Illinois weather is hard on masonry. Freeze-thaw cycles, driving rain off Lake Michigan systems, and decades of use all take a toll on brick and mortar. When a chimney starts to crack, lean, or leak, small problems grow quickly — and a failing chimney can let water and combustion gases into the home. Indigo Chimney Sweep repairs and rebuilds chimneys throughout Joliet so your system stays sound and watertight.
Repairs we handle
- Tuckpointing — grinding out crumbling mortar joints and repacking them with fresh, color-matched mortar to restore strength.
- Brick replacement and rebuilds — swapping spalled or missing brick, or rebuilding the chimney above the roofline when deterioration is severe.
- Crown repair — patching or recasting the concrete crown that caps the masonry and sheds water away from the flue.
- Flashing and leak repair — sealing the joint where the chimney meets the roof, a common source of ceiling stains.
- Waterproofing — applying a vapor-permeable sealant that keeps water out while letting the masonry breathe.
Signs your chimney needs repair
Watch for white staining (efflorescence) on the brick, gaps in the mortar you can slide a key into, chunks of masonry in the yard, rust on the damper or firebox, or water stains on the ceiling or walls near the chimney. Any of these means water is getting where it should not. Catching it early is the difference between a modest tuckpointing job and a full rebuild.
Not sure how bad it is? Start with a chimney inspection — we will photograph the damage and give you a clear, prioritized plan. If the liner is compromised, our relining service restores a safe flue, and a new cap or crown prevents the water intrusion that caused the damage in the first place.
We repair chimneys across Joliet, Lockport, Shorewood, Mokena, and nearby communities. Every repair comes with an up-front price and a plain explanation of what we are fixing and why.
Get your chimney repaired before winter. Call (815) 296-9565 or book online.
Chimney flashing repair and replacement
If your ceiling or attic shows water stains near the chimney, flashing is usually the culprit — not the masonry itself. Flashing is the system of thin metal pieces that seals the joint where your chimney passes through the roof. It is one of the most common leak points on any home, and one of the most commonly done wrong, because a chimney interrupts the way a roof sheds water and the flashing has to route that water around all four sides.
The parts of a watertight flashing system
Good chimney flashing is really several overlapping layers working together, and skipping any one of them invites a leak:
- Base (apron) flashing covers the front, downhill side of the chimney, where runoff hits first.
- Step flashing is a series of L-shaped pieces woven into each course of shingles along the chimney’s sides, so water steps down and away rather than running behind the shingles.
- Counter (cap) flashing is set into a groove cut in the mortar joints and folded down over the step flashing, sealing the top edge so nothing can get in behind it.
- A cricket or saddle — a small peaked structure behind wider chimneys — diverts water and leaves around the back instead of letting them pool against the brick.
Why chimney flashing fails
Most flashing leaks we find on Joliet-area homes come from age and shortcuts, not bad luck. Galvanized flashing rusts through after a couple of decades. Some roofers rely on a thick bead of roofing tar or caulk instead of properly set counter flashing — and that tar dries out, cracks, and fails within a few years. Freeze-thaw cycles work the counter flashing loose from the mortar, and a roof replacement done without redoing the flashing correctly leaves gaps hidden under the new shingles.
We repair and replace chimney flashing the right way: cutting fresh reglets for new counter flashing, weaving proper step flashing into the roof, and sealing it to last — not smearing over the problem with tar. Because a failed flashing and a cracked crown can leave the very same water stains, we always confirm the true source with a chimney inspection before recommending the fix.
Frequently asked questions
What is tuckpointing and do I need it?
Tuckpointing is the process of removing failing mortar and repacking the joints with new mortar. You need it when the mortar between the bricks is cracked, recessed, or crumbling, which lets water into the structure.
How do I know if my chimney crown is damaged?
A damaged crown often shows hairline or wide cracks on the flat concrete top of the chimney, along with spalling brick just below it. Because the crown sheds rain, even small cracks lead to bigger water damage.
Why is water leaking around my chimney?
The most common causes are failed flashing where the chimney meets the roof, a cracked crown, or porous, unsealed brick. An inspection pinpoints which one is the culprit.
Is chimney waterproofing worth it?
Yes, once the masonry is sound. A breathable sealant blocks the freeze-thaw damage that causes spalling and mortar loss, extending the life of the repair significantly.
Can you match my existing brick and mortar?
In most cases, yes. We match brick size and mortar color as closely as possible so repairs blend with the original chimney.
How long do chimney repairs take?
Tuckpointing or a crown patch is often a one-day job. Full rebuilds above the roofline take longer and depend on weather, since masonry needs dry conditions to cure.
Should I repair or rebuild my chimney?
It depends on how much of the masonry has failed. If deterioration is limited we repair; if the structure is unstable or large sections are spalled, a partial rebuild is safer and lasts longer. Our inspection tells you which.
What does chimney repair cost?
Every repair is different, so we inspect first and give you a price up front. See our pricing page or call (815) 296-9565.
Reviewed by Jamie Reed, operations manager at Indigo Chimney Sweep — 17 years in the trade, serving Joliet and the surrounding Will County communities.
Published July 20, 2026 · Last updated August 9, 2026