Chimney Repair for Demarest chimneys
Chimneys on Demarest's pre-war homes are often a centerpiece of the house: tall brick or stone stacks, sometimes with decorative chimney pots or corbelled tops, serving a living room fireplace and the heating system. They were built for coal or oil, and many have since been converted to gas without relining.
Tall chimneys above steep roofs take full exposure to weather. Corbelled and decorative tops have more joints for water to enter. Heavy shade keeps masonry damp, and freeze-thaw cracks crowns and loosens brick.
We inspect, clean, reline, rebuild crowns, install caps, repoint brick and stone, waterproof and reflash, and we can rebuild chimney tops while preserving their character as closely as possible.
Demarest housing
Demarest is predominantly single-family. A notable share of homes date from the 1920s and 1930s, including Tudor-revival, colonial and Dutch colonial styles with steep roofs, dormers and prominent brick or stone chimneys. Post-war colonials and splits and newer custom homes on larger lots fill out the rest. Commercial buildings are few and concentrated in the small center.
Weather & exposure
Demarest is heavily wooded, with mature trees over most properties. Tree cover means limbs on roofs after storms, gutters and valleys full of leaves, and shaded slopes that stay damp and grow moss. The borough is inland and fairly sheltered from wind, though the east side rises toward the Palisades. Freeze-thaw cycles each winter work on the older chimneys and on the steep valleys of pre-war roofs.
Repair, repoint or rebuild in Demarest
If your Demarest chimney has loose brick, eroded mortar, a cracked crown, white staining or water in the firebox, have it inspected. Most of these conditions are repairable with repointing, a crown, a cap and waterproofing. Deteriorated decorative tops may need rebuilding.
If your heating system vents through an old flue that was never relined, ask us to check it. Estimates are free and include photos.
