Bergen County, New Jersey
Chimney Masonry Repair and Inspection in Ho-Ho-Kus, NJ
Ho-Ho-Kus is a borough of detached, owner-occupied houses with a substantial share built before 1950. Brick that has been through that many winters can flake.
Ho-Ho-Kus, in Bergen County, is about 88% detached houses and 93% owner-occupied, with a median home value of about $1.1 million. The Census puts about 34% of homes before 1950 and the median build year at 1957.
Our office in Glen Rock is in the same county.
In houses of this age, freezing is a common cause of brick damage. We explain it here because it affects what repair you need and what you do not.
Learn
Why brick spalls
Brick is porous. Water soaks in, freezes and expands, and over many cycles the face of the brick breaks off. The technical term is spalling. It is most common on the upper part of a chimney, which gets the most exposure and has no roof to protect it.
Spalling usually has a cause: a failed crown, eroded mortar joints, a missing cap, or a bad flashing. Treating the brick without treating the cause rarely lasts. Depending on how far it has gone, the options include replacing individual bricks, repointing the joints, or in worse cases rebuilding part of the stack. The guides on spalling and freeze-thaw and repointing versus rebuilding help decide between them.
If bricks are flaking, ask what is letting water in, not just how to replace the brick.
What we look at
Signs of freeze-thaw damage
Flaking faces
The outer layer of the brick peels off in flakes or sheets.
Rough, pitted surface
Brick faces eroded by repeated wetting.
Soft or sandy mortar
Joints that have lost their strength let water reach the brick.
Debris at the base
Chips of brick and mortar on the roof, in gutters or in the firebox.
Symptoms
Reading the signs
| Symptom | Possible cause | Next step |
|---|---|---|
| A few flaked bricks near the top | Local water exposure | Repoint and replace those bricks |
| Widespread flaking | Long-term water entry | Assessment, possible rebuild |
| Loose bricks you can move by hand | Mortar failure | Do not use the fireplace until checked |
| Efflorescence together with flaking | Ongoing moisture | Find the source |
Housing profile
What the housing mix means in Ho-Ho-Kus
Nearly all housing is detached and owner-occupied, with about a third built before 1950. Brick that has been through that many winters can flake, so reading the signs of freeze-thaw damage early keeps a small repair small.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
Can spalled brick be repaired without rebuilding?
Often individual bricks can be replaced and joints repointed. How much depends on how far the damage extends.
Do I need to stop using the fireplace?
If bricks or mortar are loose enough to move, have it looked at before another fire.
Can I just coat the brick?
A coating over damaged brick or open joints does not fix the cause and can trap moisture.
Service areas
Other areas we serve
Chimney Academy
Guides that go with this page
Questions about your chimney in Ho-Ho-Kus?
Call us, or send a scheduling request. We will contact you to confirm. Your appointment is not confirmed until we do.