Q:We searched for ways to brace our chimney and were referred to a chimney builder by an earthquake retrofitting company. I don't recall the specifics but the job involved steel rods inside all four ...

Three years ago I had to replace half my chimney at a cost of thousands of dollars because of crumbling mortar and cracked bricks. The mason who finished the job told me I needed to have the chimney ...

Our house has a family room that is primarily walled by double-pane windows. It also has an old-fashioned, open-hearth brick fireplace that goes floor to ceiling. The brickwork extends to the outside ...

Q. This week: The brick chimney on our 1930's era house looks like it needs repair. From the ground I can see cracks in the bricks, and some of the cement and pieces of the bricks have come off and ...

Dear James: I added a family room with a fireplace to my home last year. The solid brick chimney has developed several long cracks through the bricks and the mortar. Is this something I should be ...