Custom
Masonry and Fireplace Design is
a San Diego masonry company
experienced in building and repairing chimneys in a variety of masonry materials.
We can restore your chimney in many architectural styles using brick,
stone, Cultured stone, Eldorado stone, plaster and stucco finishes and
veneers.
 |
San Diego Chimney
Repair and Construction
Masonry Chimney -
Adding beauty and value to your San Diego home
| Building
a Chimney - by
Paul
Walker |
 |
Since
1992, I've been a San Diego masonry contractor involved in chimney
design, construction, restoration, renovation and repair.
Between my masonry experience in London, England and here in San Diego,
California, I've repaired and built hundreds of old and new chimneys.
Chimney construction is an exacting process requiring strict design
elements combined with stringent building code considerations.
Every chimney project is a professional challenge and the finished
chimney in my mind is a work of art.
 |
<
Custom
Masonry and Fireplace Design
will do a complete inspection of
your existing chimney.
Based on the results of our inspection we will give you a detailed
description of the chimney repair and a competitive bid.
If your chimney is beyond repair we can construct a new chimney, built
to California code and earthquake standards, in a variety of
architectural styles and masonry materials.
We are a chimney builder and chimney restoration company serving San
Diego county.
|
 |
| Chimney
deterioration - fire danger and structural collapse |
Chimneys
that show evidence of creosote damage, mortar deterioration, and cracks
between bricks, are a fire danger.
If the damage is not too severe a new chimney flue liner can be
installed, loose mortar repaired, flashing redone, and chimney crown
refitted.
As illustrated in the photo on the right, demolition of our project
chimney was necessary because of severe deterioration.
The following photos below describe the basics of chimney construction
and repair. Enjoy!
-
Paul
Walker |
 |
| Construction
Process - laying the chimney foundation |
 |
In
California all chimneys require a building permit. They must be built
according to stringent building and earthquake codes, and pass
inspection.
The foundation or footing must be substantial enough to support the
weight of a chimney and fireplace. Steel rebar increases the structural
integrety of the foundation. |
| California
building code requires that footings for masonry fireplaces
and their chimneys shall be constructed of concrete or solid masonry at
least 12 inches thick and shall extend at least 6 inches beyond the
face of the fireplace or foundation wall on all sides. Footings shall
be founded on natural undisturbed earth or engineered fill below frost
depth. In areas not subjected to freezing, footings shall be at least
12 inches below finished grade. |
| Chimney
block with
steel rebar - Building a safe chimney |
The
California building code requires us to build your chimney using
fireproof masonry materials and steel.
The chimney is anchored to the footing with the steel rebar embeded in
concrete. We then build the chimney upward block by block, row by row,
using more pencil rebar in the process.
All chimneys at minimum must have existing vertical #4 rebar,
¼” stirrups installed, rebar cells fully grouted,
a chimney flue liner installed and be properly grouted. |
 |
| Anchoring
the
chimney to your home - more safety |
 |
To
further protect your chimney from shifting, leaning away from your
home, or collapsing in a strong wind or earthquake, building code
requires steel straps and stirups be attached to the steel rebar within
the chimney.
|
| Straps
and stirups should be corrosion resistant and must be installed
according to code regarding their size, thickness, and location. They
must be also be bolted to your house. |
 |
| About
Earthquake
standards in California - Seismic reinforcing |
Does
your chimney comply with current California earthquake building codes?
Did you know that reconstruction or replacement of a damaged masonry
chimney is not allowed with masonry unless completely removed,
redesigned and constructed to current code requirements?
Although seismic activity in San Diego is low, an old chimney, not
built according to current earthquake standards, may have sustained
seismic damage over many years.
Inspect your chimney at least once a year and/or after a »seismic
event |
 |
| Chimney
Flue
Installation |
The
space inside a chimney is called a flue.
It starts at the top
of the firebox and allows smoke to vent up and out of your chimney.
Design and construction of a chimeny flue is the same for a chimney
repair or a new construction chimney.
If the chimney had flues that are cracked we generally have to take the
chimney down to the point where the last flue is cracked , replace the
damaged flues and rebuild the chimney. |
As
we
build the chimney through the roof, fire safety code requires that we
leave at least two inches between the potentially combustible wood
framed chimney opening. The space between the framed opening is later
sealed with "aluminum flashing" to prevent water intrusion between the
chimney and internal home wall spaces.
Next, we'll talk about the importance of chimney height above the roof. |
| Chimney
height
above the roof |
If
the
chimney is not tall enough, inadequate draw of fireplace gas up through
the flue can cause major safety problems for the home's occupants.
We use the Chimney 2-3-10 Rule to determine proper chimney height.
We
extend the chimney to
provide a minimum of 2 feet clearance to all roof surfaces and
structures within 10 feet of the chimney and 3 feet above the highest
point that the chimney penetrates the roof |
| Chimney
Crown and Chimney Cap |
The
chimney crown, is the top
element of a masonry chimney. It
covers and seals the top of the chimney from the flue liners to the
chimney edge.
It is usually constructed of a portland cement based mixture and formed
so it provides an overhang, or drip edge, on all sides of the chimney.
This drip edge directs the runoff from the crown away from the sides of
the chimney, helping prevent erosion of the brick and mortar in the
chimney's vertical surfaces. |
 |
| A
chimney cap helps to prevent
rain water from entering the
inside of your chimney. Newer chimney caps with flashing are
multi-functional and do a great job in preventing water from entering
your chimney and fireplace, come with spark arresters, and deter
animals and debris. |
| Brick
Chimney - finished chimney repair project in San Diego |
 |
Custom
Masonry and Fireplace Design
San
Diego's #1
Chimney and Fireplace Builder.
"We
take pride in our work and
guarantee quality craftsmanship on every chimney that we build"
....Paul Walker |
|
|
San Diego Chimney
Relining and Chimney Cap Replacement
Chimney Relining
is the
most affordable way to repair a chimney that has been damaged due to
fire and long-term masonry deterioration. A variety of chimney relining
options are available including cast-in-place, stainless steel,
aluminum, and flue tiles.
|
Chimney
Cap Replacement is
well worth the investment. A well designed chimney cap will help
protect damage to your chimney by keeping water, debris and animals out of your chimney.
It will also keep sparks from leaving
your chimney, and help prevent downdrafts. |
San Diego Chimney
Repair Construction Materials
Clay
Brick
»more photos |
|
When you're building a fireplace or chimney for your home, there's
simply no substitute for genuine, clay brick.
»Why
choose brick?Why
Brick is naturally beautiful. It
has warmth and human scale. Put into place by hand, one by one, only brick gives
that touch of craftsmanship, authenticity, and timeless elegance you want for
your home. Brick comes in a wide range of colors, tones, and textures-from the
soft, historic look of a classic handmade, to the clean, precise lines of a
wire-cut. And when you consider all the different colored mortars that are
available, your design possibilities become practically endless.
|
Eldorado
Stone
»more photos |
|
Custom
Masonry and Fireplace Design
uses Eldorado
Stone
to customize and embelish the look of your fireplace or chimney.
For over 30 years Eldorado Stone has been refining the art of creating
architectural stone veneer that's exceptionally beautiful, affordable
and above all, believable. To achieve this, Eldorado Stone is cast from
its own technically advanced molds made from thousands of hand-selected
natural stones selected by their artisans.
|
Stucco
»more photos |
|
In
San Diego, stucco is a popular and practical
finish on fireplaces and chimneys for many architectural home styles.
Stucco is used as a building material in historic architectural styles,
including Prairie; Art Deco, and Art Moderne; Spanish Colonial,
Mission, Pueblo, Mediterranean, English Cotswold Cottage, Tudor Revival
and Spanish Colonial Revival. Stucco is also a choice building material
used in San Diego new home construction developments for Spanish and
Mediterranean style homes.
With so many homes built with stucco, repair is inevitable. Custom
Masonry and Fireplace Design are experts in repairing your stucco
fireplace or chimeny in San Diego county.
|
Company
CUSTOM
MASONRY AND FIREPLACE DESIGN
San Diego
Masonry Contractor: Paul Walker
Trained in England, he has 24 years of experience in masonry
construction.
The first five years were in and around London, where he served working
with tradesmen who passed down their skills and knowledge acquired from
previous generations.
Paul has been building fireplaces in San Diego since 1992 and is a
recognized expert in fireplace refacing, fireplace repair, and relining
chimneys
to prevent fire hazards.
He is trained in all areas of masonry construction focusing mainly on
the comprehensive aspects of fireplace
and chimney construction, including outdoor
cooking ovens and barbeques using real stone stonework, True stone, Rox
Pro rock, Eldorado and Cultured stone.
|
Guarantee
"We
take pride in our work and guarantee quality craftsmanship."
- Paul Walker
|
Services
- New
construction masonry fireplaces
- Chimney
inspections
- Acquire
permits from city
- Reline
existing chimneys
- Reface
with brick, tile, veneer
stone, precast mantles
- Repair
existing chimneys, crowns
- New
dampers, Spark arresters, Heat
shields
- Custom
Masonry Barbeques
- Expert
Masonry brickwork,
wainscots, piers
- Eldorado
and cultured stone
specialist Truestone,Rox Pro rock
- >Masonry
cooking ovens
(Pizza Ovens)
Call us
today! 619-287-6464
|
|
Licensed
C29
Masonry Contractor # 851233 |
Liability
Insurance $2 million/$1 million per occurance |
|
Member Golden
State Chimney Sweep Guild California
licensed C29 masonry contractor # 851233
Liability Insurance $2 million/$1 million
per occurance
 |
|
