Chimney Repair for Englewood chimneys
Englewood's chimneys reflect its housing: tall multi-flue brick and stone stacks on the east-side estates, single and double chimneys on the pre-war colonials in the center, and multi-flue chimneys serving two heating systems on the west-side two-families. Nearly all predate 1960, most have original clay liners, and many have been through oil-to-gas conversions without relining.
East-side chimneys near the top of the hill take more wind-driven rain and more freeze-thaw than those lower down, so crowns crack and brick spalls faster there. West-side two-family chimneys tend to have liner and sizing problems from serving two appliances. Downtown, commercial chimneys and boiler stacks have their own maintenance needs. We inspect, clean, reline, rebuild crowns, install caps, repoint, rebuild and waterproof all of them.
Because we also roof, we handle flashing as part of chimney repair. A large share of Englewood chimney leaks are at the roofline, not in the masonry, and on houses with two or three chimneys that is two or three separate details to get right. We inspect the crown, brick and flashing together and fix whichever one is letting water in.
Englewood housing
Englewood's housing ranges from large late-1800s and early-1900s homes and estates on the hilly east side, through pre-war colonials and Tudors on the central residential streets, to older two-family homes and modest capes on the flatter west side. Downtown along Palisade Avenue has mixed-use and commercial buildings with flat roofs, plus garden apartments and newer multifamily. Some east-side homes retain slate roofs.
Weather & exposure
The east side of Englewood climbs toward the Palisades ridge, and homes near the top take more wind than the rest of the city, especially during nor'easters. Mature trees cover much of the east and central sections, dropping limbs and debris and shading north slopes. The west side is lower and flatter, closer to Overpeck Creek and Route 4, with occasional flooding in the lowest areas. Freeze-thaw cycles affect masonry citywide.
Repair, repoint or rebuild in Englewood
Have an Englewood chimney inspected if you see a cracked crown, missing cap, white staining, loose or spalled brick, tile fragments in the cleanout or firebox, or if the house converted to gas without relining. Most repairs are exterior masonry done in a day or two. Badly deteriorated stacks are rebuilt from sound masonry up.
If you use fireplaces, have the flues cleaned and inspected before the season. Estimates are free, and we explain what we find with photographs.
