Chimney Repair

Wilkens Masonry Is Now In Burlington!

June 26, 2024

Restoring Masonry and Brick in Burlington Toronto has long been the bread basket for most trades in Southern Ontario. This is of course due to the population size as well as the plethora of old homes that have been victim to the harsh Canadian winters for so long, leading to massive amounts of deterioration to the masonry and brick. In 1977, when Wilkens Masonry first started, the suburban zones of Mississauga, Oakville and Burlington were much less populated and the homes were newer. This means that most companies wouldn’t have been able to establish themselves exclusively in these towns. Many homes in Burlington are now entering the stage of needing some upkeep as well as some larger restorative projects. What Do Homes In Burlington Need? Most of the time, the work we are performing in Burlington is isolated to basic brick replacement and repointing in the areas where the exterior walls are close to grade and find themselves exposed to salt, snow and rain. Also, many chimneys have seen 40-50 years of ice and snow and are now in need of repointing and, in many cases, a full rebuild. Deterioration generally happens over a long period of time, but reaches a point where it can exponentially increase. Fifty years of slight erosion on some brick surfaces can expose more surface area to ice and jump into a problem over a single winter. Wilkens Masonry Is Now In Burlington! Wilkens has been offering it’s masonry restoration services to Toronto for 47 years, Hamilton for 5 years, and is now available for free estimates in Burlington. People are always looking for honest, reliable and talented tradesmen to take care of their beautiful homes. Wilkens would like an opportunity to meet with you and offer our educated advice for all projects. Our motto

How Much Does It Cost To Rebuild A Chimney

June 24, 2024

How Much Does It Cost To Rebuild A Chimney? This is one of the most searched questions when it comes to masonry restoration and repair. Chimneys are used to vent harmful gases from your furnace or water heater, or the smoke from your wood burning fire, up and away from your house. Because of their height and lack of protection from our harsh Canadian winters, chimneys are often the first part of the home that will have deterioration and a need for repair or replacement. Since they are hard to access, repairing or rebuilding them can be more expensive than some may expect, ranging usually from $2500 at a minimum. Generally, a per brick price is calculated with an added on cost for complicated access and specialty scaffolding construction. Will My Chimney Fall Over? This is another question that we get asked all the time. The answer is hard to guarantee and it’s thankfully something we have not witnessed many times in our long running service of the Toronto, Hamilton and surrounding areas. Chimneys are built with the design of having more than one point of support. If one brick is taken out of a chimney, the whole thing will not just topple over. This means that a little bit of degradation is not the end of the world. However, bricks can have a little bit of wear and tear at first and then be in dire straits quite quickly, so addressing the problem early, and having your chimney rebuilt, may save quite a bit of annoyance in the future. How Long Does It Take To Rebuild A Chimney? A chimney rebuild can take anywhere from one day to a week for a chimney on the average home in Toronto, Hamilton, Burlington, Oakville and Mississauga. It usually takes about half

Get Your Masonry Work Done Before Winter!

September 12, 2023

Get Your Masonry Work Done Before Winter! When the weather get’s too cold, masonry restoration and repair work such as brick replacement, tuckpointing and repointing, parging and chimney repair get’s difficult to do. Unless you create an artificially heated environment, the work has to wait until there is a steadily warm forecast that allows for the mortar used in masonry restoration to properly dry and cure. If the water in masonry freezes, it interrupts the chemical process that allows it to harden. Winter Weather If you leave a repair too long, it can continue to deteriorate at an increased rate. It may take decades to get to a certain, manageable point and then only a matter of years to get to dire straits. When water get’s in to a partially deteriorated mortar joint, it can exponentially increase deterioration and even get behind the faces of bricks when it freezes and expands. Chimneys in particular are exposed to the worst of winter weather as they have little to no natural protection or protection from the rest of the house. Autumn Rush Most masonry companies have a huge influx of calls and requests for work in the weeks leading up to Christmas, and Wilkens Masonry is no exception. We are proud of being a company that people rely on, and we do our best to get to everyone before the season is over and the weather gets to be too cold. Still, it is better to call soon and line us up so that there is no question we can perform your brick and masonry restoration work. Get in Touch! Give us a call or request an estimate at our website. You can also check us out on Google and Homestars to peruse our glowing reviews from our many satisfied customers.

Why Your Chimney Should Be Domed

September 10, 2019

What Is A Chimney Dome? A chimney dome is a relatively easy and generally inexpensive way to ensure proper water runoff on the top of your chimney. It is comprised of masonry cement and an adhesive admixture (glue) that increases the bond between the dome and the chimney top or crown. Why Dome Your Chimney? By adding a slope of masonry cement around your flue tile and chimney liner, you prevent water from sitting on the crown. In the late fall and early spring months, when water freezes at night and thaws in the day time, water stuck on top of your chimney can cause erosion and even form cracks. Also, the added cement secures the individual parts of the crown. How Often Do You Need To Dome Your Chimney? There is no set duration that a dome will last. It all depends on the individual chimney’s exposure to weather, as well as the health of the rest of the chimney. Chimney’s should be inspected every so often in order to get ahead of any further damage that may be caused by improper water runoff. Why You Should Hire A Mason To Dome Your Chimney Repairing the crown of your chimney can be a relatively quick job, but should be handled by someone properly trained in working at heights. Many chimneys can be difficult to access and require scaffold, taller than average ladders and proper harnesses to be worked on. Beyond that, you want an expert who knows the proper repair techniques for each specific job, each individual chimney requires it’s own custom dome. How Do I Know If My Chimney Needs To Be Domed? While most home owners have no easy access to the tops of their chimneys, you may be able to tell from the ground if your

Why should I check my chimney in Toronto?

July 10, 2019

Why should I check my chimney in Toronto? Your chimney provides protection against fire hazards, and the firebox has the same function. With regular chimney inspections and proper maintenance, you are helping to prevent a dangerous fire and avoiding repairs much more expensive than the cost of preventative measures. For chimney restorations, upgrades, and inspections, call Wilkens Contracting today! If you have been asking why you should get your chimney checked in your home in Toronto, then this article is for you! Keeps your home and family safe There is nothing more important than keeping your home and family safe while enjoying the fireplace or wood stove in the cooler months. Your chimney is an important ventilation system that allows smoke, toxins and dangerous fumes to escape the home. A clean chimney means a safer, more efficient fireplace and home heating appliance. More efficient home heating Also, your fireplace efficiency decreases when additional creosote is deposited in the chimney. The additional circulation of cooler air reduces energy efficiency requiring you to burn more wood and other fossil fuels, more often to stay warm. Also, small birds, rodents and insects can clog the flue preventing the escape of toxic fumes. And since the toxic fumes have difficulty escaping a clogged chimney, the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning, AKA the silent killer also increases. Prevent unforeseen chimney repairs A wood-burning fireplace can reach temperatures of 1100°F or more. This creates ash, bits of wood, soot and other particles that are by-products of the combustion process that can cover the flue liner, smoke shelf, damper and masonry with dirt, grime and contaminants. Professional chimney cleaning helps to reduce wear and tear on these components so you can prevent costly chimney repairs from having to replace them prematurely. So, why should you have the

New Chimneys In Toronto

May 3, 2019

New Chimneys In Toronto The use of chimneys dates back to the 11th and 12th century Europe, and since then, have become a staple to any home with a fireplace. They play an essential role in releasing smoke and toxins into the air, instead of the house, and help to keep the fireplace functioning correctly. If you have been using your fireplace extensively this past winter, and are looking to repair, build new chimneys for your Toronto home, then we here at Wilkens Contracting can help. To learn more about our chimney services, please continue to read through this article before giving us a call today! Canadian Climate With the harsh Canadian winters behind us for another year, now is the time to check the state of your chimney and enlist the help of professionals to ensure its integrity. As chimneys are open to environmental damage 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year, making sure your chimney is structurally sound, and in a good enough state to use, is essential to the safety of your home. If your chimney is in poor condition, and you fear for the protection of your home, then we can help repair or build you a new one! Safety First When it comes to cleaning and maintaining, or repairing and rebuilding chimneys, safety should be the primary concern of all involved. Producing a pleasing aesthetic is an integral part of what we do, but when it comes to the safety and proper functioning of a chimney, this is always first and foremost in our minds. Poorly maintained chimneys that are used can lead to fires that burn up to 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit. An estimated 25,000 chimney fires happened in America in one year, resulting in an accumulated $120 million in damage. Therefore, making

Quality Chimney Repair in My Area

December 23, 2018

Quality Chimney Repair In My Area With the onset of winter, Toronto homes are turning to their fireplaces and heating systems to stay warm this season. Have you noticed the state of your chimney leaves something to be desired? Are you unable to use it this winter as it has fallen into disrepair? Wilkens Contracting offers quality chimney repair to the Toronto area, and beyond, to help those who need to keep warm this winter! Continue to read through this article to learn how our masonry company can help you this season. Expert Knowledge Wilkens Contracting has been servicing Toronto since our establishment in 1977. We are a fully licensed and insured family based company that aims to treat every client as if they were part of the family! All work is performed by our own team, thoroughly trained and wholly qualified to take on any masonry job you may need help completing. When you hire our company, for all of your masonry needs, you will obtain friendly and professional help, that will be able to extend the life of your chimney for many more decades to come. Whatever you may need; tuck pointing, replacing flue tiles, re-cementing chimney crowns, brick restoration, and more, our expert team has you covered. Don’t just take our word for it, check out our testimonials to hear from our previously satisfied clients. No Pressure Unfortunately, chimney repair fraud is a very real thing. It is essential to understand this before contracting someone or some company to do the work for you. Some will attempt to frighten you into hiring them, using terms like carbon monoxide poisoning or house fires to pressure you into making a quick decision. If you feel as if you are being pushed or harassed into making a decision, then make

New Chimney in Toronto

November 3, 2018

New Chimney in Toronto with Wilkens Contracting Chimneys serve multiple functions within a structure- they provide a passageway for the smoke to escape, assist with the buildings heating process, add aesthetic to the structure as a whole and have been an asset to our homes for centuries. If you are in need of a new chimney in the Toronto area, look to us here at Wilkens Contracting to receive the best care on the market! Causes of Deterioration Toronto chimneys fall into disrepair due to two main reasons: the elements and the exhaust of the heating system. With Canadian winter coming on quickly, you should look to the integrity of your chimney now more than ever. The wear and tear from our weather, combined with the required heating to ward off such weather, Toronto chimneys see a lot of use during the colder seasons. When the warm exhaust of the furnace or boiler coincides with the cold air from outside, condensation collects along the exposed chimney and the base of the roof. This ongoing moisture deteriorates the brick causing crumbling or spalling of the material. If left too long, the stack can begin to rot, making it essential to repair or rebuild to continue to serve its purpose adequately. Chimneys mainly need repair on the outside of the home, atop the roof, as that is where they are vulnerable to the elements. Wilkens Contracting understands this type of elemental damage in the Toronto area and can provide you with a new chimney that can withstand the region’s harsh weather. Corbel Conundrum Many people hold to the belief that the design of the top part of your chimney is to blame for the deterioration of the entity as a whole. That older designs of chimneys cannot withstand modern heating and should

Chimney Repairs at Wilkens Contracting

October 4, 2018

Chimney Repairs at Wilkens Contracting As the autumn months give way to winter, our chimneys and fireplaces will begin to see extra use. Don’t be caught out by your broken chimney this season, enlist the help of Wilkens Contracting for all of your chimney repairs and rebuilds before its too late! Read on to learn how Wilkens Contracting can help you and your chimney this winter! Repairs Keeping the masonry of your chimney in good repair is vital to the overall integrity of your structure. A chimney should be able to last fifty years or more when it is correctly maintained. This includes regular cleaning of the fireplace flues and checkups of the chimney masonry. If you notice that your chimney is spalling, breaking apart and crumbling, or the mortar is cracking, then contact Wilkens Contracting to get your chimney repairs underway. We can repair crumbling brick, disintegrating mortar joints, rusted dampers (located in the throat of the chimney), and more! Rebuilds Sometimes the chimney is too far gone for repairs and is not structurally sound enough to be considered safe. If your chimney is leaning to the side, or showing signs of significant brick deterioration, with large gaps of mortar missing, then a rebuild is in your best interest. Our masons have access to an extensive collection of old and antique bricks so Wilkens Contracting will do our best to match our materials to the ones of your home. We also colour match the mortar so your repairs and rebuilds will blend in with the rest of your home, making an aesthetically pleasing alteration. Elemental Exposure Having worked in Canada for the whole of our existence, since our establishment in 1977, we understand the volatile weather conditions of this beautiful country. Chimneys are freestanding structures that are completely exposed

Chimney Repair Toronto

July 17, 2018

Chimney Repair Toronto If you need a chimney repair in Toronto, call Wilkens Contracting Inc. Our team is made up of well experienced masons who can efficiently and safely handle the repair of your chimney. A well maintained chimney will last for years, but one that is crumbling or is otherwise unsafe puts you at risk of fires and other property damage. If the chimney needs pointing or other repairs we can get that done and extend the life of the existing structure. In this article by Wilkens Contracting Inc. we will talk about what some of the signs are that indicate that you need chimney repair on your home in Toronto. Read on for more information. *Before* What are the signs that your chimney needs repairs? The first step in getting your chimney back in shape is being able to detect when there is a problem. Here are a few things to look out for: Crumbling Brick or Mortar Joints: If the mortar that joins the bricks together or the bricks themselves are starting to crumble, it’s time to give us a call. Brick has a long lifespan, but still needs some repairs now and then. Rusted damper: The damper is the mechanism that allows you to open and close the chimney above the fireplace If it starts to rust it is probably as simple as your chimney needing to be re-crowned or it may lack a chimney cap. Full chimney replacement: If you have an older house, the chimney may be too far gone to be repaired and thus may need to be re-built. This will be apparent if your chimney is leaning or showing signs of major brick deterioration and/or large voids between the bricks. another symptom is that the chimney is leaning or the sides of

Get In Touch For Your Free Estimate!

At Wilkens masonry, our estimates are always free. We serve the Toronto, Hamilton, Burlington, Oakville and Mississauga areas. We will come by and give you an honest assessment coupled with a fair price for the services we deliver. Also, if the scope of work is something we don’t cover, we can always point you in the right direction of a company that can service your needs.

Check us out on Homestars and Google! You can also Contact us now for a free, no-obligation consultation or call us at 416 425 8055.

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