Chimney Rebuild
When the brick itself is going, patching stops working. We rebuild it properly.
- Partial or full rebuild
- Flashing redone
- Licensed & insured
- Family owned since 1999
FRS Roofing + Gutters
Medford, MA · Serving Greater Boston
Chimney Rebuilding in Greater Massachusetts
A rebuild means taking the chimney down to sound masonry and laying it back up with new brick and mortar. Most rebuilds are partial — everything above the roofline — because that is the part exposed to weather on all four sides. We redo the crown and the flashing while the area is open.
Above-roof rebuild
The most common job: everything above the roofline.
Full rebuild
Down to the base when the damage runs deeper.
New crown
Poured crown with a proper overhang and drip edge.
Flashing redone
New step and counter flashing where the chimney meets the roof.
Brick matched
We source brick to match the house as closely as possible.
Documented
Photos before, during and after the rebuild.
Why it matters in Massachusetts
Above the roofline a chimney is exposed on every side, with no heat from the house to dry it out. That is where freeze-thaw damage concentrates. When bricks start spalling — the faces flaking off — the masonry is saturating and refreezing, and no amount of pointing or sealing will reverse it.
Partial rebuild vs. full rebuild
- Partial (above roofline)
- Most common. One to three days. Covers the exposed section.
- Full rebuild
- Down to the base or foundation. Needed when damage runs into the structure.
- Crown
- Poured concrete crown with overhang and drip edge, included.
- Flashing
- Step and counter flashing replaced while the roof is open.
- Typical lifespan
- 50+ years when built with the right mortar and capped.
Pros
- Solves the problem instead of postponing it
- Crown, cap and flashing all corrected at once
- Restores the chimney to a 50-year service life
- Removes a genuine safety hazard from above your roof
Cons
- The most expensive chimney repair
- Weather-dependent scheduling, spring through fall
- Brick match is close but rarely identical on older homes
Compare:
Chimney Repointing · Chimney Cap Installation · Chimney Sealant & Waterproofing
Our simple process
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1
Free inspection
We establish how far down the sound masonry starts.
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2
Written scope
Partial or full, brick match, crown and flashing included.
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3
Teardown & rebuild
Taken down to sound brick and rebuilt course by course.
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4
Crown, flashing, cleanup
New crown poured, flashing set, site left clean.
Backed by a real guarantee
Licensed & insured
Full coverage on structural masonry work.
One to three days
Most above-roof rebuilds, weather permitting.
Rated by homeowners
Trusted across Greater Boston since 1999.
Rated by homeowners across Greater Boston
Chimney Rebuild — questions
How do I know I need a rebuild rather than repointing?
Spalling brick faces, bricks that move when pushed, a visible lean, or large cracks running through brick rather than mortar. Photos from the inspection make this obvious.
How much of the chimney has to come down?
Only as far as the sound masonry. Most often that is the section above the roofline.
Do you replace the flashing too?
Yes, on above-roof rebuilds. Chimney leaks are as often flashing as masonry, so rebuilding without redoing the flashing leaves the job half done.
Is a leaning chimney an emergency?
It should be looked at quickly. A leaning chimney above a roof is a falling hazard. Call us and we will prioritise the inspection.
Will my homeowner insurance cover it?
Gradual weather deterioration is usually not covered; sudden damage from a storm, lightning or impact often is. We provide photos and documentation you can submit either way.
Get a free chimney rebuild quote
Tell us about your home and a specialist will call you back — usually the same business day. No obligation.