Chimney & Fireplace Projects Across Portland Metro

Portland’s older neighborhoods — Irvington, Alameda, Laurelhurst, and Eastmoreland — are filled with pre-1930 homes with original masonry chimneys. These systems often include clay tile liners, Rumford-style fireboxes, and hand-built smoke chambers constructed long before modern code requirements existed.

See more Rumford-style fireboxes →
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Restoring these chimneys requires more than standard repair work. It requires an understanding of how these systems were originally built and how to bring them up to modern safety standards without compromising their structure or character.

Our team is EPA Lead-Safe Certified for work in pre-1978 homes, and all inspections are performed by OCSA-certified chimney sweeps. Every restoration scope is based on what’s happening inside the chimney—not just what’s visible from the outside.

Common issues we correct include:
✓ Fireboxes that have been patched multiple times over the decades
✓ Deteriorated or missing mortar joints
✓ Cracked or unlined flues
✓ Smoke chamber defects

A chimney rebuild becomes necessary when the structure has deteriorated beyond repair. In some cases, that means rebuilding from the roofline up. In others, it requires a full tear-out of the foundation. In Portland homes, this is most often the result of long-term water intrusion or structural concerns in unreinforced masonry chimneys.

Every rebuild we complete is designed to correct the original failure, not just replace what was there. That includes proper crown construction, water management, and code-compliant structure built to handle Portland’s climate over the long term.

Typical conditions that require a rebuild:
✓ Advanced water damage
✓ Structural instability or visible leaning
✓ Internal flue failure
✓ Seismic concerns in older masonry chimneys

Fireplace projects range from structural firebox rebuilds to complete aesthetic transformations. In many Portland homes, the existing fireplace requires internal correction, such as replacing deteriorated firebrick or improving smoke chamber geometry, before any visible upgrades can be completed.

We handle full fireplace remodels, including new surrounds and hearths, as well as Rumford firebox conversions in historic homes. For homeowners looking for a modern alternative, we also coordinate electric fireplace installations that eliminate the need for a chimney system entirely.

Chimney liner work is one of the most common services we complete, particularly in homes built before 1940. Many of these chimneys either have no liner at all or rely on clay tile liners that have cracked or deteriorated over time, allowing heat and gases to escape into the surrounding structure.

We install 316Ti stainless steel liners for wood-burning systems and provide repair solutions for chimneys that are structurally sound but internally compromised.

Common liner-related issues include:
✓ Missing or unlined flues
✓ Cracked or deteriorated clay tile liners
✓ Flue gas leakage into the home
✓ Poor draft and performance problems

Outdoor fireplace projects are built from the ground up as complete masonry systems designed for long-term durability. In Portland’s wet climate, that means proper footings, weather-rated materials, and chimney construction that can handle constant exposure to the elements.

We handle both the design-build process and permitting, ensuring each project meets local code requirements and delivers a finished space built to last for decades.