A Bethesda, Maryland homeowner contacted Priddy Chimney Solutions after noticing that something about their chimney didn’t look quite right. It’s a good thing they called us when they did, as the problems that we found – if left untreated – could easily have allowed water to enter their home and cause irreparable damage.
What the Inspection Revealed
We conducted a full roof-level assessment, which revealed four interconnected problems:
Mortar joint deterioration from the roofline up, creating gaps where water could penetrate
A failed chimney crown that was cracked and no longer providing a watertight seal around the flue extensions
Loose flashing at the chimney-roof junction, no longer directing water away from the roof deck
Peeling exterior paint, leaving brick exposed and the chimney looking worn from the street
Left unaddressed, these issues allow moisture into the brick, expose the flue liner to rain and debris, and can channel water directly into the roof structure.
Why Chimneys in This Neighborhood Age This Way
This home sits in Huntington Terrace, a community of roughly 300 single-family homes built primarily between the 1920s and late 1940s. Nearly all are structural brick construction, with chimneys that reflect the building practices of the era. The double-flue configuration here — two clay tile-lined flues running through a single central stack, serving back-to-back fireplaces on two floors — is standard for the colonials and Cape Cods in this neighborhood.
Several factors combine to accelerate chimney deterioration on homes of this age in this neighborhood:
Freeze-thaw cycles. Bethesda winters bring repeated freezing and thawing throughout the season. Moisture that enters through hairline cracks or worn mortar expands when it freezes and contracts when it thaws — a cycle that repeats dozens of times each winter, gradually forcing open cracks and prying mortar away from brick.
Mature tree canopy. Huntington Terrace is heavily wooded, which keeps masonry shaded and damp longer after rain. Chimneys that don’t fully dry between storms are more susceptible to moss, efflorescence (white mineral staining), and accelerated mortar deterioration.
Original crowns without expansion joints. Crowns from the 1940s and 1950s were typically poured thin, without the expansion joints used in modern construction. Over decades of thermal movement and settling, they crack — often right down the center — sending water directly into the flue and chimney body. This is one of the most common repair triggers on homes this age throughout Bethesda and Montgomery County.
Painted brick. Masonry paint can protect sound brick, but if underlying cracks or mortar gaps exist, paint traps moisture beneath the surface, leading to spalling and interior damage that isn’t visible until paint begins to bubble or peel.
How We Restored This Bethesda Chimney Through Tuckpointing, Crown Replacement, and a Fresh Coat of Paint
The homeowner hired Priddy to complete a full exterior chimney restoration: tuckpointing all mortar joints, replacing the double-flue crown, resealing the flashing, and repainting the chimney white.
Tuckpointing — Deteriorated mortar was ground out from the roofline up and replaced with fresh material matched to the composition appropriate for 1940s-era brick. Done correctly, tuckpointing restores structural integrity, stops water penetration, and extends the life of the brick without damaging softer historic masonry.
A challenge with tuckpointing homes of this age is that the softer brick and lime-heavy mortars used in the 1940s respond differently to repair than modern materials. Using a too-hard Portland cement mix on soft historic brick can actually accelerate damage to the surrounding masonry. Matching mortar composition matters.
Crown replacement — The existing crown was demolished and removed along with the deteriorated flue extensions. A new concrete crown was built with a minimum two-inch thickness and expansion joints — a critical detail for climates with significant temperature swings like the Washington, D.C. metro area.
Flashing reseal — The flashing at the chimney base was resealed with fresh silicone. Flashing failure is one of the leading causes of roof leaks and is frequently misdiagnosed as a roofing problem rather than a chimney issue.
Exterior repaint — Two coats of masonry paint were applied to the full chimney surface, providing surface protection and a clean, finished appearance.
Is Your Home from the 1940s or 1950s? This Is Worth Reading.
Chimney deterioration on homes this age is largely invisible until it becomes expensive. Most damage happens at the top of the structure, so homeowners often don’t know there’s a problem until water appears inside.
If your chimney hasn’t been inspected recently, or if you’ve noticed crumbling mortar, staining near the flashing, or water near your fireplace, a professional assessment is the right first step. Our team can evaluate your chimney’s full condition and advise on what, if anything, needs to be done.
