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HERITAGE + RESIDENTIAL + COMMERCIAL BCIN STAMPED $5M INSURED 24-HR EMERGENCY
North York postwar brick bungalow during a chimney crown rebuild
Serving Willowdale, Don Mills + More

Masonry + Chimney Repair in North York | Toronto Elite Masonry, BCIN Stamped Since 2003

City of Toronto

Toronto Elite Masonry provides heritage brick, tuckpointing and foundation parging throughout North York, backed by 22+ years combined Toronto masonry and heritage restoration.

North York was built out fast after the war, and most of its houses are 1950s-1970s brick bungalows and side-splits in Willowdale, Don Mills, Bayview Village, Downsview and Armour Heights. Those homes are now 50 to 70 years old, and the original chimney crowns and foundation parging are wearing out at the same time across whole streets. Add the wave of modern infill homes going up next door, and we also see brick veneer cracks from excavation on shared lot lines. Lawrence Park and York Mills bring older, larger homes with their own heritage character. We handle all of it with fixed-price written quotes and a 10-year warranty.

  • 48-hour site visit; 4-hour emergency
  • BCIN stamped where required
  • 24-hour written CAD quote
Request a Free Site Visit Call (647) 277-2003

Book a Site Visit + Written Quote

Fixed Price

Site visit in 48 hours. Written quote on letterhead in 24 hours after that. Fixed-price. BCIN stamped where required.

No obligation. Written quote on letterhead before any contract.

  • 22+ Yrs Toronto Heritage Track Record
  • $5M Liability + WSIB
  • 24-Hour Written CAD Quote
  • 10-Year Workmanship Warranty
  • 4-Hour Emergency On-Site
  • BCIN Stamped Structural Work
Before You Hire a Mason

North York Chimney Crown + Parging Problems

The Local Problem

Cracked 1950s chimney crowns across Don Mills-era streets

What you see
Chunks of the chimney crown land in the eavestrough, and a brown stain appears on the ceiling beside the chimney after rain.
Why it happens here
Don Mills and the streets around it were built out between 1953 and 1965, so original crowns are 60 to 70 years old and still take about 56 freeze-thaw cycles every year.
How we fix it
Our chimney repair crew pours a cast-in-place crown with a drip edge, renews the flashing and files a building permit when the job becomes a reconstruction.

Three Traps That Sink Toronto Masonry Jobs

  1. 1

    Wrong mortar colour on heritage brick

    Toronto Victorian and Edwardian brick was laid in lime mortar in cream, buff, grey and pink tones. Generic grey Portland cement will not blend, cracks within 5 years and hurts resale. We mix custom lime mortar matched to your brick and archive the recipe.

  2. 2

    Chimney rebuild skips BCIN sign-off

    Toronto Building requires engineered rebuilds for liners over 5m, shifted crowns and party-wall shared stacks. Projects without stamped drawings get rejected first-round, adding 4-8 weeks.

  3. 3

    Parging over wet substrate

    Freeze-thaw destroys parging on damp walls. Infrared moisture detection, substrate stripping, a bonding membrane and multi-coat application are required, or parging flakes off within 2 winters.

We solve all three before mobilizing: written mortar colour analysis, BCIN review and an infrared moisture scan, before any scaffold goes up.

Services + Price Ranges

Chimney, Parging + Brick Services for Postwar Homes

1950s-70s postwar brick bungalows and modern infill: aging chimney crowns and foundation parging dominate.

Chimney Repair

$2,500 - $35,000
HERO KW

We repair and rebuild Toronto chimneys from the crown down: cracked mortar-wash crowns replaced with cast-in-place concrete and a drip edge, spalled brick above the roofline cut out and matched, flue liners renewed and step and counter flashing reset. Every stack gets a drone inspection with a photo report first, and rebuilds with liners over 5m, shifted crowns or shared party-wall stacks get BCIN stamped drawings so Toronto Building approves them first time. Most rebuilds finish in 7-14 days.

Drone InspectionBCIN Stamped7-14 Day Rebuild24-Hr Emergency
Includes
Drone chimney inspection with photo report; Crown rebuilds with cast-in-place overhang and drip edge
Timeline
7-14 days: scaffold 1d, demo 1-2d, rebuild 3-7d, pointing + cap 1-2d

Rosedale: a stack leaning after an ice storm was rebuilt in nine days with heritage brick and lime mortar matched ($22K).

Chimney Repair details

Parging

$1,200 - $8,000
HIGH-VOL

We reparge foundation walls so they stay on. Most parging fails because it was troweled over a damp wall, so we scan with infrared moisture detection first, strip loose material back to sound substrate, apply an acrylic bonding membrane and build the finish in scratch and finish coats, with fiberglass mesh where the wall needs it. We parge single homes and multi-unit buildings, with insurance direct-bill on commercial work.

Infrared Moisture ScanAcrylic Bonding MembraneMulti-CoatCommercial Programs
Includes
Infrared moisture detection before any coat; Full strip of failed parging to sound substrate
Timeline
1-3 days per home plus curing

Forest Hill: flaking east wall stripped, acrylic membrane applied, hand-smoothed finish. Looks better than new ($8K).

Parging details

Brick Repair

$800 - $18,000

We cut out spalled, cracked and loose bricks and replace them with matched or reclaimed Ontario brick so the repair disappears into the wall. We find the cause first, usually hard Portland mortar or trapped moisture, so the new brick does not fail the same way. Toronto buff brick, Don Valley pressed brick and Victorian reds are sourced or salvaged to match, and mortar is matched in colour and strength.

Reclaimed BrickColour MatchedCause Fixed First10-Year Warranty
Includes
Spalled and cracked brick cut-out and replacement; Reclaimed Toronto red and buff brick sourcing
Timeline
1-5 days for most residential repairs

The Annex: spalled brick above second-floor windows replaced with reclaimed Annex red and a BCIN reviewed lintel ($4.3K).

Brick Repair details

Foundation Crack Repair

$800 - $12,000
$33 CPC

We seal leaking foundation cracks from inside with trenchless injection, so there is no excavation and no torn-up garden. Polyurethane injection seals active leaks and flexes with the wall; epoxy injection restores strength where a crack needs bonding. We map moisture with infrared detection first, and we tell you plainly when a crack is structural and needs more than injection. Most cracks are done in a day.

Trenchless InjectionNo ExcavationSame-DayWritten Warranty
Includes
Crack mapping and severity assessment; Trenchless interior injection
Timeline
Most cracks same day

Scarborough: multiple leaking cracks mapped with infrared and sealed from inside, no digging ($9K).

Foundation Crack Repair details

Masonry Repair

$1,500 - $25,000

We repair masonry assemblies, not just individual bricks: bowing walls, failed wall ties, cracked porch columns and veneer that has separated from the frame. We assess whether the wall is solid multi-wythe or veneer before recommending a helical tie retrofit, partial rebuild or full rebuild, and structural repairs get BCIN qualified sign-off to OBC Part 9. Everything is priced in writing before work starts.

Structural AssessmentHelical TiesBCIN Sign-OffVeneer + Columns
Includes
Structural assessment of bowing and cracked walls; Helical wall tie retrofits and partial rebuilds
Timeline
2-10 days by scope

North York: veneer cracked by infill excavation next door was rebuilt after a tie check, with a written report for both insurers.

Masonry Repair details

Concrete Porch Repair

$1,500 - $12,000

We repair and rebuild front porches, steps and landings that have crumbled, sunk or pulled away from the house. Most failures trace to shallow footings and de-icing salt, so rebuilds go down to frost depth with air-entrained concrete, or switch to natural stone. Railing anchors are reset solidly, and landings are sloped to shed water away from the house.

Frost-Depth FootingsAir-Entrained ConcreteStone UpgradeRailings Reset
Includes
Step and landing resurfacing or rebuild; Frost-depth footings
Timeline
2-6 days plus curing

The Beaches: crumbling 40-year-old steps replaced with hand-cut Credit Valley limestone on new footings ($14K).

Porch Repair details

Every Other Service We Offer

Masonry Contractor$2,000 - $85,000One accountable masonry contractor for heritage, residential and commercial work, from chimney rebuilds to facade restoration.Tuckpointing$2,000 - $15,000Heritage-grade joint finishing with custom lime mortar for Victorian brick, or Portland-based mixes for modern walls.Repointing$2,000 - $15,000Removing failed mortar to a sound depth and refilling joints flush, so water stays out of the wall.Stone Masonry$5,000 - $40,000Hand-cut natural stone walls, veneers, steps and architectural features in Ontario limestone.Bricklayer$3,000 - $30,000New brickwork for additions, infill homes and garages, laid to OBC Part 9 and matched to what is already there.Masonry Restoration$8,000 - $80,000Whole-facade restoration of Victorian and Edwardian brick: survey, structural repairs, brick replacement, repointing and sign-off.Heritage Masonry$5,000 - $85,000Conservation-grade brick, mortar and stone work for designated, listed and Heritage Conservation District properties.Foundation Repair$3,000 - $40,000Stabilization and repair of bowing, settling and leaking foundation walls, with a 24-hour water response.Concrete Repair$800 - $15,000Repair of spalled, scaled and cracked concrete walls, slabs and walkways with freeze-thaw rated mixes.Concrete Resurfacing$4,000 - $25,000Polymer-modified overlays and decorative finishes that renew sound but worn concrete without tearing it out.Jewelstone$8,000 - $40,000A seamless natural stone overlay for pool decks, patios and walkways that stays cool and grips underfoot.Polished Concrete$4,000 - $80,000Multi-stage diamond grinding and densifying for durable, low-maintenance commercial floors.Microcement$6,000 - $35,000Hand-troweled, grout-free microcement finishes for bathrooms, floors and feature walls.Concrete Pool Repair$3,000 - $25,000Repair of cracked pool decks, loose coping and failed expansion joints after Toronto winters.Interlocking Stonework$8,000 - $35,000Interlocking driveways, patios and walkways built on a properly excavated and compacted base.Stucco$3,000 - $25,000Traditional cement and acrylic stucco for exteriors and interiors, including crack repair and recoats.Brick Painting + Coating$4,000 - $30,000Breathable paint, limewash and protective coatings on brick, applied only after repairs and repointing.
How It Works

How It Works in Five Simple Steps

Five steps, every one in writing. You know the price before you sign and you only pay for stages that are done.

  1. 1

    Call or Form

    24-hour callback

    Call (647) 277-2003 or send the form. We call back within 24 hours during business hours, and the emergency line is answered around the clock.

  2. 2

    Site Visit

    Within 48 hours

    We walk the property, fly the chimney by drone where needed and scan damp walls with infrared moisture detection.

  3. 3

    Written CAD Quote

    24 hours after the visit

    A fixed-price quote on letterhead, every line item written out, with BCIN, heritage and permit needs flagged up front.

  4. 4

    Contract + 5-Stage Draws

    You sign when ready

    Fixed price, 5-stage draw schedule and insurance and WSIB documents shared at signing. No change orders without written approval.

  5. 5

    Build + Sign-Off

    Scaffold to final

    Scaffold, structural, finishing, pointing and final sign-off, with a clean site every evening and the 10-year warranty in writing.

Book Your Free Site Visit Before Next Winter

No obligation. You get a fixed-price written quote, a 10-year workmanship warranty and $5M liability cover before any scaffold goes up.

Request a Free Site Visit Call (647) 277-2003
Why Toronto Elite Masonry

Why Bungalow Owners Choose Our Masons

  • Cast-in-place crowns that outlast the original mortar wash
  • Parging done over an infrared moisture scan and bonding membrane
  • Trenchless injection for leaking foundation cracks
  • Veneer repairs with tie checks after nearby excavation
  • Written CAD quote within 24 hours of the site visit
  • 10-year warranty, $5M liability and WSIB clearance
Project Examples

Recent Local Masonry Projects

Safe-generic examples. We never publish client addresses.

New cast-in-place chimney crown on a North York bungalow

Chimney crown rebuild

$6,000

Cracked mortar-wash crown on a postwar bungalow replaced with a cast-in-place concrete crown with overhang and drip edge, plus new counter flashing.

Chimney Repair
  1. 1

    Chimney crown rebuild $6K

    A cracked mortar-wash crown on a postwar bungalow was replaced with a cast-in-place crown with overhang and drip edge, and new counter flashing.

  2. 2

    Bungalow foundation reparged Infrared scanned

    After an infrared moisture scan, failed parging was stripped to sound block and rebuilt over an acrylic bonding membrane in two coats.

  3. 3

    Brick veneer repair after infill excavation Shared lot line

    Excavation for a new house next door cracked the side wall veneer. We assessed the ties, rebuilt the cracked section and documented the work for the insurers.

Proven Results Across Toronto

What Our Customers Say

"Water was coming through a basement crack on a Sunday night. They were here in under four hours, injected the crack the next morning and the basement has stayed dry through two storms since."
Grace L.North York$2.4KEmergency Foundation Crack Injection
"We wanted to paint our tired 1920s brick and expected a contractor to just roll it. Instead Toronto Elite told us which bricks were already spalling, replaced them, repointed the worst joints and recommended a breathable limewash rather than latex paint so the wall could still dry out. They showed us test patches in two tones before committing. Two years in, no peeling and no new spalls, and the house looks the way we pictured it."
Tom G.Riverdale$7.2KBrick Repair + Limewash Coating
"Front steps were crumbling after 40 winters. Full stone step rebuild with hand-cut Credit Valley limestone. Marty's crew hit every detail, zero cracks after 18 months."
Priya and Dev M.The Beaches$14KNatural Stone Steps + Porch Rebuild
Local Expertise

Postwar Bungalows + Modern Infill, Both Covered

North York is mostly postwar. Don Mills, announced in 1953 and built out by 1965 to a Macklin Hancock plan, became the model for the brick bungalows and side-splits that filled Willowdale, Bayview Village and Downsview.

That shared age is why whole streets need the same work at once: original chimney crowns are 60 to 70 years old, parging is letting go, and infill excavation next door cracks older veneer. Reconstructing a chimney needs a City building permit, which we file, while a crown replacement or repointing usually does not.

With Highway 401 and the Don Valley Parkway at hand, crews reach homes by Fairview Mall or Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre inside our 48-hour site-visit window.

The Housing Stock We Work On

Postwar bungalows (1950s-60s) in Willowdale, Downsview and Bayview Village have single-flue chimneys with thin mortar-wash crowns, and poured or block foundations finished with parging at grade. Both are now at end of life.

Side-splits and back-splits (1960s-70s) in Don Mills and Armour Heights have more brick veneer, brick planters and exterior steps that heave.

Lawrence Park and York Mills have older and larger homes from the 1920s-40s, some with heritage interest, built in better brick with more complex chimneys.

Modern infill homes use brick and stone veneer over wood frame. New builds next door are a common cause of cracked veneer on older houses.

On-Site Logistics

Wide Lots + Driveways: How We Stage

Lots here are wider than downtown and most houses have driveways, which makes staging straightforward. The challenges are age and neighbours.

  • Whole-street wear. Houses built the same year tend to fail the same way. If your neighbour's crown just failed, yours is likely close.
  • Infill next door. Deep excavation for new homes can shift shallow footings and crack veneer. We document conditions and repair properly.
  • Roof access. Low-slope bungalow roofs make crown work quick and safe.
  • Response time. Site visit within 48 hours; emergency on-site within 4 hours.
Permits + Approvals

Heritage + Permits on Postwar Streets

Most North York homes are not heritage properties. Don Mills, as an early planned community, and Lawrence Park have recognized heritage interest, and some homes are designated. Where Heritage Preservation review applies, our expeditor handles it. On most jobs here the key permit question is structural: chimney rebuilds and foundation repairs may need a building permit and BCIN review.

Seasonal Notes for Bungalow Masonry. Crown failures show up after the first winters of heavy freeze-thaw, and leaks around the chimney usually appear with spring rain. Parging comes loose as frost leaves the ground in April. Book crowns and parging from spring through fall; emergency work runs year-round.
Getting Here

Local Landmarks + Access Routes

Highway 401, the Don Valley Parkway, Allen Road and Highway 404 put every street within reach, with Line 1 and Line 4 stations from Downsview Park to Don Mills.

Landmarks on Our Regular Routes

  • Fairview Mall
  • Yorkdale Shopping Centre
  • Bayview Village Shopping Centre
  • Shops at Don Mills
  • Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre
  • Mel Lastman Square
Highways + Main Roads
Highway 401, Don Valley Parkway, Allen Road, Highway 404
Transit
Sheppard-Yonge station, North York Centre station, Don Mills station, Downsview Park station
Open in Google Maps
Local Questions

North York Masonry Questions

What does a chimney crown replacement cost in North York?

Crown replacement on a typical postwar bungalow runs about $2,500 to $6,000. A recent cast-in-place crown rebuild with new counter flashing was $6,000.

My neighbour is building a new house. What if it cracks my wall?

Call us early. We can document the condition of your wall before excavation starts, and if cracking happens we assess the ties and footing, repair the veneer and provide a written report for the insurers.

How long does bungalow parging last?

Parging done properly, over a dry substrate with a bonding membrane and in multiple coats, should last decades. Parging troweled over a damp wall can fail within two winters, which is why we scan with infrared moisture detection first.

Do you handle basement leaks?

Yes. Leaking foundation cracks are usually sealed from inside with trenchless injection in a single visit. For sudden water we respond within 4 hours using Highway 401 and the Don Valley Parkway.

Which North York neighbourhoods do you cover?

All of them, including Willowdale, Don Mills, Bayview Village, Lawrence Park, York Mills, Armour Heights and Downsview.

Do I need a permit for chimney work on a bungalow?

Crown replacement and repointing usually do not. The City lists installing or reconstructing a chimney as work that needs a building permit, so full rebuilds and many liner changes do, and we handle the permit and any BCIN review.

Nearby Areas

Also Serving Near North York

Neighbouring areas we serve without a dedicated page:

All Service Areas
24-hour emergency chimney + foundation response

Fix Your Chimney or Foundation in North York

Site visit within 48 hours, a written CAD quote on letterhead 24 hours after, and 4-hour emergency response when something cannot wait.

Request a Free Site Visit Call (647) 277-2003
  • BCIN stamped where required
  • $5M liability + WSIB
  • 10-year workmanship warranty
Call (647) 277-2003Request Site Visit