Chimney Repair for Irvington chimneys
Irvington's early 20th-century houses were built with brick chimneys for coal furnaces, and on two- and three-families a single stack often carries separate flues for each unit. Most now vent gas furnaces and water heaters through flues far too large for them, and many have gone decades without a proper crown or cap.
We repair chimneys throughout Irvington: repointing, crown replacement, caps, flashing, stainless steel liners, rebuilding of deteriorated upper sections, waterproofing and cleaning. On multi-unit houses and apartment buildings, we inspect each flue individually and line those serving gas appliances where needed.
On three-story houses, chimneys rise high above the street and the neighbors. Loose brick at that height is a hazard to both properties and to anyone below. We plan access carefully and address safety items first.
Irvington housing
Irvington's housing is dense and mostly early 20th century. Frame two- and three-family houses, many with a front gable and flat or low-slope rear sections, line most residential streets on narrow lots. Brick apartment buildings and mixed-use buildings along Springfield Avenue and other corridors have flat roofs with parapets. Many houses were built with brick chimneys for coal heat, and three-family houses often have flat or nearly flat roofs.
Weather & exposure
Irvington is largely flat to gently rolling, so wind exposure is moderate, but houses stand close together and many are three stories, which puts their roofs and chimneys above the neighbors and into the wind. Close spacing means runoff and ice from one roof affect the next. Flat roofs on three-families and apartment buildings pond during heavy downpours, and freeze-thaw cycles work steadily on old masonry.
Repair, repoint or rebuild in Irvington
An inspection of the crown, cap, masonry, flashing and each flue sets the scope. For most Irvington chimneys, that means a new crown and cap, repointing or rebuilding the top courses and liners for gas appliances. Loose masonry over walkways or driveways comes first.
Landlords should keep track of which flues serve which units. When a furnace or water heater is replaced, have the flue checked so the new appliance vents safely.
