Can a historic chimney be repointed with modern mortar?

It should not be. National Park Service guidance says new mortar must be softer and more vapor-permeable than the brick. Hard portland cement mortar can crack and spall soft historic brick, and that damage is difficult to undo.

Do we need city approval to repair our chimney?

If the house is designated, eligible, or inside one of Riverside's historic districts, exterior work generally needs a Certificate of Appropriateness from the Planning Division. Interior work such as a firebox repair usually does not. We help prepare the application, including the scope and materials.

Do we need a rebuild?

Usually not. Open joints call for repointing. A rebuild is warranted when the structure has moved or cracked through, which is most likely after significant shaking: Riverside sits between the San Jacinto and San Andreas faults. We do partial and full rebuilds when the structure needs one, and say so when it does not.

There is a water stain near our chimney. What is it?

Most likely the flashing at the roofline, a cracked crown, or an open flue. Water rarely comes through sound brick. On an old chimney, eroded mortar joints are a fourth candidate, and that is a repointing job.

When can masonry repair be done in Riverside?

Most of the year. Mortar needs temperatures above freezing to cure, and freezing nights are few here. Hot, dry weather is the real constraint, especially for lime mortar, which has to be kept from drying out too fast while it cures. Summer work is planned for cooler hours or shaded faces.

Chimney Repair · Riverside

Chimney Repair in Riverside, CA

Many of Riverside's oldest chimneys were laid in lime mortar, and repairing them well starts with matching it.

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Chimney & Fireplace

Sweeping, inspection and repair

Wood, Gas & Factory-Built

Different systems, different work

Inspection Is Separate

Not bundled into a cleaning

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What is different about chimney repair in Riverside

Riverside's older neighborhoods, including the Mile Square and the Wood Streets, have brick chimneys built before portland cement mortar came into common use in the early 20th century, so many were laid in softer lime-based mortar.
The City of Riverside requires a Certificate of Appropriateness for alterations to designated or eligible cultural resources and to buildings in its historic districts, such as Heritage Square, Mt. Rubidoux, North Hill and Palm Heights.
Riverside sits between the San Jacinto and San Andreas faults, so a brick chimney that has been through significant shaking deserves a structural check before the next fire.

Lime Mortar Needs Lime Mortar

Before portland cement came into common use in the early 20th century, brick was laid in mortar made mostly of lime and sand. It is softer than modern mortar and lets moisture pass through it, and the brick around it was made to work with that.

The National Park Service's guidance on repointing historic masonry sets the rule for repairing it: new mortar must be softer and more vapor-permeable than the brick, and should match the original in color, texture and joint profile. A straight portland cement mix is extremely hard, and the same guidance warns it can crack and spall the brick in ways that cannot easily be repaired. On a historic Riverside chimney we repoint with lime-based mortar matched to what is there.

Approval Comes Before Exterior Work

The City of Riverside requires a Certificate of Appropriateness for alterations to a designated or eligible cultural resource, and to buildings inside its historic districts. Repointing, a new crown or a partial rebuild above the roofline can all count.

Applications go to the city's Planning Division. Some are decided by staff and others go to the Cultural Heritage Board. We help owners prepare the application: the scope of work, the mortar and brick to be used, and photographs of the chimney as it is. A chimney inspection gives you a documented record of its condition to attach, and the Planning Division can tell you whether your house is designated before any work is booked.

Repointing, Partial Rebuild or Full Rebuild

Most deteriorated historic chimneys need repointing, not rebuilding. Open joints between sound bricks are a mortar problem, and replacing the mortar keeps the original brick in place, which is what preservation guidance favors: repair before replacement.

A rebuild is the answer when the structure itself has moved, cracked through or lost its bond, often in the section above the roofline and especially after an earthquake. We do partial rebuilds, usually from the roofline up, and full rebuilds. On a historic chimney, sound original brick is salvaged and relaid where possible so the rebuilt section still matches. If you are quoted a rebuild for open joints alone, ask to be shown the structural movement. Our chimney repair page covers how repair work is scoped.

This page covers chimney repair specifically in Riverside. For how the service works generally, see chimney repair in our California service areas. For every service available in this city, see chimney services in Riverside.

Other services in Riverside

Chimney Sweep & Cleaning Chimney Inspection Fireplace Repair Fireplace Cleaning Chimney Cap Installation Dryer Vent Cleaning

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Chimney Repair in Riverside — common questions

Probably, though it is worth confirming. Portland cement was not in common use until the early 20th century, and by the 1930s most masons used a portland-and-lime mix. Lime mortar is noticeably softer than modern mortar. Some old chimneys were also repointed with cement decades ago, which changes the repair.

Chimney Repair in Riverside

Tell us what the chimney or fireplace is actually doing and we will tell you which service applies — including when the answer is that you do not need one yet.

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