What does “spalling” describe?
Spalling describes material breaking or flaking away from a surface. In brickwork, it can leave part of the outer face missing and expose the material beneath. The term describes a condition; it does not identify every cause or tell you the appropriate chimney repair.
A National Institutes of Health facilities bulletin explains how water in porous materials can freeze, expand and contribute to cracking. Repeated freezing and thawing can lead to loss of the outer brick layer. That is one reason a masonry assessment should consider moisture, rather than only the appearance of the damaged face.
Source: NIH Facilities bulletin: The Freeze-Thaw Cycle in Concrete and Brick Assemblies (PDF, January 2019), checked October 30, 2026. The bulletin explains a general material process, not the cause of damage to your chimney.
Describe the location and pattern
Use an existing photograph or a view from ground level to describe what you noticed. Is the missing material on one visible brick face or several? Is it near the top or lower down? When did you first notice it? If you have an older photograph, keep both with their dates.
Do not reach up to test a brick, knock material loose or climb onto the roof for a closer picture. If fragments are falling, keep people away from the area and arrange prompt professional assessment. A distant photograph is useful context, but it cannot establish whether the damage is limited to what you can see.
Keep separate notes for each observation. “Flakes missing from two visible faces” is a clearer description than assuming “the chimney needs rebuilding.”
Distinguish brick loss from other visible concerns
A white surface deposit, deteriorated mortar between bricks and missing brick material are different observations. They may appear together, so mention each one rather than choosing a single label before the visit.
Our white-stains guide discusses the questions to ask about deposits. Our repointing and brick-repair guide explains why mortar-joint work and brick replacement should have distinct descriptions in a proposal.
Ask the provider to identify which conditions are present on your chimney and where they were observed. A broad line item such as “masonry repair” should be connected to those findings.
Ask how moisture fits into the assessment
The Brick Industry Association recommends determining moisture sources before repairs intended to correct water penetration. It also advises inspecting masonry and correcting deficiencies before considering an exterior coating. Its guidance distinguishes routine maintenance from structural concerns that may require a more involved professional investigation.
Source: BIA Technical Note 46: Maintenance of Brick Masonry (PDF, December 2017), checked October 30, 2026.
For your assessment, ask what is known about moisture entry, what remains uncertain and whether another specialist is recommended. Do not assume a coating alone addresses damaged brick or the reason it deteriorated. If moisture appears after rain, share that timing using the observations in our chimney leak guide.
Turn the findings into a defined next step
Ask the provider to separate the documented condition, any further investigation and the work proposed. Which bricks or areas are included? What related concerns would remain outside the scope? How would additional findings change the proposal?
Keep the report photographs with the quote so the area described in one is identifiable in the other. Ask what completion documentation will describe the work done and any remaining recommendations. The appropriate repair depends on the assessment, not simply on the word “spalling.”
For a New York chimney repair enquiry, include your ZIP code, the location of the visible damage and when you noticed it. Mention any fallen fragments, moisture history or prior report. Ask Brickhaven to confirm the available assessment and service scope.
Your questions, answered.
Does flaking brick mean the whole chimney must be rebuilt?
A visible condition alone does not establish the repair scope. Ask the professional to assess its extent, identify the findings and explain any further investigation needed.
Will repointing replace a missing brick face?
Repointing concerns mortar joints. Ask whether the proposal also addresses the damaged brick units and which tasks are included.
Can I tell the cause from a photo?
A photo can help locate and document the concern, but it cannot establish all contributing conditions. Share the image and history with the professional assessing the chimney.