1880s-1930s
Village-core late Victorian and bungalow
Some of the oldest chimneys in the Northwest Suburbs exist in older Arlington Heights neighborhoods. Type N (ASTM C270) lime-rich mortar is required for historic-brick compatibility.
Service area · Cook County
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One of the largest Northwest Suburbs villages. Arlington Heights blends 19th-century origins with extensive postwar and modern growth.
60004Primary ZIPs
75,000+Arlington Heights residents
Since 1887City incorporated
WrittenRepair scope
Written scope
NFPA 211 reference
Water-entry review
ASTM C270 Mortar
About this city
Arlington Heights chimneys, by the numbers
Arlington Heights was incorporated in 1887 and houses approximately 75,000 residents primarily in Cook County, with a small portion in Lake County. It is one of the largest villages in the Northwest Suburbs.
Housing stock spans late-1800s and early-1900s village-core homes through extensive postwar 1940s through 1970s construction and continuing custom infill. The Arlington Heights Building & Life Safety department governs structural permits.
Arlington Heights fast facts
- Incorporated
- 1887
- Population
- 75,000+
- County
- Cook County
- ZIP
- 60004, 60005
- Main corridors
- Northwest Highway, Arlington Heights Road, Dundee Road
- Building authority
- Arlington Heights Building & Life Safety
By era
Common Arlington Heights chimney problems by housing era
Each architectural period in Arlington Heights has predictable chimney failure modes after enough decades of weather. Here is what to look for.
1930s-1950s
Cape Cod and Colonial Revival
Center-of-roof chimneys with heavy postwar use show creosote-glazed flue tile and crown cracks. Annual NFPA 211 Level 1 inspection plus crown sealing is the right cadence for this stock in Arlington Heights.
1950s-1970s
Ranch and split-level
Side-of-house exterior chimneys take maximum freeze-thaw exposure. In Arlington Heights mortar joints and flashing fail before the brick itself. Repointing on a 30 to 40 year cadence is normal for this stock.
1960s-1980s
Mid-century split-level and contemporary
Multi-elevation roofs in Arlington Heights's mid-century stock create complex flashing geometry around chimney penetrations. Flashing failures are the most common source of interior water damage that homeowners trace to the chimney.
Decision aid
Repair or replace, how we decide
Most Arlington Heights chimneys can be repaired rather than replaced. The decision usually comes down to four structural questions answered on site.
Repair when
- Mortar joints are deteriorated but the brick itself is sound
- Crown is cracked but the underlying structure holds plumb
- Cap is rusted or missing but flue tile is intact
- Flashing leaks but the chimney has no settlement cracking
Replace when
- Brick is spalling across more than 30 percent of the chimney face
- The chimney is leaning, settling, or pulling away from the house
- Flue tile is cracked, displaced, or missing in multiple places
- Internal liner has corroded through and chimney is unlined
Local services
What we do in Arlington Heights
The full residential service catalog, dispatched from our Park Ridge office to Arlington Heights addresses.
On the map
Arlington Heights, IL
USDA Zone 6a; inland Cook County climate with 30 to 40 freeze-thaw cycles per winter.
Arlington Heights FAQs
Questions from Arlington Heights homeowners
Arlington Heights is approximately 20 to 30 minutes drive from our Park Ridge office. Inquiries received during business hours are typically returned within two hours and inspection windows are usually available within one to two business days. Active leaks should be called in directly to (847) 685-1043 for priority dispatch.
The Arlington Heights Building & Life Safety department requires permits for structural chimney rebuilds, full chimney replacements, and changes that alter the flue path. Routine repairs such as tuckpointing, crown sealing, cap replacement, and cleaning generally do not require a permit. We pull and manage permits on permit-required jobs.
Arlington Heights spans more eras than most Northwest Suburbs. Older homes need historic-mortar matching. Postwar ranches need flashing and tuckpointing. Newer custom homes need annual NFPA 211 inspection.
Yes. Arlington Heights has substantial village-core late-Victorian and bungalow housing stock that requires lime-rich Type N mortar (ASTM C270) for repointing and crown rebuilds. Mismatching with modern Portland-heavy mortar damages original brick within 5 to 10 years. We match mortar by sample on historic homes.
Delta Chimneys dispatches every Arlington Heights chimney job from our Park Ridge headquarters. We are not a national franchise or call-center operator. The crew that quotes the job is the crew that does the work, every time.
Also nearby
We work the cities next door, too.
Our crews dispatch the same way to these neighbors.
Local dispatch
Need chimney or fireplace work in Arlington Heights?
Tell us the issue and an inspection window that works.