking the chimney down to sound brick and relaying it with new mortar.
How a chimney repair runs
You reach out
Call (209) 410-9284 or use the form and tell us what you're seeing, and we'll get back to you to set a time to come out.
I look it over
I come out myself, look over the mortar, the bricks and the flashing, and write up what I'd do and what it costs.
Permit, if needed
If your job needs a permit, we take care of the paperwork. The city wants it issued before work starts and asks for lead time for plan review.
Our crew does the work
Our crew lead and masons cut out the bad joints, repoint them, repair any damaged brick and replace the flashing at the same time.
Check and clean-up
I look over the finished work myself before we call it done, and we clear the debris off your roof and out of your yard.
What to weigh before a chimney repair
These are the things I look at on every chimney, and they decide what goes into the repair and what shows up on your estimate.
Flashing comes in two parts
A sound roof joint has base flashing worked into the shingles and counter flashing set into a mortar joint over it, so if a bid covers only one, ask why.
Mortar that suits the brick
New mortar should match the old in color and be no harder than the brick, because mortar that's too hard sends the stress into the brick and can crack it.
Damage you can't see yet
Some damage only shows once old mortar comes out or the flashing comes off, so I'll point out up front what could change the plan.
Fix the chimney first
If you're planning a new liner or a new roof, it usually makes sense to fix loose bricks and bad joints first, so the new work isn't sitting on a weak chimney.
What good chimney masonry looks like
Look for joints that are full and even, flashing that sits tight to the brick and a chimney top with no cracks. Tap any photo to enlarge it.
Tell us about your chimney
Tell us about any cracked mortar or leaks near the roof line, and we'll reply within one business day to set up a free on-site estimate, with no obligation.
To talk now, call
(209) 410-9284Chimney repair questions we hear
Another question? Call (209) 410-9284
How much does chimney repair cost in Turlock, CA?
Chimney repair in the Modesto area usually costs about $550 to $7,500 per project, which is the going range around here and not our price. Where your job lands depends on how much mortar, brick and flashing need work. After I walk your chimney, the estimate gives you your own figure.
How often should I get my chimney inspected?
Once a year. The U.S. Fire Administration tells homeowners to have chimneys cleaned and inspected every year by a professional, who checks that the chimney is sound, free of deposits and has the right clearances. A deeper inspection with a video scan of the flue is usually called for before selling, before a reline or after a chimney fire.
Do I need a permit for chimney repair in Turlock?
Some chimney repairs in Turlock need a permit and some don't, and the city's Building and Safety Division can tell you about yours at (209) 668-5560 or building@turlock.ca.us. The property owner is responsible for the permit, but a licensed contractor can apply and sign for you, which is how we handle it.
What is tuckpointing and when does a chimney need it?
Tuckpointing means cutting the old mortar out of the joints to an even depth and refilling them with fresh mortar. It's usually time once the mortar has gone soft, worn down or cracked, because that's where moisture gets in, and fresh joints cut that down.
What license should a chimney repair contractor have in California?
California's contractor licensing board has a masonry class that covers brick and other baked clay products, natural and manufactured stone, and fire brick for heat-resistant work, so ask which class a contractor holds before you hire. We're licensed and insured.