Chimney Rebuilds

Local Chimney Rebuild Professionals

Does Your Chimney Need a Rebuild? Trust Our Certified & Experienced Sweeps

A well-built masonry chimney and fireplace can last up to a century. With proper maintenance and routine care, your family can enjoy a safe and functional chimney for decades. However, even the best maintenance plans cannot always prevent severe damage that requires professional intervention.

What happens if a tree falls onto your chimney during a storm? What if it’s struck by lightning? Or perhaps you recently moved into a new home where the real estate inspection did not include a thorough chimney inspection, missing foundational issues? In these situations, simple repairs may not be enough—a full chimney rebuild may be necessary.

 

Expert Chimney Rebuild Services

A chimney rebuild may seem overwhelming at first, but with the right professionals overseeing the project, it doesn’t have to be stressful or time-consuming. Oesterling Chimney is a full-service chimney and dryer vent company serving residents in Cincinnati and the surrounding areas. Our team is dedicated to ensuring that your chimney rebuild process is smooth and hassle-free.

Contact us today by phone or schedule an appointment online. Give us a call or schedule with us online today.

Common Causes of Chimney Damage

Chimneys are exposed to various elements that can cause wear and deterioration over time. The most common causes of chimney damage include:

Moisture Exposure

Water is the number one threat to your chimney’s structural integrity. Since brick is porous, moisture can seep in, leading to significant damage if left unchecked. Early signs of water intrusion include:

  • Water in the firebox
  • Musty odors from the chimney
  • Damp sections on walls and ceilings near the fireplace
  • White staining on the exterior bricks (efflorescence)
  • Crumbling mortar or masonry on the roof around the chimney
  • Warped or missing flashing

In Cincinnati’s cold winters, the freeze/thaw cycle exacerbates moisture damage. When water penetrates the brick, it expands as it freezes, creating cracks and further weakening the structure. This repeated cycle can eventually make the chimney unsafe until professional repairs or a rebuild are completed.

Lack of Proper Maintenance

Just like gutters and septic systems, chimneys require routine care to function safely. The Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) recommends annual chimney inspections and sweepings to remove creosote buildup and other obstructions.

Regular chimney cleaning is crucial because:

  • Creosote buildup can lead to dangerous chimney fires.
  • Debris from animals nesting in the chimney poses fire hazards.
  • Inspections help detect issues before they require costly repairs or rebuilds.

Skipping inspections—even if you use your chimney infrequently—can lead to major problems. Wildlife, such as birds, raccoons, and squirrels, often nest in chimneys, introducing fire hazards and health concerns into your home.

Severe Weather & Natural Disasters

Storms, high winds, and falling tree branches can cause significant chimney damage. If your chimney has sustained impact damage, contact Oesterling Chimney for an inspection. Our team will assess the structure and recommend the best solution to restore its integrity.

Chimney rebuild in progress with technician working while standing on scaffolding

Chimney Repair vs. Chimney Rebuild: Understanding the Difference

When chimney damage occurs, homeowners must decide whether a repair or a rebuild is necessary.

  • Repairs: Suitable for minor issues such as a cracked chimney cap, crown damage, or deteriorating mortar. These are cost-effective solutions that restore functionality without extensive work.
  • Rebuilds: Required when structural integrity is compromised, such as when chimneys are leaning, crumbling, or missing large sections. In these cases, repairs are insufficient, and starting from scratch ensures long-term safety and durability.

Unsure which option is best for you? One of our certified technicians will conduct a thorough inspection and recommend the best course of action based on your budget and chimney condition.

Side view of Chimney rebuild in progress with technician working while standing on scaffolding

Why Choose Oesterling Chimney for Your Chimney Rebuild?

A properly rebuilt chimney provides peace of mind for decades. Unfortunately, some homeowners opt for the cheapest contractor without verifying their credentials, experience, or customer reviews. Cutting corners on a chimney rebuild can lead to:

  • Substandard workmanship
  • Future costly repairs
  • Increased safety risks

To ensure quality results, choose a company certified by the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) with positive online reviews and a strong reputation for integrity—like Oesterling Chimney.

Schedule Your Chimney Rebuild With Oesterling Chimney

Are you ready to rebuild your chimney? At Oesterling Chimney, we understand the stress a project of this size can cause homeowners. We strive to provide an experience that is as seamless as we can. Call our Batesville location at 812-934-3512, our Columbus location at 812-372-3512 or request an estimate online. We can’t wait to speak to you!

Additional Services: Brick Staining

Looking to refresh the appearance of your brick? Our brick staining services can restore and enhance your masonry, giving it a clean, updated look. Contact us to learn more about how brick staining can transform your home’s exterior.

Chimney Rebuilding FAQ’S

Browse the questions we get ask regularly from our Chimney Rebuilding customers. If you don’t see the answer to a question you have, don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re here to answer all of your questions.

Additional side view of brick chimney after rebuild with restored and repaired masonry, new stainless steel chase cover and cap

First things first, what kind of chimney rebuild do you need? The two most common types of chimney rebuild are a partial rebuild and a complete rebuild. Which one is right for you depends on what type of issues we identify in your chimney and where.

Partial Rebuild: This type of rebuild is best when only a few sections of brick appear to be crumbling, spalling, cracked, or missing. These repairs are entirely above the roofline and do not involve scaffolding. A partial rebuild may involve a complete replacement if the chimney is small or the replacement of only the top few rows or layers of brick in larger chimneys
Complete Rebuild: Major structural concerns tend to require a complete rebuild. If your chimney is leaning, has spalling in several areas, or has a lot of mortar and brickwork deterioration, we may recommend this path. Our technician will remove the damaged sections of your chimney and replace them with new materials. This could also include replacing all the metal materials in the chimney that have been compromised by rust and corrosion due to water damage.

If you’ve recently had a rebuild completed, then doing everything possible to protect your investment is a must. Here are some things we recommend…

Annual Inspections: Investing in inspections every single year (ideally in the spring or summer before your burning season) is the most effective way to keep your system in good shape season after season. These overviews allow your sweeps to spot any hidden damage or buildup that might affect performance or weaken your system.

Regular Sweepings: Should excess creosote or buildup be present, you’ll want to have a sweeping completed as soon as you can – and definitely before lighting any more fires. Creosote in your flue ups your chances of experiencing a chimney fire, and it affects the system’s ability to vent properly too.

Waterproofing: Once your masonry is restored, waterproofing will prevent it from soaking in moisture and breaking down again down the line. Trust our qualified crew to get it done right with vapor-permeable products.

Chimney Cap Installation: Chimney caps play many roles in keeping your system running safer over time. Their main job is to keep out snow and rain, but they also block downdrafts, keep out animals and flying debris, and can serve as spark arrestors.

Prompt Repair Work: If your sweep points out damage (or if you notice concerning spots on your own), the sooner you invest in repairs the better off you’ll be. The longer chimney decay and deterioration go unaddressed, the worse it will get. Schedule repair work right away to avoid more expensive fixes down the line.

We're Here for you

Bring Us in To Rebuild Your Chimney

When chimney damage is beyond repair, a full rebuild may be necessary. Our experts specialize in high-quality chimney rebuilds that restore structural integrity, safety, and aesthetics. Don’t wait until it’s too late—contact us today to discuss your chimney rebuild options!