Sixties and seventies masonry
Much of the housing in these northeast Bexar County communities was built in the 1960s and 1970s. Those chimneys are now between fifty and sixty years old, an age when crowns crack and mortar joints wear down.
Greater San Antonio · Bexar County
Much of Live Oak was built in the 1960s along the I-35 corridor. Our chimney sweep in Live Oak visits often turn up old mortar and crowns. We photograph everything before any repair, then handle chimney cleaning and chimney repair on aging masonry.
As a new homeowner, why pick $299 over $99?
Online ads near $99 often leave the inspection as a separate line item. Choosing $299 gets you a standard single-flue cleaning plus a full Level 1 inspection in one stop. Live Oak's homes from the 1960s benefit from that closer look. Why $299, not $99 →
Live Oak is a city in northeast Bexar County along the I-35 corridor, between San Antonio and Schertz. It incorporated in the 1960s and much of its housing dates from that period and the decades immediately after.
That puts the typical Live Oak chimney at fifty or sixty years old. Masonry from that era has mortar joints that have receded and crowns that have generally cracked at least once, and clay tile liners of that age frequently show damage.
Newer infill development around the older core adds framed chase construction, so both types exist here. We inspect before quoting rather than assuming which is on the roof.
Much of the housing in these northeast Bexar County communities was built in the 1960s and 1970s. Those chimneys are now between fifty and sixty years old, an age when crowns crack and mortar joints wear down.
Because Randolph Air Force Base is nearby, there is a lot of turnover, rental housing, and property management. Rental chimneys often go too long without inspection because no one takes ownership of the issue.
Bexar County does not see hard freezes often, but they do happen. When temperatures fall, water trapped in open mortar joints causes spalling.
New construction near Live Oak often uses framed chases with metal covers. Those covers usually fail first, not the structure below.
Homes built here in the 1960s often need mortar joint repair and crown resealing. Because so many homes in Live Oak are older, we focus on crowns, masonry, and inspections.
Rental homes and houses that change owners often go too long without an inspection. We photograph every problem we find. Landlords and buyers both find this useful.
On newer homes in Live Oak, the chase cover is usually the first thing to fail.
A cracked crown on a chimney this old sends water straight into the masonry. Repairs are inexpensive; ignoring the problem is not.
Mortar on fifty or sixty year old masonry has usually pulled back. Repointing now can prevent a partial rebuild later. Try scratching a joint by hand; if it comes loose, it needs repointing.
Live Oak sits in Bexar County, to the northeast of San Antonio.
Crown and mortar joints on Live Oak chimneys often fail before the liner does. Five or six decades of weather is what drives that.
Yes. Clay tile liners from that era crack with age and thermal cycling, and the damage is not visible from the room.
Repointing replaces the worn mortar while the brick is still sound, which is what most 1960s Live Oak chimneys need. A rebuild replaces the masonry itself and is only worth it when the brick has failed.
Yes. Newer construction uses framed chases with metal covers, so the failures are at the top rather than in masonry.
Once a year if the fireplace gets regular use, and the 1960s-era mortar and crowns get checked while we are up there.
No. We cover the floor and hearth and run a dust-controlled vacuum for the entire visit.
Yes. We offer Live Oak appointments daily, 8 AM until 8 PM.
Live Oak is surrounded by towns we serve: Selma, Universal City, Converse and Schertz, all with the same seven-day hours.
Official resources Live Oak homeowners may find helpful:
Photograph the problem, explain the options plainly, give you the price before work starts, and let you decide. See our before and after gallery, read our customer reviews, or find out who we are.
"Very pleased with the professionalism and promptness of service. The chimney sweep was done quickly and efficiently at significantly less cost than the first quote I got from another company. Happy to recommend Lowes Chimney Sweep to anyone in Plano!"
"Outstanding chimney sweep service from start to finish. They were punctual, courteous, and left our chimney spotless with no mess in our home. I won't use anyone else for chimney services in Dallas TX!"
More reviews from homeowners across the metroplex are on our reviews section, or learn more about our team before you book.
Throughout Live Oak, including Woodcrest, Forest Bluff and the Toepperwein corridor.
Same day service where the schedule allows, seven days a week.
Call (214) 225-8874