Many South Bay chimneys are unreinforced brick sitting on a fault line. Add winter storms, Spare the Air no-burn days and wildfire season, and a chimney needs more care here than almost anywhere. Call our Monterey Road shop and we'll come take a look.
Choose a South Bay situation
Mid-century ranch homes, Willow Glen bungalows and newer hillside houses all bring different chimneys. We work on brick, block, stone and factory-built fireplaces.
Cracked · leaning · looseShaking cracks mortar joints and loosens the top of brick chimneys. We assess the damage and repair, reinforce or rebuild.
Burn on any dayTired of no-burn days? A gas insert or log set gives you a fire at the flip of a switch. We prepare the firebox and flue for the switch.
Wood burnersIf you still burn wood on allowed days, soot and creosote build up. Flue walls, the smoke shelf and the hearth all get cleaned, with no mess left behind.
Winter storm leaksLong dry summers shrink sealants, then heavy winter storms find every gap. We reseal flashing, crowns and brick.
Wildfire seasonA mesh spark arrestor keeps embers from landing on your roof or dry brush, and keeps animals and rain out of the flue.
Buying or sellingA complete check of the fireplace and chimney, hearth to crown. Common before a home sale, after an earthquake or before a conversion.
Older brick chimneys were often built without steel reinforcement. In a strong quake, the part above the roof is the most likely to crack or fall.
On winter Spare the Air alerts, burning wood is banned across the Bay Area. Gas fireplaces aren't covered by the ban, which is why many people convert.
Months of sun dry out sealants and crowns. Then a string of winter storms tests every joint at once.
Homes near the Santa Cruz Mountains and the east foothills need a spark arrestor and a clean flue more than most.
After an inspection, we'll recommend one of these based on how bad the damage is, how you use the fireplace and your budget. We'll show you photos and explain the trade-offs.
For minor cracks: loose bricks reset, joints repointed and the crown resealed.
The damaged section above the roof is taken down and relaid with steel reinforcement.
Heavy masonry above the roof is replaced with a framed chase and metal flue, much lighter in a quake.
If you no longer use the fireplace, the chimney can be removed below the roofline and the roof patched.
With this much outdoor living weather, a lot of our work happens in the backyard. We build and repair brick, block and stone, inside and out.
Brick and stone fireplaces, fire pits and outdoor kitchen counters built to last.
Refacing fireplaces, chimneys and front walls with new brick or natural stone.
Block, brick and stone walls for sloped lots in Almaden, Evergreen and the foothills.
Entry pillars, mailbox columns, and fresh mortar joints for tired brick.
We're just south of downtown, close to 101, 280 and 87, so we reach every San Jose neighborhood and the West Valley towns quickly. Pick an area.
Usual drive times from 1840 Monterey Rd outside commute hours. We confirm your appointment window by phone.
Many older Bay Area chimneys are unreinforced masonry, and past quakes such as Loma Prieta damaged thousands of them. The section above the roofline is the most vulnerable. An inspection tells you its condition and whether repair, reinforcement or replacement makes sense.
During winter Spare the Air alerts, the Bay Area Air Quality Management District bans burning wood and manufactured fire logs. Gas-fueled fireplaces and inserts aren't covered by the ban, so many homeowners convert to gas so they can still have a fire.
Standard homeowners policies usually exclude earthquake damage, which typically requires a separate earthquake policy. Check with your insurer. Either way, we document the damage with photos to support your claim.
In most cases, yes. Options include a gas log set in the existing firebox or a sealed gas insert, which is more efficient. The chimney is inspected first, and many installations need a new liner sized for gas.
Spark arrestors are required in many California fire hazard areas and are a smart idea anywhere you burn wood. The screen stops embers from escaping onto the roof or nearby vegetation.
Fire safety guidelines recommend an inspection once a year, plus after any significant earthquake or before switching fuels. Wood burners usually need cleaning about once a season.
Monday through Saturday, 7 AM to 7 PM. Closed Sundays.
All of San Jose, the West Valley and nearby Santa Clara County cities.
San Jose Masonry & Chimney inspects, repairs and rebuilds chimneys and masonry across the South Bay. One call sets it up.
(669) 220-1871 Call the San Jose shop| Monday | 7 AM – 7 PM |
| Tuesday | 7 AM – 7 PM |
| Wednesday | 7 AM – 7 PM |
| Thursday | 7 AM – 7 PM |
| Friday | 7 AM – 7 PM |
| Saturday | 7 AM – 7 PM |
| Sunday | Closed |