Chimney repair in Oxnard CA - a chimney that keeps rain out of your house
Water stain on the ceiling by the fireplace or loose brick up top? We find where the water gets in and seal it.
Why is my chimney leaking, and what will fixing it take?
Chimney repair in Oxnard is mostly about keeping water out of your house. We seal the joint where the chimney goes through the roof and fix the crown, mortar and brick above it.
You usually notice it inside first. It might be a brown stain on the ceiling by the chimney, damp drywall beside the fireplace or a musty smell after rain. Most leaks we see start at the flashing, the metal seal where the chimney meets the roof, so I look there and at the crown before I blame the brick. If the mortar between the bricks is crumbling, we may add tuckpointing, where we rake out the bad joints and pack in new mortar.
The price depends on how much is failing. Resealing the flashing is a smaller job than flashing, a new crown and rebuilt brick, and a steep or two-story roof takes more setup. The schedule turns on the weather, on whether your job needs a permit and on whether a sweep has to clean the chimney first. I check the permit question with the city before we start, and the written quote spells out what's included and why.
What chimney repair should cover
Before anyone climbs up, it helps to know what a full chimney repair looks at. That way you can compare quotes on the same parts of the job.
Both pieces of flashing
Masonry guidance says the roof joint needs base flashing along the roof and counter flashing set into the brick that laps over it. When you compare quotes, ask whether each one includes both.
Metal flashing
The same guidance recommends metal flashing because it stands up to high heat and weather. If a quote doesn't say what the new flashing is made of, ask before you sign.
The crown and cap
The crown is the concrete top that sheds rain off the brick, and the cap is the hood over the flue. A cracked crown lets water straight into the chimney, so we patch small cracks and recast a crown that's breaking up.
Brick work before a liner
One liner maker says cracked, loose or missing bricks or tiles have to be fixed before a new liner goes in. When a liner is planned, we do the brick repair first, so budget for both.
Chimney repair questions from Oxnard homeowners
Where does a chimney most need protection from water?
Masonry guidance points to three spots: the base of the chimney, the joint where it meets the roof and the crown on top. I check all three on every estimate, because a quote that only looks at the brick face can miss where the water is getting in.
How much does chimney repair cost in Oxnard?
Across the US, cap, crown repair and waterproofing work usually costs about $550 to $2,300 per job. That's a national figure for planning, not our price. Your own number comes from the written quote I put together on site, which lists each item so you can see what you're paying for.
Do I need a permit for chimney repair in Oxnard?
It may need one, so we ask the city before any work on the roof joint or brick starts. Oxnard's Building & Engineering Division issues building permits, and its over-the-counter list names re-roofing and windows but not chimney repair. If a permit is needed, the city's online permit portal is where inspections get scheduled and fees get paid, and we take care of that part for you.
What is the best way to get a chimney ready for a new liner?
Have a certified chimney sweep clean it first, because that's what the liner maker recommends. Book the sweep early so the cleaning, the brick repair and the liner happen in the right order.
How do I protect my living room during chimney work?
Move or cover the furniture and rugs near the fireplace, because chimneys are usually full of soot and dust, and the liner maker advises this during cleaning and liner work. We also cover the hearth area and clean up before we leave.
Should I repoint my whole chimney or just fix the leak?
Usually you only need to fix what's failing. If your mortar is still hard and tight, I'll tell you to leave it alone, and the quote will only list the flashing, joints or brick that need work.
Why Oxnard homeowners call Blockworks Oxnard Concrete and Masonry for chimney repair
We're based in Oxnard and work in many of the cities around it. You get a straight answer about what your chimney needs, and the finished work matches the quote.
The owner writes your quote
I come out to look at your chimney and write the estimate myself.
In business since 2013
I learned to lay brick, block and stone on crews before I started this business in 2013.
A lead mason on your roof
Our crew works under a lead mason, and I check on the job as it goes.
Fully licensed and insured
We're fully licensed and insured, and you can ask me about it when I come out.
Your satisfaction, guaranteed
We quote only the work your chimney needs, and that's the work the crew does.
Book a look at your leaking chimney
Photos of the chimney top, the roof joint and any stains inside help me spot the likely leak before I come out, so have them ready when you call (805) 342-2830 or fill out the form.
What happens when you call about your chimney in Oxnard?
We plan the visit and the quote around what you've been seeing at home. Nobody goes up on your roof to work until you've read the quote and said yes.
Call or send the form
Call (805) 342-2830 or use the form. Tell us where water shows up inside and whether it gets worse after rain.
I look at the chimney
I come out, look over the chimney top and ask what's been going on, so we fix the cause and not just the stain.
Your written quote
I write the quote line by line, with what we'd do and why, so you know what each part of the job covers.
The work and walk-through
If you go ahead, we sort out any permit with the right office and the crew does the work. Then I walk the finished job with you.