Chimney Repair for Leonia chimneys
Leonia's older houses often have tall brick chimneys, sometimes more than one, serving fireplaces and the heating system. Many date from the early 1900s, originally served coal or oil, and still have their original clay liners or none at all in some flues. Tall chimneys on steep roofs are exposed above the roofline for much of their height, and freeze-thaw has worked on them for a century.
Common findings are cracked crowns, missing caps, open mortar joints and spalling brick at the top, liners that have cracked or were never updated for gas, and flashing that has been tarred over many times.
We inspect, clean, reline, rebuild crowns, install caps, repoint, waterproof and reflash, and we do partial rebuilds from the roofline up when the top of the chimney is too far gone.
Leonia housing
Leonia has a large share of older single-family homes, many from the late 1800s through the 1920s: Victorian-era houses, shingle-style and foursquare houses and early colonials, many with wraparound or full-width porches, dormers and tall chimneys. Later colonials, capes and some two-family homes fill in the rest, along with a small commercial strip with flat-roofed buildings.
Weather & exposure
The borough is sheltered from the worst Hudson wind by the Palisades ridge to the east, but its slope means water moves downhill quickly in heavy rain, and the lower blocks near Overpeck Creek see more ground moisture. Mature street trees shade many roofs and fill gutters each fall. On houses this old, freeze-thaw is the steady enemy of chimneys, porch roofs and masonry.
Repair, repoint or rebuild in Leonia
If your Leonia chimney has loose brick at the top, a cracked crown, white staining or a missing cap, schedule an inspection before winter. If you plan to use a fireplace that has been idle, have the flue inspected first.
If a gas heating system vents into an old flue, ask us to check the liner. Estimates are free.
