Chimney Rebuild for Larkspur Homes

Historic design review and chimney rebuild in Larkspur

The City of Larkspur states that any project, including repairs, affecting the exterior of a structure listed in Larkspur's Historic Resources Inventory may be subject to design review to protect its historic character. (Source: City of Larkspur, Historic Structures Standards To Be Applied For Design Review.)

Who it applies to

This applies to owners of homes and other structures listed in the Historic Resources Inventory. A chimney is part of a building's exterior, and a rebuild changes it more than most chimney work does, because the masonry comes down and goes back up. The City's wording is may be subject to design review, so a listing doesn't automatically mean review. You should still find out before any work is scheduled.

What it changes about the rebuild

Mostly, it changes the order of the work. On a listed structure, confirm with the City whether review applies before the old masonry is taken down, not after. The review exists to protect historic character, so it helps to know exactly what the chimney looks like today. That means its height, shape, brick, mortar color and any decorative courses. With that record, a rebuild plan can describe how the new chimney will look.

Chimney rebuild in brief

A chimney rebuild takes down damaged masonry, usually above the roofline and sometimes further down to sound brick. The chimney is then laid back up with new brick and mortar and finished with a new crown. A rebuild suits a masonry chimney that leans, has loose or shifting brick, or has deteriorated past the point where patching and repointing will hold. It's also a sensible time to deal with the cap, flashing and flue liner. The full scope and process are explained in how chimney rebuild works.

Rebuild or a smaller fix?

It depends on whether the chimney's structure has failed or only its surface. Cracked mortar joints, a few spalled bricks or a broken crown are usually repair work. A rebuild fits when the structure itself has given way. Leaning chimney repair, for example, often turns into a partial or full rebuild. Our guide to chimney repair vs rebuild walks through the signs in more detail.

• Leaning, or pulling away from the house: usually a rebuild, at least down to where the masonry is sound.
• Loose, shifting or crumbling brick across much of the stack: usually a masonry chimney rebuild.
• Open mortar joints, isolated damaged bricks or a cracked crown: usually repair rather than rebuild.
• Water getting in at the top while the masonry is otherwise sound: often a cap, crown or flashing problem. For the cap side of it, read about chimney cap installation in Larkspur.
• Not sure which applies: a chimney inspection can settle it before anything is demolished.

Planning your rebuild

For the details of the job itself, including what's removed, what's rebuilt and how the top is finished, read about our chimney rebuild service. For inspections, cleaning, repairs and the other work we do for homes in the area, start at Larkspur.