When a brick chimney is completely dilapidating, we are often called out to tear it down. Most every time the time the chimney does not need to be removed. Taking a chimney down is massively expensive and brings the value of the home significantly down.
Our masons can fill the mortar joints to brick level to stop water coming in the chimney through the holes and cracks. After the smear is completed, we apply a waterproof product to the chimney. Very rarely do we see the chimney continue to leak after these applications.