Complete Chimney Rebuild in NE Portland, OR

Full Masonry Reconstruction Using New 8″ Red Rugg Bricks

Project Overview: Rebuilding a Failing Chimney for Long-Term Safety

A homeowner in NE Portland contacted Portland Chimney Inc. with serious concerns about their existing masonry chimney. The structure was visibly leaning, and an interior evaluation revealed significant water damage, debris buildup, and evidence of past fire exposure. In its current condition, the chimney was unsafe and fully unsuitable for use.

To restore safety, functionality, and structural integrity, the homeowner chose Portland Chimney Inc. to perform a complete demolition and rebuild of the chimney within its original footprint—bringing it up to modern code and long-term performance standards.

A tall, rectangular brick chimney attached to the side of a green two-story house with metal awnings, under a clear blue sky.

A tall, rectangular brick chimney attached to a green house with white window and door awnings, under a clear blue sky.

The Problem: A Leaning, Damaged Chimney With Internal Deterioration

During our initial assessment, we identified several critical issues:

A visibly leaning chimney, creating major structural risks
Internal water damage and signs of debris infiltration
Evidence of past fire exposure, compromising masonry strength
A failing interior structure that no longer met safety standards
An outdated design that required full reconstruction to be code compliant

With so many compounding safety issues, repair was not a viable option. A complete rebuild was the only safe and effective solution.

Our Solution: Full Chimney Demolition & Rebuild Using 8″ Red Rugg Bricks

To ensure structural integrity and code compliance, Portland Chimney followed a comprehensive rebuild process tailored to this property.

Permitting, Design & Measurements

Before work began, our senior mason Manuel and operations manager Angelica completed critical pre-construction planning, including:

Measuring property lines, building elevations, and chimney elevation points
Creating detailed drawings for the City of Portland mechanical permit
Navigating the multi-step permitting review and approval process
Scheduling the project and ordering all required materials

With permits approved, work could officially begin.

Step 1: Safety Setup & Full Demolition

We began with jobsite safety measures and equipment setup.
After securing the work area, our team:

Fully demolished the existing chimney
Excavated and removed the original footing
Jackhammered the particularly thick existing concrete foundation
Cleaned the site and prepared it for inspection

This stage ensured a clean, stable base for the new chimney.

A construction worker mixes cement under scaffolding, surrounded by Quikrete bags and construction materials at a building site.

Step 2: Footing Construction & First Inspection

With the site cleared, the team prepared for the 220 Footing Inspection by:

Laying No. 4 rebar in compliance with the Oregon Residential Specialty Code
Reinforcing the design beyond required standards for longevity

Once the inspection passed, Manuel poured the new footing.

When our concrete mixer unexpectedly broke, the team continued by hand—mixing concrete in a wheelbarrow and using mortar hoes to stay on schedule. After curing over the weekend, the foundation was ready for masonry work.

Step 3: Masonry Construction

Manuel began rebuilding the chimney from the ground up:

Setting CMU blocks to bring the structure above grade
Constructing the chimney using 8″ red Rugg bricks up to the firebox level
Pouring additional concrete to create a strong, stable firebox base
Building the firebox using buff-colored firebrick
Installing a code-compliant damper to ensure proper draft performance

As construction progressed, chimney straps and reinforcement were installed in preparation for the Masonry Reinforcement (250) Inspection, which passed successfully.