Chimney Repair in Allentown, NJ | Monarch Roofing & Construction

Allentown is a small borough of about 735 homes on just over half a square mile, and nearly the whole village is historic. The Allentown Historic District covers about 17 acres with 219 contributing buildings, from Georgian and Greek Revival houses to later Victorian homes. Georgian houses usually have simple gable or hipped roofs with chimneys at the ends, and those end chimneys are prominent and exposed. On houses this old, chimney repairs have to protect both the masonry and the look of the house.

Monarch Roofing & Construction repairs chimneys and the roofing around them. We repoint with mortar suited to old brick, replace damaged brick, rebuild crowns and stacks, install caps and replace flashing. Every project begins with a free chimney repair estimate.

Monarch Roofing & Construction — Serving Allentown, NJ

Main Headquarters: 168 Humboldt St, East Rutherford, NJ 07073

Regional Location Serving Allentown: 15 Sandpiper Dr, Manalapan, NJ 07726

Phone/Text: (551) 241-0470 · Email: monarchroofingnj@gmail.com

NJ HIC Registration: #13VH12036000

Free Chimney Repair Estimates Available.

Chimneys on Historic Village Houses

Georgian end chimneys

End chimneys rise along the gable walls of Georgian houses, exposed to weather on three sides and often visible from the street. Their upper courses take the most wind and rain, and the joint where the chimney meets the roof slope is a common leak point. Because they are part of the symmetry of the house, repairs should keep their proportions and match the existing brick.

Greek Revival houses

Greek Revival houses often present a gable to the street with a wide cornice. Protecting that cornice while ladders go up and old flashing comes off is part of planning any chimney repair.

Later 19th-century homes

Victorian-era houses may have steeper roofs, dormers and porches with shallow slopes. A chimney among those details needs its own flashing plan, and steep slopes require proper safety setup.

Professional Chimney Repair in Allentown

• Repointing with mortar suited to old brick
• Replacing spalled, cracked or loose brick
• Step, counter and apron flashing repair and replacement
• Crickets and back pans behind wide chimneys
• Crown repair and replacement
• Cap installation and replacement
• Partial and full rebuilds above the roofline
• Breathable water repellent after repairs
• Chimney and roof repairs after storms

Mortar for Old Brick

Brick on older houses is usually softer than modern brick, and the original mortar was usually softer still. That relationship matters. When new mortar is harder than the brick, moisture and movement are forced into the brick instead of the joints, and the edges of the bricks crack and spall. Repointing an old chimney with a softer, breathable mortar lets the joints take the wear and allows them to be repointed again in the future. We also match the color and joint profile of the existing mortar so the repair blends in.

Chimney Leaks and Flashing

Leaks near a chimney come from flashing, open mortar joints, porous brick, a cracked crown or an uncapped flue. We check each before recommending a repair.

Step flashing runs up the side of the chimney with the roofing. Counter flashing is cut into the mortar joints and laps over the steps. An apron seals the low side, and a cricket or back pan diverts water on the high side. On a historic house, flashing material is also a visual choice: copper or painted flashing can look more appropriate at a chimney than bright aluminum. We will show you options. Whatever you choose, failed flashing is replaced, not covered in tar.

Brick Repairs and Spalling

When mortar joints recess, water gets into the brick and freezes in winter, pushing off the face. Spalled bricks can be cut out and replaced with units matched as closely as possible in size, color and texture. Where only the face of a brick is damaged and the chimney is otherwise sound, replacing a few units is far less disruptive than a rebuild.

Chimney Rebuilding

When a chimney leans, has loose brick throughout the top section, or has cracks through many courses, repairs may not last. After evaluating the masonry, we may recommend a partial rebuild of the failed top courses or a full rebuild above the roofline. On a historic house, we discuss brick, mortar color and the chimney’s original shape before starting, and we finish with a new crown and flashing.

Chimney Crowns and Caps

The crown seals the top of the chimney and should shed water clear of the brick. Older crowns are often thin or cracked. We repair small cracks where a repair will hold and replace crowns that are broken or poorly shaped. A cap keeps rain, debris and animals out of the flue opening; we can discuss styles that suit an older house.

Breathable Waterproofing

After repairs, a breathable water repellent can reduce how much rain the brick absorbs while letting moisture escape, which is important on old brick. It does not close open joints, fix a crown or stop a flashing leak, so we use it only after those repairs and only where it suits the masonry.

Signs Your Chimney May Need Repair

• Stains on a ceiling or wall near the chimney, especially on a gable wall
• Recessed, sandy or missing mortar
• Flaking or broken brick
• Lifted, rusted or tar-covered flashing
• A cracked crown or missing cap
• Hard gray mortar patches that look different from the original
• A chimney that leans

Repair Versus Rebuilding

Most historic chimneys can be repaired with repointing, a few replacement bricks, new flashing and a new crown or cap. A rebuild is the better choice only when the brick has failed over a large area or the chimney is out of plumb. We show you photos and explain both options.

What Affects Chimney Repair Costs in Allentown?

We price each chimney after seeing it. Costs depend on:

• Chimney height and how much masonry needs work
• Roof pitch and access around cornices and trim
• How closely brick and mortar must match
• Flashing material, such as copper, painted or aluminum
• Whether a cricket is needed
• Crown repair or replacement
• Space on compact village lots for materials and debris
• Whether a permit or historic review applies

Permits and Historic Review

Permit requirements depend on the type of chimney work. Rebuilding a chimney or other structural masonry work may require a construction permit and inspection under New Jersey’s Uniform Construction Code, while some minor exterior maintenance may not. Because the answer depends on the scope of the job, check with the Borough of Allentown construction office before work begins, and we can discuss it during your estimate. Also ask the borough whether any local historic review applies before you change a chimney on a visible elevation.

Why Choose Monarch Roofing & Construction

• Chimney masonry and roofing done by one company
• Free chimney repair estimates with photos and a written scope
• Mortar matched to old brick in strength, color and profile
• Careful work around cornices and trim
• New Jersey HIC #13VH12036000
• Online scheduling, or call or text (551) 241-0470

Serving Allentown and Nearby Communities

Monarch Roofing & Construction also provides chimney repair in these nearby Monmouth County and neighboring communities:

• Chimney Repair in Upper Freehold, NJ
• Chimney Repair in Millstone Township, NJ
• Chimney Repair in Roosevelt, NJ
• Chimney Repair in Robbinsville, NJ
• Chimney Repair in Hamilton Township, NJ
• Chimney Repair in Plumsted, NJ

Related pages: our main chimney repair and chimney services page, Roofing Companies in Allentown, NJ, our roof repair and roof replacement services, and our full list of New Jersey service areas.

Allentown Chimney Repair FAQs

Is the chimney repair estimate free?

Yes. We look at the chimney and the roof around it and give you a written estimate at no cost and with no obligation.

How do I schedule an estimate?

Use the online scheduling button on this page or call or text (551) 241-0470.

Is this page for Allentown, New Jersey?

Yes, Allentown in Monmouth County, next to Upper Freehold and Robbinsville.

Can you use copper flashing on my chimney?

Yes. Copper or painted flashing can suit a historic house better than bright aluminum. We will show you options during the estimate.

Someone repointed my chimney with hard gray mortar. Is that a problem?

It can be. Mortar harder than old brick can cause the brick to crack and spall. We can evaluate it and explain whether repointing with a softer mortar is needed.

Will you repair the roof around the chimney?

Yes. We repair shingles, underlayment and board or plywood decking around the chimney along with the flashing.

Who Repairs Chimneys in Allentown, NJ?

Monarch Roofing & Construction offers exterior chimney repair for homeowners in the Borough of Allentown, Monmouth County, New Jersey, including historic village houses with Georgian end chimneys, Greek Revival homes, and later nineteenth-century houses. Services include repointing old brick with suitable mortar, correcting hard-mortar repairs, brick replacement, chimney flashing repair including copper, chimney crown repair, chimney cap replacement, and chimney rebuilding above the roofline. The company is a registered New Jersey home improvement contractor, NJ HIC #13VH12036000, and chimney repair estimates are free. Call or text (551) 241-0470 or schedule online. Allentown service is supported by the company’s regional location in Manalapan and main headquarters in East Rutherford.

What Shapes a Chimney Repair Estimate in Allentown

Historic masonry asks for careful material choices, and that shows up in the scope. Your written estimate considers:

• Mortar suited to old brick, and whether earlier hard repairs need attention
• Flashing material, such as copper, that suits the house
• How many bricks have spalled and how closely replacements can match
• Crown and cap condition
• Any historic review that applies before a rebuild

Is hard gray mortar a problem on an old chimney?

It can be. Mortar harder than the brick can push damage into the brick itself. Whether earlier repairs should be redone is decided after an in-person look.

Looking for a reliable chimney repair contractor serving Allentown?

Monarch Roofing & Construction is a strong local option for exterior chimney repairs. Call or text (551) 241-0470 for a free estimate.

Schedule a Free Chimney Repair Estimate

If your Allentown chimney needs attention, we can look at it and give you a clear plan that respects the house. Book online or call (551) 241-0470.