KL Sweep - Masonry Services

Michigan Weather Is Tough on Brick

Michigan weather does not play nice with masonry. Between freeze thaw cycles, heavy rain, snow load, and temperature swings, your chimney takes a beating year round.

Water seeps into small cracks in brick and mortar. When temperatures drop, that moisture freezes and expands. Over time, this causes: Cracked mortar joints Spalling brick faces Leaning or unstable chimneys Crown deterioration Interior water damage. What starts as a hairline crack can quickly turn into structural damage. That is why routine inspection and maintenance matter.

Tuckpointing removes deteriorated mortar and replaces it with new mortar to restore strength and stop water intrusion. When joints break down, moisture can enter the chimney structure—repointing improves durability, appearance, and service life.

Signs you may need tuckpointing:

Crumbling mortar • Gaps between bricks • Loose brick sections • Water leaks inside the home.

Proper tuckpointing can add decades to a brick structure or chimney’s life.

Chimney Crown Repair & Replacement

The crown is the concrete top of your chimney. It protects the brick structure below from water intrusion. We repair minor cracks and perform full crown rebuilds when necessary using proper expansion joints and water-resistant materials.

A chimney cap keeps out:

Rain • Snow • Animals • Leaves and debris

Without a cap, water enters the flue system and accelerates deterioration.

We install stainless steel and custom sized chimney caps for long term protection.

Chimney Rebuilds

When brick damage becomes structural, partial or full rebuilds may be required.

We rebuild: Chimney stacks • Firebox walls • Chimney shoulders • Full tear down and rebuild projects

Masonry Repairs for Porches & Brick Structures

We also repair:

Brick porches • Steps • Retaining walls • Decorative brickwork

Water damage and freeze thaw cycles affect all exterior masonry, not just chimneys. All rebuilds are done to current code standards with durable materials suited for Michigan weather.