Bricks, Masonry, Asphalt and Concrete - Brick chimney repair or replace?

Brick chimney - spaces between bricks and looks very "worn out" from roof line up.

I have a great handyman (i don't do heights) who has experience with concrete type chimneys and he explained that he usually nails wire screening type (don't know what its called) to the chimney and concretes over it.

He's never done brick isn't sure how to start. I've only seem brick taken down, cleaned up (replaced if needed) and reinstalled. Never seen it covered with concrete.

How would he nail the screening to brick?

If liner is good should I think aboukt replacing chimney? seems a waste as for the most part everything below roofline looks ok.

I could hire a mason - but this handyman is really good, we've been working on projects since May and there hasn't been one that we couldn't conquer yet!

I would be reluctant to just cover things up and forget about them.

Hava a mason look at the top of the chimney. Usuallt the only problem is due to severe weathering due to exposure and a poor chimney cap.

He can look at the top flues and relay the brick that need to be relaid. Look into a chimney cap that prevents water from running down the side of the chimney. Most mason suppliers carry some precast units.

Dick

Thanks for reply -

If I'm correct no need to reply again

Take down bricks till we get to a "good section" check liner - if its okay just relay the bricks.

Get a cap to prevent water from entering...

Sounds okay to me!

We just had the chimney for our radiator rebuilt from 2 feet below the roofline up and we are having a horrible time. We got 3 quotes and went with the company with the longest warranty since we are new to the neighborhood and didn't know anyone to ask. They made a mess of our yard, destroyed almost all of the old brick even though it looked fine by throwing it from the roof to the cement sidewalk next to our house. In the meantime they also broke the sidewalk as well. They left masonry all over the rest of the sidewalk, in our plants, on our privacy fence, on our shingles, etc. I don't think the cap is installed properly, but don't know for sure . . .

Anyway, I have now found angieslist.com which has normal people rank contractors. It also has some other benefits. You should check it out before hiring someone.

Also, just do not pay until they are done and everything that you agreed on is satisfactory.

Dick

Ditto everything ConcreteMasonry said.