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Frequently Asked Chimney & Masonry Questions | Victoria & Duncan BC
Island Chimney Solutions answers the top questions homeowners facing leaks, cracks, and maintenance issues in our wet coastal climate ask.
Servicing Victoria to Duncan, we provide expert repairs with WETT-certified inspections.
Categories
Chimney Leaks & Water Damage
I have water pouring into my house and fireplace after heavy rains. What is the issue and what can be done to stop it?
Water working its way down into your home can occur due to several reasons: a crack between the cap and the flue liner; an open flue liner; a lack of mortar or sealant between the brick or stone and the flashing; and mortar joints which may be decrepit or non-existent.
Our team at Island Chimney Solutions will be able to help determine exactly what the issues are.
What causes chimney leaks in Victoria’s rainy climate?
Chimney leaks often stem from deteriorated flashing, cracked mortar joints, or failing caps, allowing rainwater to seep into the masonry during frequent downpours common in Greater Victoria and Cowichan Valley. Repointing mortar and sealing the flashing where it meets the chimney prevent interior water damage and mold growth. Island Chimney Solutions offers long-term repairs for urgent leaks in Victoria and Duncan homes.
Chimney Caps:
What is a chimney cap?
A chimney cap, also known as the crown of a chimney, is a concrete slab that sits on top of the chimney and surrounds the flue liners while also overhanging the brick or stonework. Island Chimney Solutions adheres to all Canadian building codes and local municipality building codes as well.
What are the building codes for chimney caps?
A chimney cap must overhang the chimney by 3" on all sides to allow for a drip-edge (an indent along the underside of a chimney cap which diverts water from running down the chimney) and must also be 4" thick. The top of the cap should be also be sloping down towards the corners.
There must also be a weather/air barrier between the top of the brick or stonework and the new cap, as well as around the clay flue liners. The gap between the cap and the flue liners must then be caulked and sealed from the elements. This ensures that every component of the chimney fluctuates at its own pace during the freeze and thaw cycles without cracking.
Lastly, while forming and pouring the concrete chimney cap or crown, rebar or steel mesh must be placed in the center of the concrete to thoroughly re-enforce it.
What happens after the cap has been poured?
The concrete will take roughly a week to fully cure before we can remove the forms, touch a few things up, and clean up the surrounding area.
How long will the new chimney cap last?
Your new chimney cap should last for at least two decades, assuming that no major tremors, earthquakes, or weather events occur.
Chimney Repointing:
What is chimney repointing?
Chimney repointing is the process of removing the mortar from between the bricks or stones to a depth of 1.5" and replacing it with new mortar. Here at Island Chimney Solutions, we will be able to determine exactly what type of mortar is required for your specific chimney and the materials that it is made of.
How long will it take the mortar to cure?
Depending on the season, it may take anywhere from 36-72 hours for the mortar to cure properly before any heat can be reintroduced to the chimney. We'll let you know prior to repointing your chimney.
What happens after the mortar has cured?
Once the mortar is fully cured, we will then clean the chimney and remove any residual mortar stains from the repointing process.
How long will the new mortar last?
Island Chimney Solutions uses lime-based mortars which will last a lifetime as long as the chimney is properly maintained and is not subjected to excess moisture from within the chimney itself. For example, a chimney cap which has cracks or openings will lead to excessive moisture in behind the brick or stone and will create issues for the mortar.
Chimney Rebuilds:
When is a full chimney rebuild necessary in Victoria or Duncan?
Rebuilds are necessary when severe leaning, extensive cracks, a lack of mortar, or foundation failure occur, often from years of water erosion in BC’s wet climate—beyond repointing scope. Partial teardowns to roofline suffice for many chimney rebuilds. Our team of chimney repair specialists here at Island Chimney Solutions can assess whether a rebuild is necessary via photos or a site-visit and determine if a rebuild is required.
What permits are required for chimney rebuilds in Greater Victoria?
Demolition and rebuild permits from the City of Victoria or Duncan, plus building plans, are mandatory for code compliance on height, materials, and seismic standards. We handle submissions for seamless starts. Expect 2-4 weeks processing when booking with our professional team of chimney experts.
How much does a chimney rebuild cost in Duncan or Victoria, BC?
Costs for chimney rebuilds within Greater Victoria and the Cowichan Valley can range from $8,000-$25,000 depending on height (to roofline or ground-up), materials (brick/stone), and heritage chimney requirements if your home is heritage-designated. Factors also include scaffolding and flue liners.
How long does a chimney rebuild take?
Typically 1-3 weeks: permits (2-4 weeks prior), teardown, rebuild, and curing—weather-dependent in rainy and cold seasons. Scaffolding setup and teardown adds 1-2 days. We can prioritize urgent Victoria/Duncan jobs if the chimney is a safety hazard.
Can heritage chimneys be rebuilt to match originals?
Yes, using era-specific bricks and lime mortar for Victoria’s and Duncan's historic homes, preserving aesthetics while meeting modern codes. Full restorations include damper shelfs and smoke chambers. Our team specializes in 100+ year-old structures and we are well versed in using traditional lime-based mortars to match that of the original mortar used in the building of a heritage chimney.
General Chimney Questions:
What is a clay flue liner?
A clay flue liner is a ochre, rectangular, vertical material which allows the chimney to vent and expel its heat upwards. You can see them sticking out just above the chimney cap. The amount of clay flue liners present in your chimney will depend upon how many ventilation shafts are required within a home. Each heat source will require its own flue liner.
Flue liners, much like everything else, will eventually need replacing.
What is a chimney pot?
A chimney pot looks similar to a small concrete house and is built to sit around overtop of a clay flue liner. Chimney pots help to ensure that weather, rodents, and other debris don't make their way down the flue liner.
What is flashing?
Flashing refers to the sheet metal at the base of the chimney where it meets the roofline and is in place to ensure that weather does not make its way between the chimney and the roof, leading to water damage within the home.
We need a new fireplace insert but it won't currently fit. Are you able to expand the fireplace?
Yes! Island Chimney Solutions is able to rebuild, repair, expand, and remodel both the facade of the fireplace, as well as the firebox of the chimney (where the insert sits). Expansions entail a thorough inspection as there is usually a damper box and smoke chamber resting on top of the firebox which is also supporting the clay flue liners.
Consultation Process:
How does your consultation process work?
You can begin the process by either calling us or emailing us to tell us about your project. If you're sending us an email or leaving a voicemail, please include all of your contact details including your name, address, phone number, and a description of your chimney project. We will get back to you as soon as we possibly can (in less than 48 hours) and guide you through the next steps. Depending on the information provided, we will either conduct a site-visit or ask you to send us some photos and measurements to provide you with an online-quote.
What sort of pictures should I take of my chimney for you?
Take photos of the chimney from every angle you can and photos of the sides of your house as well, so that we can better understand the scaffolding requirements and what issues are present with your chimney.
What kind of measurements do you need from me?
If the chimney is made of brick and is resting alongside your home, we can work off of your photos alone. However, if the chimney is built out of stone or is located in the middle of your home and is concealed in anyway, please measure the distance from the ground up to the roofline.
How long will it take to receive a quote and get the chimney work started?
Once we have all of the details we need, we will provide you with a quote within 48 hours, unless there are unique circumstances surrounding the project, such as designing and rebuilding a new chimney with unique materials.
After the scope of work and quote has been agreed on, we will schedule your project in and get started as soon as our schedule will allow (usually within a few weeks).