Tuckpointing—not repointing—brick can increase its lifespan while improving its appearance. How to tell if your home needs it. What is tuckpointing? If you've ever renovated a brick or stone structure ...

Q. My question is about chimney bricks. In 1987, I bought a twenty year old brick house. The furnace, gas water heater, and fireplace are all in the basement so the double flue chimney rises from ...

A fireplace can be an asset in a home, even if it hasn't hosted a roaring blaze in decades. Inactive fireplaces supply charm, rather than warmth. But as lovely as they are, chimneys -- both inactive ...