Frequently Asked Questions

Yes — every estimate is free and there's no obligation. Call (419) 971-7166 or request a quote online, and Merle will come out, look at the work that's actually needed, and give you a fair, honest price. We'll never push you toward the most expensive option.

We're based in Wooster and serve all of Wayne County plus the surrounding region — including Akron, Medina, Ashland, Mansfield and Canton, and Holmes, Richland, Crawford, Morrow, Knox, Coshocton, Tuscarawas and Stark counties. Not sure if you're in range? Give us a call and we'll let you know.

Chim-Line handles the full range of masonry and chimney work: brick repair and replacement, tuckpointing and mortar matching, stone masonry, concrete block walls, retaining walls, structural masonry, chimney repair, restoration, rebuilds, crowns and caps, chimney cleaning, fireplace repair, custom outdoor fireplaces, and new masonry construction.

Yes — this is one of the things our customers mention most. We carefully match brick color, size and texture and mix mortar to match the color and type of your existing joints, so repairs and tuckpointing blend in instead of standing out. On older and historic homes that often means using a softer, period-appropriate mortar.

It's almost always water plus Ohio's freeze-thaw cycles. Moisture soaks into porous brick and old mortar joints, then expands as it freezes — over dozens of cycles each winter it flakes the face off brick (spalling) and crumbles mortar. Repointing and sealing the masonry before it gets worse is the most cost-effective fix.

Chim-Line Masonry LLC is a BBB A+ accredited, insured masonry contractor owned and operated by Merle Hochstedler. You're working directly with the craftsman doing the job — not a salesperson or a subcontracted crew.

It depends on how far the damage goes. Cracked crowns, deteriorated mortar joints, a few spalled bricks or worn flashing are usually repairs. When the brick is crumbling throughout, the chimney is leaning, or large sections have failed, a partial rebuild (above the roofline) or full rebuild is safer and lasts longer. We'll tell you honestly which one you actually need.

Both. We've fixed a few broken porch bricks and we've rebuilt entire chimneys. No job is too small — if you've got loose steps, a leaky chimney or a cracked wall, we're glad to help.

Every project is different, so the honest answer is that it depends on the scope, materials and access. That's exactly why we come out and give a free, detailed estimate up front. Our reviews consistently mention fair, competitive pricing and no surprise upsells.

Timelines depend on the season and our current schedule — masonry also relies on dry weather and the right temperatures for mortar to cure. We'll give you a realistic start window and keep you updated throughout, including if weather shifts the plan.

Yes. Chim-Line is owner-operated, so Merle is personally involved in your project from the estimate through the final walkthrough. That's how we keep quality and accountability high.

We do. Our number one goal is customer satisfaction, and we don't consider a job finished until it's done right and you're happy with it. We're proud of our 5.0-star Google rating and A+ BBB accreditation, and we work hard to keep it that way.

The fastest way is to call or text (419) 971-7166. You can also email ChimlineMasonaryLLC@gmail.com or fill out the quote form on this site — we'll get back to you promptly to schedule your free estimate.

A few photos of the problem area, your address, and a short description of what you're seeing (a leak, cracked brick, a chimney concern, etc.) help a lot. Don't worry if you're not sure what's wrong — that's what the free on-site assessment is for.

Yes. Water getting into a chimney or wall only gets worse and more expensive over time, so let us know it's urgent when you call and we'll do our best to get out quickly to assess and protect your home.