Chimney leaks and water infiltration
We trace the leak to the crown, flashing, or mortar joints and fix the source. New crown, new flashing, repointed joints, and a breathable sealer. We hose-test before we leave so you know it is dry.
Licensed fireplace masonry Milwaukie OR crews for repairs, rebuilds, and new builds
Masonry fireplace contractors near me Milwaukie OR for safe, code-correct fireplaces
If you need masonry fireplace contractors near me Milwaukie OR, RenovoBase handles the full job: chimney leaks, spalling brick, cracked fireboxes, and new outdoor builds. We have served Clackamas County since 2021, pulling permits and working to IBC and ASTM standards. Whether your fireplace is smoking into the room or the mortar joints are crumbling, we diagnose the cause and fix it right. Call (855) 947-9500 for a same-day estimate.
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About this service
What masonry fireplace contractors near me Milwaukie OR actually do
A masonry fireplace is a structural assembly, not a decorative box. masonry fireplace contractors near me Milwaukie OR work on the firebox, smoke chamber, damper, flue liner, crown, and the surrounding brick or stone veneer. We rebuild fireboxes with firebrick and refractory mortar, repoint joints with lime mortar that matches the original mix, and pour new crowns that shed water. We also set natural stone veneer, cast stone surrounds, and outdoor fireplaces on patios from Lake Road to Ardenwald.
Milwaukie's wet winters and clay soils are hard on masonry. Water gets into mortar joints, freezes, and pops the brick face off, a problem called spalling. We see it constantly in homes built between 1950 and 1985 around Hector Campbell and Island Station. If you search for fireplace masonry near me Milwaukie Oregon, you want a crew that understands freeze-thaw damage, not one that slaps on a coat of paint. We fix the water path first, then rebuild what failed.
- ✓ Code-correct construction
- ✓ Water damage stopped
- ✓ Matching materials
- ✓ Outdoor living built in
What's included
What our fireplace masonry service includes
Every fireplace project starts with a full inspection and a written scope. The inclusions below are standard on most jobs. If your project needs something outside this list, we tell you before we start and price it separately.
✓
Full chimney inspection
We inspect the firebox, damper, smoke chamber, flue, crown, flashing, and exterior brick. You get photos and a written report. This is where we catch water infiltration and efflorescence before they turn into structural problems.
✓
Firebox and smoke chamber rebuild
We remove failed firebrick and rebuild the firebox with new firebrick and refractory mortar. The smoke chamber gets parged smooth so smoke moves up the flue instead of into your room. Most rebuilds take 2 to 4 days.
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Mortar joint repointing
We grind out deteriorated mortar to 1/2 to 3/4 inch and repoint with a matching mix. For older Milwaukie homes, we use lime mortar instead of portland cement so the wall can breathe. This stops spalling brick and water infiltration.
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Crown and flashing repair
A cracked crown is the number one cause of chimney leaks. We pour a new crown with the correct slope and replace failed flashing. We hose-test the repair before we leave to confirm it sheds water.
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Masonry waterproofing
We apply a breathable siloxane sealer to the chimney and fireplace surround. It repels rain without trapping moisture inside the brick. Reapply every 5 to 7 years to keep the masonry protected.
How it works
Our fireplace masonry process, step by step
01
On-site inspection
We spend 45 to 60 minutes on site, inspecting the firebox, damper, flue, crown, and exterior brick. We take photos, check for efflorescence and water infiltration, and test the draft. You get a written scope and a fixed price the same day.
02
Permits and materials
If the job requires a permit, we pull it through Clackamas County. We order brick, stone, and mortar matched to your existing wall, then stage materials so we are not blocking your driveway for a week. Most material orders arrive in 3 to 5 business days.
03
Demolition and prep
We protect the floor and surrounding walls, then remove failed brick, spalled veneer, or a cracked firebox. We grind out old mortar joints to the correct depth, usually 1/2 to 3/4 inch, so new mortar can key in properly. Debris leaves the site the same day.
04
Rebuild and repoint
We lay new firebrick with refractory mortar, rebuild the smoke chamber, and repoint joints with a trowel and jointing tool. For veneer work, we set stone or brick with reinforcing steel and wall ties. A typical firebox rebuild takes 2 to 4 days.
05
Cure, test, and clean up
Mortar cures for 24 to 72 hours depending on humidity. We come back, run a draft test, check for smoke spillage, and hose-test the crown and flashing. Then we sweep the work area and walk you through the finished fireplace.
Tools & methods
Tools and methods we use
Purpose-built equipment, used by trained technicians — so the job is done accurately the first time.
Trowel and mason's level
For laying brick and stone to a true plane. A mason's level checks plumb and level on every course, which matters on chimney stacks that run 15 feet or higher.
Chisel and brick hammer
For cutting and trimming brick and stone to fit around dampers, flue tiles, and hearth edges. Clean cuts mean tight joints and a better-looking finish.
Mortar hoe and mixing tub
For mixing small batches of mortar on site. We mix to ASTM C270 proportions so the mortar strength matches the brick and does not crack the units.
Jointing tool
For finishing mortar joints to the correct profile. A concave joint sheds water better than a flush joint and is the standard for exterior chimney work in Milwaukie.
Angle grinder and wet saw
For cutting brick, stone, and flue tile with clean edges. The wet saw controls dust, which matters when we are working inside an occupied home.
Mason's line and brick tongs
For keeping long runs straight and carrying brick safely up ladders. A mason's line keeps the chimney courses aligned from the footing to the crown.
Real results
Before and after.
Smoking fireplace rebuilt in Hector Campbell
Before
A 1962 ranch fireplace smoked into the living room on every burn. The smoke chamber was rough and unparged, the damper was rusted open, and the flue liner was undersized for the firebox opening.
After
We rebuilt the firebox with new firebrick, parged the smoke chamber smooth, replaced the damper, and installed a stainless flue liner sized to the opening. Draft tested clean. The job took three days.
Chimney leak stopped in Island Station
Before
Water ran down the chimney every winter and stained the ceiling in the room below. The crown had a 1/4-inch crack, the flashing was lifted, and several mortar joints were washed out.
After
We poured a new crown with the correct slope, replaced the flashing, and repointed 40 feet of mortar joints. Hose-tested dry. No leaks through the following winter.
Outdoor fireplace built in North Clackamas
Before
A bare concrete patio with no outdoor living space. The homeowner wanted a masonry fireplace that matched the house and could handle Oregon rain.
After
We poured a footing below the frost line, built the firebox with firebrick and refractory mortar, and set a Techo-Bloc surround that matched the home's stone. The build took eight days. The fireplace has a 1-year workmanship warranty.
Problems we solve
Masonry fireplace problems we fix in Milwaukie
Most fireplace problems come down to water, heat, or movement. Here are the issues we see most often in Milwaukie and how we fix them.
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Spalling brick and mortar joint deterioration
We grind out failed mortar, repoint with lime mortar, and replace spalled brick with matching units from Mutual Materials or Glen-Gery. We also seal the wall with a breathable water repellent.
Cracked firebox and smoke spillage
We rebuild the firebox with firebrick and refractory mortar, parge the smoke chamber, and size the flue liner to the firebox opening. Draft test confirms smoke goes up, not into your living room.
Settling walls and veneer detachment
We install helical anchors and wall ties to reattach the veneer, then repoint and seal. If the footing is failing, we underpin it. We coordinate with a structural engineer on larger repairs.
Proof you can check
Licensed, insured, and warrantied
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Oregon CCB LicenseOregon Construction Contractors Board
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OSHA Safety CertificationOccupational Safety and Health Administration
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IBC ComplianceInternational Code Council
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ASTM Masonry StandardsASTM International
A full masonry fireplace build in Milwaukie runs $8,000 to $22,000 in 2026, depending on stone choice and chimney height. A firebox rebuild is $2,500 to $6,000. Repointing and crown repair start around $850. Outdoor fireplaces typically land between $4,500 and $12,000. We give you a fixed price after the on-site inspection, so there are no surprise change orders.
Look for an Oregon CCB licensed contractor with fireplace-specific experience, not a general handyman. Ask for photos of firebox rebuilds, confirmation they follow IBC chimney code, and a written warranty. RenovoBase has served Clackamas County since 2021 and carries a 1-year workmanship warranty. We are happy to provide references from Milwaukie homeowners before you hire us.
Yes. We build outdoor masonry fireplaces and fire pits across Milwaukie, from Island Station to Linwood. We pour footings below the frost line, use Techo-Bloc or Boral cast stone, and set the firebox with firebrick and refractory mortar. A typical outdoor build takes 5 to 10 days. We also run gas lines and build wood-burning units to local code.
Most repairs take 1 to 4 days. Repointing a chimney or replacing a crown is usually a one-day job. A firebox rebuild takes 2 to 4 days because the refractory mortar needs to cure. If we are replacing a flue liner, add another day. We schedule the work in one block so you are not waiting between visits.
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One call gets a licensed mason on your property, a written scope, and a fixed price. We carry Oregon CCB licensing, general liability, and a 1-year workmanship warranty. Call (855) 947-9500 now.
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Call (855) 947-9500 or email [email protected] and we will get back to you within one business day. For emergencies, the 24/7 line is always open. We schedule estimates Monday through Friday and can usually be on site the same day you call.
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