Chimney Repair for Ho-Ho-Kus chimneys
Older Ho-Ho-Kus homes often have large masonry chimneys, sometimes more than one, serving fireplaces and the heating system, and some are built partly of stone. These chimneys are decades or more than a century old, and their liners, crowns and mortar have been through countless freeze-thaw cycles. Some fireplaces may predate modern liners entirely.
Common findings are deteriorated or missing liners, cracked crowns, eroded mortar, missing caps, and stone or brick that has loosened near the top. On wooded lots, uncapped flues collect leaves and attract animals, and shaded masonry stays damp.
We inspect, clean, reline, rebuild crowns, install caps, repoint, waterproof and reflash, and on older chimneys we explain carefully which findings are safety issues.
Ho-Ho-Kus housing
Ho-Ho-Kus is predominantly single-family homes. A good share are older houses from the late 1800s through the 1930s, including colonials, Tudors and Victorian-era homes with steep roofs, multiple gables and large chimneys, mixed with post-war colonials and split-levels and some newer custom homes. Small commercial buildings with flat roofs make up the downtown near the station.
Weather & exposure
The borough is hilly and wooded, so many homes sit on slopes under tall trees, with shaded roofs and gutters that fill every fall. Low ground along Ho-Ho-Kus Brook can see high water in heavy storms, and homes nearby deal with damp soil and humid basements. Older masonry chimneys and stone foundations take years of freeze-thaw.
Repair, repoint or rebuild in Ho-Ho-Kus
If you use the fireplaces in an older Ho-Ho-Kus home, have each flue inspected before relying on it, and annually after that. Loose masonry at the top, a cracked crown or staining inside are signs to schedule an inspection promptly.
If a heating system vents into an old chimney, ask us to check the liner. Estimates are free.