A historic chimney rebuild in Hawthorne means taking a deteriorated brick chimney down to a sound level and rebuilding it with matched brick, proper mortar, new flashing, and a code-correct crown and cap. Chimneys fail before the rest of a rowhome because they’re exposed on every side and take the full force of Philadelphia weather. When the brick is spalling, the mortar is gone, or the stack is leaning, a rebuild restores both safety and the historic look of the facade.

Why Hawthorne Chimneys Deteriorate First

Hawthorne, the rowhome neighborhood between South Street and Washington Avenue, has homes old enough that their chimneys have weathered decades of freeze-thaw with little maintenance. A chimney sits fully exposed — wind, rain, and snow hit it from all sides — so it deteriorates faster than a protected wall:

• Mortar joints open and wash out
• Brick faces spall and flake from trapped water freezing
• The crown at the top cracks and lets water straight in
• Flashing at the roofline fails and leaks into the house
• The whole stack can lean as the mortar gives out

Repair or Full Rebuild?

Not every chimney needs a full rebuild. We assess where the damage stops:

1. Repointing if the brick is sound but the mortar has worn — the same careful repointing we do on facades.
2. Partial rebuild if only the section above the roofline has deteriorated, which is common.
3. Full rebuild if the stack is leaning, badly spalled, or structurally unsound.
4. Crown and cap work to seal the top and keep water and animals out.
5. Flashing repair where the chimney meets the roof, the most common leak point.

We’ll tell you honestly which your chimney needs — we don’t rebuild what can be repointed. See our chimney services for the full scope.

Matching Brick on a Historic Stack

A rebuilt chimney that doesn’t match the house looks wrong from the street and the back alley. Our brickwork uses reclaimed or closely matched brick and tinted mortar so the rebuilt stack reads as original. On a historic Hawthorne rowhome, that match matters.

Signs Your Chimney Needs Attention

• A visibly leaning or tilting stack
• Brick pieces or mortar crumbs in the yard or on the roof
• Spalled, flaking brick on the chimney
• Water stains on ceilings or walls near the chimney
• A cracked or crumbling crown at the top
• White efflorescence staining the brick

What It Costs and How We Quote

Chimney pricing depends on how much of the stack needs rebuilding, height and roof access, whether new flashing and a crown are included, and brick matching. A repoint-and-cap is modest; a full rebuild from the roofline up is a larger job. We never quote sight unseen — every job starts with a free on-site estimate, and we’re licensed and insured.

Third-Generation Philadelphia Masons

Natalini & Son has rebuilt Philadelphia chimneys since 1974 — third generation, every crew led by a family member, 6,000-plus projects across Center City and the surrounding neighborhoods. See our work in the gallery, read more about us, or view our Hawthorne chimney page.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does my whole chimney need rebuilding, or just part?

Often just the section above the roofline, which weathers worst. If the brick lower down is sound, repointing may be enough. If the stack is leaning or badly spalled, a full rebuild is safer. We assess where the damage stops during the estimate.

Why is my chimney leaking into the house?

The most common causes are failed flashing where the chimney meets the roof and a cracked crown at the top. Both let water straight in. Sealing those, along with repointing, usually stops the leak.

Can you match the brick to the rest of my house?

Yes. We use reclaimed or closely matched brick and tint the mortar so a rebuilt chimney blends with the original masonry. On a historic Hawthorne rowhome, the match is important.

How do I know my chimney is unsafe?

Warning signs include a visibly leaning stack, brick or mortar falling into the yard, heavy spalling, and water stains inside near the chimney. If you see those, schedule an inspection before using the fireplace.