Chimney Repair for Paramus chimneys
Paramus chimneys are a generation younger than those in the pre-war boroughs, but they have their own problems. The typical post-war chimney is a single-flue brick stack built in the 1950s or 1960s for an oil-fired furnace or boiler, with a clay tile liner and a thin mortar-wash crown. Many have since converted to gas without relining, and the thin crowns have cracked under decades of freeze-thaw.
On low-pitched split-level and ranch roofs, the chimney flashing takes more standing water than on a steep roof, and the base of the chimney stays wet longer. We see spalled brick at the roofline, rusted flashing and crowns that have broken into pieces. Repairs are usually straightforward: a new poured crown, a cap, repointing, waterproofing and, where needed, a properly sized stainless liner.
Because we also roof, we handle the flashing as part of chimney work. A good number of Paramus chimney leaks are flashing failures rather than masonry failures, especially on low-pitched roofs where water sits against the base of the stack. We inspect the crown, the brick and the flashing together and fix whichever one is actually letting water in.
Paramus housing
Paramus developed rapidly after World War II. Its residential neighborhoods are dominated by split-levels, ranches, Cape Cods and some bi-levels from the 1950s and 1960s, typically with moderate or low-pitched asphalt shingle roofs and single brick chimneys. The Route 17 and Route 4 corridors carry a large concentration of retail, office and commercial buildings, nearly all with flat or low-slope roofs.
Weather & exposure
Paramus lies inland, west of the Hackensack River, on relatively flat ground. Wind exposure is moderate compared with the Palisades boroughs. The Saddle River runs through the borough, and low areas near it see flooding during heavy rain. Residential streets planted after the war now have large mature trees. Low-pitched post-war roofs shed water slowly and are prone to ice dams and ponding at valleys, and summer thunderstorms bring wind and hail.
Repair, repoint or rebuild in Paramus
If your Paramus chimney has a crumbling crown, white staining, loose brick at the roofline or has never been relined since converting to gas, have it inspected. Most repairs are a day or two of exterior work. A chimney that has deteriorated badly above the roof can be rebuilt from the roofline up with matching brick.
If you are planning a roof replacement, have the chimney addressed first or at the same time. New flashing against a crumbling chimney is money wasted. Estimates are free.
