Covered porch with a stacked-stone fireplace, mounted TV and lounge seating

Chimney and fireplace repair · Masonry, flashing and surroundsChimney and Fireplace Repair on the roof and inside the room

Leaking chimney flashing, a cracked crown, tired brick, a dated fireplace surround or an outdoor fireplace on a covered porch. JACCO handles the construction side of chimneys and fireplaces, inside and out.

Schedule a Consultation or call (615) 674-8642

BBB Accredited A+ rating · zero complaints
Licensed & Insured TN Contractor License #79477
25+ Years in the Trades Led by owner Jonathon Wilkinson
5.0 Client Rating 16 verified reviews on HomeAdvisor
Locally Owned Cottontown · Sumner County, TN

Composite deck stairs with built-in step lights and black railings beside a painted brick chimney

Chimneys as construction

A chimney is masonry, roofing and carpentry in one

A chimney passes through nearly every layer of a house, from the foundation to the attic, and finishes above the roofline where it takes the full force of the weather. Problems usually show up in one of three places. On the roof, failed flashing or a cracked crown lets water into the masonry and the framing around it. On the exterior, brick and mortar weather and stain. Inside, the fireplace surround and mantel simply date the room.

JACCO approaches chimney repair as a general contractor. Flashing and crickets are roofing details. Crowns, mortar joints and brick are masonry. Surrounds, mantels and the built-ins on either side of a firebox are finish carpentry, the kind of interior work JACCO’s own carpenters do. Bringing them under one scope means the leak, the stained ceiling beside the chimney and the dated mantel can be handled in one project rather than three.

There is also a specialist side. Flue liners, dampers and smoke chambers call for a chimney professional who inspects and repairs the inside of the flue, and we bring one in whenever a project touches those parts. If you are adding a fireplace rather than repairing one, a covered porch or patio built around a stone or brick fireplace is one of the outdoor living projects JACCO takes on.

What’s included

Chimney and fireplace work, inside and out

Most chimney projects combine trades. We take on the pieces below alone or together, and bring in a chimney specialist for flue work.

Chimney flashing and cricket repairs
Crown repair and rebuilding
Repointing and brick repair
Painting and refinishing exterior brick
Framed chimney chases and siding
Fireplace surrounds and hearths
Custom mantels and flanking built-ins
Outdoor fireplaces on covered porches
Interior repairs after chimney leaks

Three kinds of chimney and fireplace projects

On the roof

Leaks and weather damage

Flashing, crickets and crowns repaired or rebuilt so water stops entering the chimney and the framing around it, followed by repairs to any stained ceilings or walls inside.

In the room

A new surround and mantel

A surround in tile, stone or painted wood, a mantel built to suit the room, and cabinetry or shelving on either side, all fitted around the existing firebox and hearth.

Outdoors

A fireplace on the porch

A stone or brick fireplace built into a covered porch or patio, framed and finished with the rest of the outdoor room, including the ceiling, lighting and the seating area around it.

Why JACCO

Chimney work in the right order

Water first, finishes second

If a chimney is letting water in, we fix the flashing, crown or masonry before touching interior finishes. Painting a stained ceiling or replacing a mantel over an active leak only means doing that work twice.

Specialists for the flue

Liners, dampers and smoke chambers are inspected and repaired by a chimney professional. JACCO coordinates that visit with the rest of the project, so masonry, roofing and interior work are sequenced around it.

Surrounds built like furniture

Mantels, surrounds and the built-ins beside them are finish carpentry, scribed to the walls and detailed to suit the room. It is the same work that goes into JACCO’s staircases and built-in cabinetry.

“Their quality of workmanship presented a beautiful end result, especially the fireplace surround and custom stair railing.”

In their words Lynette M. Interior carpentry, fireplace surround and stair railing · Centerville, TN HomeAdvisor review (verified) · May 2022

How a JACCO project runs

Bid, schedule, build, punch list, close.

See the full process

Stage 1Bid
Site visit, measurements and a written bid tied to a clear scope of work.
Stages 2 and 3Schedule · Build
Selections settled, materials lined up, a detailed schedule, and a protected, clean home while we build.
Stages 4 and 5Punch list · Close
We walk the finished work with you and close the project when every item on the list is done.

Why is there water around my chimney inside the house?

Most often, the metal flashing that seals the chimney to the roof has failed or was never installed correctly. A cracked crown, porous brick or mortar, or the lack of a cricket behind a wide chimney can also let water in, and each needs a different fix. We inspect from the roof and from the attic to find the actual source before recommending any repair.

Can you update a fireplace surround without replacing the fireplace?

Usually, yes. A new surround in tile, stone or painted wood, a new mantel and a refreshed hearth can be fitted around the existing firebox, as long as the materials and clearances suit the type of fireplace you have. We check the firebox and its condition during the site visit, and if a gas insert or wood-burning firebox needs attention, a specialist handles that part.

Is painting a brick chimney a good idea?

It can be, with the right preparation and coating. Paint gives an older chimney a clean, uniform look, but masonry needs a breathable product, and cracks, loose mortar and leaks should be repaired first so moisture is not trapped behind the finish. Paint is also very hard to remove from brick later, so it is worth being certain before you commit.

Do you build outdoor fireplaces?

Yes, as part of covered porch and patio projects. An outdoor fireplace is usually built with the porch itself, so the foundation, framing, roof and chimney are planned together and the fireplace becomes the anchor of the outdoor room. Stone or brick, the surround style and the hearth height are chosen to suit the house and the way you plan to use the space.