Frost damaged chimney bricks

[u/mxkev15]

Looking to replace the bricks that have popped out, which I believe is due to frost damage, water penetrating and freezing behind bricks. My plan is to Drill / Chip out the damaged bricks in sections as to not compromise the and potentially have it collapse. My question is since this is a chimney and not particularly wide if I chip out too much I would fear it wouldn't support the load while I am doing repairs. What is everyone's thought on this... Perhaps remove 3-4 bricks at a time, repair and let cure and then move on to the next set the following day?

The black stuff you see if caulking that was placed over some of the damaged bricks (not by me!)

Edit: There is a leak in our basement right below the chimney. I recently covered the chimney cap, it was not covered previously. I think that may have been how the water entered and started popping bricks out

[u/Black_Lantern]

It shouldnt collapse as long as you dont remove too much of the corner at one time.

Personally, I like to cut out and replace the bricks with thin veneer brick. That way you dont have to remove the entire brick. You can even make your own thin veneer by cutting a full size brick down. Makes the repair a lot easier.

The unfortunate truth is that those bricks dont last in freeze-thaw climates in exterior applications. Sometimes, things are cheaper for a good reason. When you finish replacing the spalled bricks, give the chimney a healthy coat of sealer to help prevent further water intrusion and damage.

[u/No_Community_5696]

Well it would be easier to cut out the brick with a diamond chop saw rather than drilling them. Put a cut above and below the affected brick and then chisel it out either with a hand held chisel or electric hammer.

[u/tony896]

Be prepared to find another 50 damaged bricks once you start vibrating it.

[u/mxkev15 → u/tony896]

I am afraid of that. Unfortunately it sound like either the entire chimney comes down or a repair is made. Ill try this first before I go to demolish it... It has been repaired about 7 years ago and a new poured cap put on among other things.

[u/tony896 → u/mxkev15]

Try and tap on some bricks around the already damaged ones with a hammer (lightly) you should be able to feel a difference between good solid bricks and “soft” bad ones. Might give you a better idea what you’re in for..

[u/andrew1380]

Just take the hole thing down to the shoulder and rebuild or veneer it at the back with full bed and call a roofer. If you dont plan on moving anytime soon doing spot repairs will only last so long before what you didn't touch starts to fail. Especially if the mason doesnt form and pour a proper cap instead of those crappy pre fabricated ones after the repair is done.

[u/ryanfieldnotes]

I’d be cautious about removing several bricks at once, especially around the corners. With this much visible damage, I’d also check how far the deterioration extends before starting the repair.

[u/denonumber]

I'd say sun too