Serving Milwaukee & Southeast Wisconsin
Milwaukee winters are hard on chimneys. Water soaks into brick and mortar, freezes, expands and pushes joints apart, one freeze-thaw cycle after another. Left alone, a small crack becomes a leak, then spalling brick, then a chimney that has to be rebuilt. The Chimney Expert repairs chimneys of every age and type across Milwaukee and Southeast Wisconsin, from tuckpointing and crown repair to flashing, rain caps, liners and full rebuilds. We find the real source of the problem, explain it in plain terms, and fix it right the first time.
Leaking or crumbling chimney? Call (414) 350-4263 for a free chimney repair estimate.
Chimney Repair Services We Provide
Tuckpointing and masonry repair
We grind out failing mortar joints and repack them with fresh mortar to restore strength and keep water out. We replace cracked or spalling brick and rebuild damaged sections when needed.
Chimney crown repair and replacement
The crown is the concrete cap on top of the masonry, and it is the chimney's roof. We inspect and repair both formed and poured crowns. Small cracks can be sealed; a crown that is broken or badly built is replaced so water sheds away from the brick.
Chimney flashing repair and installation
Flashing is the metal that seals the joint between the chimney and the roof. Rusted, torn, loose or missing flashing and failed caulk are among the most common causes of chimney leaks we see. We install and repair flashing set into the mortar and worked into the shingles. Ice and water shield is available where needed. See our chimney flashing page.
Rain caps and chase covers
A missing or damaged cap lets in rain, animals and debris. We install stainless steel and concrete rain caps. See our rain cap page.
Leak diagnosis and repair
A chimney leak can come from the crown, flashing, cap, porous brick or failed mortar, and often from more than one. We trace the water to its source before recommending a fix, so you are not paying for the wrong repair.
Flue, liner, firebox and damper repair
We repair and install flues and chimney liners, and inspect and repair fireboxes. A damaged liner or firebox can let heat and gases reach your home's framing.
Chimney rebuilding and removal
When a chimney is past repair, we rebuild it from the roofline or from the ground up. See our chimney building page and our Greendale rebuild project. We also remove unused chimneys, as in our Milwaukee chimney removal and B-vent project.
Signs Your Chimney Needs Repair
- Water stains on the ceiling or wall next to the chimney, or water in the firebox
- Crumbling, missing or recessed mortar joints
- Brick that is flaking, cracking or popping off (spalling)
- White, chalky staining (efflorescence) on the brick
- A cracked, chipped or crumbling crown
- Rusted, bent, lifted or missing flashing, or dried-out caulk
- A missing, rusted or loose rain cap
- Pieces of tile or masonry falling into the fireplace
- A chimney that leans or pulls away from the house
If you see a leaning chimney or loose bricks at the top, keep people away from below it and call us right away.
Our Chimney Repair Process
- Call (414) 350-4263. Tell us what you are seeing: a leak, stains, loose brick or a damaged cap.
- Inspection: we look at the chimney from the roof down, including crown, cap, flashing, masonry, flue and firebox.
- Free estimate: you get a clear explanation of what is wrong, what we recommend and why.
- Repair: our crew completes the work with attention to detail and protects your roof, landscaping and home.
- Clean-up and walkthrough: we remove all debris and show you the finished work.
Why Fixing Chimney Damage Early Saves Money
Masonry damage does not stay small in Southeast Wisconsin. Each winter, water in a cracked crown or open joint freezes and widens the gap. Tuckpointing a few courses or resealing flashing now is far less disruptive than replacing rotted roof decking, drywall or the top of the chimney later. Late spring through fall is the best season for masonry work, because mortar and concrete need temperatures above freezing to cure properly.
Chimney Repair Safety
Chimney repair means working on steep roofs with heavy masonry, and the results protect your home from fire, water and carbon monoxide. We recommend you do not use a fireplace with a damaged flue, liner or firebox until it has been inspected. Our crew is licensed, bonded and fully insured, so you are protected while we work on your home.
Why Choose The Chimney Expert for Chimney Repair
- More than 30 years of chimney building and repair in the Milwaukee area
- A masonry crew that handles everything from tuckpointing to full rebuilds
- Real local projects: Greendale rebuild, Fox Point repair and restoration, Hales Corners repair, Mayville flashing and tuckpointing
- Free estimates and affordable rates
Chimney Repair Service Areas
Serving Milwaukee & Southeast Wisconsin: Milwaukee, Wauwatosa, West Allis, Greenfield, Greendale, Hales Corners, Franklin, New Berlin, Muskego, Oak Creek, South Milwaukee, Cudahy, St. Francis, Shorewood, Whitefish Bay, Fox Point, Glendale, Brown Deer, Brookfield, Waukesha, Menomonee Falls and Mayville.
Do not let one more winter widen the cracks. Call (414) 350-4263 for a free chimney repair estimate in Milwaukee & Southeast Wisconsin.
Chimney Repair FAQ
How much does chimney repair cost in Milwaukee?
Cost depends on the repair: resealing flashing or replacing a cap is a small job, while tuckpointing, a new crown or a rebuild costs more. The Chimney Expert inspects the chimney and gives a free estimate. Call (414) 350-4263.
Why is my chimney leaking?
The most common causes of chimney leaks are damaged or missing flashing, a cracked crown, a missing rain cap, and porous brick or failed mortar. Often more than one cause is involved, so the source should be found before any repair is made.
What is tuckpointing, and does my chimney need it?
Tuckpointing means removing worn mortar from between the bricks and replacing it with new mortar. Your chimney likely needs it if the joints are crumbling, recessed or missing, or if bricks are loose. In Milwaukee, freeze-thaw cycles speed up mortar failure.
Can a cracked chimney crown be repaired?
Yes. Small cracks in a chimney crown can often be sealed. If the crown is broken, crumbling or was built poorly, it should be replaced so water drains away from the chimney. The Chimney Expert repairs both formed and poured crowns.
When should a chimney be rebuilt instead of repaired?
A rebuild is usually needed when a chimney leans, has widespread spalling or loose brick, or the masonry above the roofline is badly deteriorated. A chimney inspection will show whether repair or rebuilding is the better choice.
Who does chimney repair near Milwaukee, WI?
The Chimney Expert repairs chimneys across Milwaukee and Southeast Wisconsin, including tuckpointing, crown repair, flashing, rain caps, liners and rebuilds. Call (414) 350-4263 for a free estimate.