What are the options for reparing a masonry chimney?

2 ways to handle this problem..(1) have a brick layer make repairs to exposed chimney repair or replace brick and re-tuck point brick work (you will need a estimate from a brick layer also known as a masonry for brick work) when that is done line the chimney with a (chimney liner) cost on liner $480.00 to $520.00 include;s labor depending on hth needed and it will come with a cap..as long as this chimney is being used for heating and / or water heater use only if a Fire Place is also using the same chimney you will not be able to line this..(2) remove existing brick chimney on roof and replace with "B"vent this option you will need a roofer involved with this option and cost will be much greater could see as much as $1200.00 to $2100.00 depends on how much is needed on roof repair to close hole size..I am a Licensed heating contractor in the Bloomington / Normal area and do get involved with this type of work any other questions regarding this will be happy to advise if wanted E:Mail to comfortheatingcooling89@yahoo.com

I would not follow what old USA says. If he can't write a clear paragraph, how could you trust his work. You can't even purchase the liner you need wholesale for $520.00, so it def. doesn't include labor. You need a stainless steel liner in any class A. You can use aluminum in gas, but your not getting any liner put in for $500.00, unless they purchased it at HomeDepot for 50 bucks. Sorry to say the only way to fix your problem is what they consider a Roof up Rebuild. They tear your chimney down to the roof or down to where it is now structurally sound, then rebuild it. Any company that gives you quotes on tuckpointing a chimney or replacing parts of it that need it above a roof are just trying to make a few extra bucks. Chimneys rot away from the inside out, due to the acids. By the time you see deterioration, that whole 4" mortar joint is shot. Tuckpointing is the art of grinding out a bad mortar joint No more than ONE inch deep and refilling it. If you have a 4" deep mortar joint that is completely dissolved, what good does filling it only 1" deep do? (absolutely nothing). Due to moisture, it will even let loose within a year, two years max. Then, your chimney is in such bad shape bricks are falling out, that lets you know the rest is ready to go as well. Unfortunately, depending on the size, $3500-4000 is not out of the ordinary. If someone gave you a quote for $1000, I'd say, Run, because it tells me they are just trying to tuckpoint it, make a few bucks and rip you off.