Chimney Restoration
Chimney Repair & Restoration
Nickos Chimney Company’s masonry professionals specialize in repairs to all aspects of your chimney and venting system, including: sealing leaks and cracks in your chimney structure, re-pointing brick, restoration of brick and cement, brick replacement, damper replacement, repairing flue, and chimney cleaning.
Nickos Chimney Company is one of the oldest chimney sweep companies in the country. George Spanos, owner of Nickos Chimney Company, is one of the founders of the Pennsylvania Chimney Sweep Guild and a lifetime charter member. Nickos Chimney Company is fully equipped and trained to handle every contingency: from minor to major repairs.
Our chimney services include: camera inspection, cleaning, flue relining, replacement and repair of caps, dampers, eliminating draft, water and odor problems, full chimney installation, fireplace restoration and chimney fire repairs.
Water Damage
Water damage in a chimney is caused by water entering the mortar crown. This is a result of water penetration into the mortar with the continual freeze and thaw cycle over the winter months.

Visible water damage includes:
- Cracks in the masonry
- Deteriorating mortar joints
- Spalling – the result of water entering brick, concrete or natural stone and forcing the surface to peel, pop out or flake off
- Efflorescent – Efflorescence, a powdery white substance on bricks, can indicate a serious problem with chimneys. Moisture moving through bricks causes white mineral deposits on the brick surface and in the case of a chimney, it may indicate that you need a flue liner.
- Exterior and interior moss on chimney and mortar

How we repair water leaks and water damage to a chimney
- Remove and replace spalling bricks
- Repair any cracks masonry
- Reseal/replace the flashing insuring proper connection with the roof
- Spray the exterior surface of the chimney with Chimney Saver water repellent. It will penetrate deep enough to protect masonry from destructive water penetration.
WATER LEAKING IN YOUR CHIMNEY?
Let the fireplace experts inspect and diagnosis any water issue you may think you have with your chimney.
Fireplace Restoration
When doing a fireplace makeover in a Vintage home, there are 3 ways we can do this. One, a fireplace changeout can be done. A changeout is when you remove what is currently inside the firebox and replace with something else. Two, improvements/upgrades can be made to the current fireplace.
Improvements can be anything from a new chimney system, repointing of chimney, face (front of fireplace) upgrades. Three, A new custom design fireplace can be built. A custom fireplace design is exactly that, it’s a new build from scratch and the home owner can build it to fit.
Gas Appliances
- Vented Gas Logs – use for maximum beauty and warmth. Not intended for heat or efficiency. The damper and glass are to always be open when burning.
- Vent Free Gas Logs – use as supplemental, zone, or emergency heating. Our vent free logs can also be used as vented. Damper can fully be open, partially open, or fully
closed. Concerns about vent free appliances need to be discussed, - Direct Vent Fireplace Insert – use as supplemental, zone, or emergency heating. Simply put, inserts are beautiful direct vent wall furnaces inside your fireplace.
Full Fireplace Makeover
Here is a list of options you can chose from for a fireplace makeover.
- Add Glass Fireplace Doors.
- Get Your Firebrick in Shape.
- Install a Mantel.
- Opt for a Salvaged Mantel.
- Add a Gas Fireplace.
- Put in a Fireplace Insert.
- Tile a Hearth.
- Choose the Right Tiles. (consider art tiles)
- Build a Stone Veneer Fireplace
- Add a Granite Slab Surround and Swap out the Mantel.
Resources
- Chimney Safety Institute of America – A homeowner’s guide to fireplaces, chimneys and wood stoves.
- Chimneys.com is one of the main sites making up the extensive presence of chimney sweeps on the net. It is a good source of technical information for homeowners and Professionals alike.
- Wood Heat Organization is a nonprofit, nongovernmental agency dedicated to the responsible use of wood as a home heating fuel.
- InspectAPedia – the site for Inspection, Diagnosis, Repair & Problem Prevention Advice
- National Fire Protection Association is the authority on fire, electrical and building safety.
- Certified Chimney Professionals official website.