Lexington Chimney Repair for Colonials and Capes: Crowns, Flashing and Repointing
Neto Painting & Masonry, based in Everett, MA.
- 8 years of masonry experience
- Based in Everett, MA
- Real photos of our own work
Or call (857) 335-0897
The short answer
Who does chimney repair work in Lexington, MA?
Chimney Repair for Lexington homes
A typical Lexington chimney is a brick stack on a postwar Colonial, Cape or ranch, built in the 1950s or 1960s and now 60 or more years old. At that age the original crown has usually cracked, the flashing has been patched with tar at least once, and the mortar joints near the top are opening up. These chimneys are often shorter than those on Victorian homes, but they still sit fully exposed to wind and freeze-thaw.
The older homes around the Battle Green, Hancock Street and East Lexington have a different kind of chimney: center or end chimneys on 18th and 19th century houses, sometimes with original soft brick and lime mortar. In the town's local historic districts, visible exterior changes may go through the Historic Districts Commission, so repair in kind matters even more.
Lexington's mid-century modern neighborhoods like Six Moon Hill and Five Fields add a third type: simple, low masonry chimneys on flat or low-pitched roofs, where flashing and water drainage around the base are the usual trouble spots. We look at what your house actually has and fix the real cause of the problem. Most of the time that means a new crown, new flashing or repointing the top courses, not tearing down a chimney that is still structurally sound.
What we see in Lexington
60-year-old crowns on postwar homes
Crowns on 1950s and 1960s chimneys were often thin mortar washes that crack over time. Replacing them with a properly formed crown with an overhang keeps water off the brick below.
Tar-patched flashing that keeps leaking
Roof cement over old flashing works for a season, then fails again. We replace it with step and counter flashing set into the mortar joints, which lasts much longer.
Low chimneys on flat or low-pitched roofs
On modern homes, water can sit around the base of a short chimney on a low-slope roof. Proper flashing and a crown that sheds water are the key repairs.
Neighborhoods we cover in Lexington: Lexington Center, East Lexington, Battle Green area, Six Moon Hill, Five Fields, Peacock Farm, Meriam Hill.
How we serve Lexington
Lexington is roughly 9 miles from our Everett base. Before quoting, we look at the crown, joints and flashing and explain which one is failing, so you are not paying for a rebuild when a new crown and flashing would do. For homes in a historic district, we plan matching materials from the start.
What we can do for your Lexington home
- Chimney Repair & RebuildRepointing, new crowns and caps, flashing repairs and rebuilds above the roofline.
- Brick & Granite StepsBrick, granite and bluestone steps repaired or rebuilt on a solid base, for Greater Boston homes.
- House PaintingInterior and exterior painting, so the door, railing and trim match the new work out front.
Chimney Repair questions from Lexington homeowners
A crown repair or replacement is usually one of the smaller chimney jobs, while full repointing or a rebuild costs more. Height and roof access also affect the price. We give a free on-site estimate with an exact number.
If your home is in one of Lexington's local historic districts, such as Battle Green, Hancock-Clarke, East Village or Munroe Tavern, visible exterior changes may need approval. Like-for-like repair is usually simpler. Check with the town before starting.
The most common causes are failed flashing, a cracked crown or open mortar joints. On many Lexington Colonials, old tar-patched flashing is the first suspect. We find the source during the estimate.
No. We do masonry repair: brick, mortar, crowns, flashing and rebuilds. For flue cleaning or a flue inspection, a chimney sweep is the right call, and we are happy to work alongside one.
Ready to get it fixed in Lexington?
Call or text (857) 335-0897 or request an estimate online.
Also serving