The Value of Restoring Masonry on Century Homes in Toronto's East End.
Part 3 of 3: Services Homeowners Don't Know Top Roofers Offers
Most homeowners think of Top Roofers strictly as a roofing company. What many don't realize is that we also handle masonry, siding, and eavestrough work as part of a complete approach to protecting a home's exterior. In this final installment of our series on lesser-known services, we're turning to one of the most distinctive features of Toronto's east end housing stock: masonry.
A Different Kind of Housing Stock
Neighbourhoods like Leslieville, Riverdale, and the Beaches are home to a significant number of century-old properties, many built with solid brick construction, decorative stonework, and chimneys that have stood for well over a hundred years. These details are part of what gives these homes their character and, often, their market value. They also require a different kind of care than newer construction.
Masonry ages differently than most other exterior materials. It can look stable for decades and then deteriorate relatively quickly once moisture finds a way in, which is why regular assessment matters even when a wall or chimney appears fine at a glance.
Why Masonry on Older Homes Needs Attention
Mortar breaks down before brick does. On most century homes, the mortar between bricks is the first thing to fail, not the brick itself. As mortar erodes, it allows water into the wall assembly, which can lead to spalling brick, efflorescence, and in more advanced cases, structural instability.
Chimneys are especially vulnerable. Chimneys are exposed on all sides and sit at the highest point of the home, making them one of the hardest-working masonry elements on the property. A chimney with deteriorating mortar or damaged flashing at the roofline is a common source of leaks that are frequently misattributed to the roof itself.
Original materials are increasingly hard to match. Many century homes were built with brick and stone that are no longer manufactured. Restoration work on these properties often requires careful sourcing or custom matching to preserve the home's original appearance, rather than a straightforward material swap.
Masonry issues can affect roofing directly. Where a chimney meets the roof, or where a parapet wall interacts with roofing materials, deteriorating masonry can undermine flashing and create leak points that no amount of roof repair alone will resolve.
What Masonry Restoration Typically Involves
Depending on the condition of the structure, masonry restoration can include:
Repointing, which involves removing damaged mortar and replacing it with new mortar matched in composition and colour
Brick or stone replacement for sections that have spalled or cracked beyond repair
Chimney rebuilding above the roofline, including flashing integration where the chimney meets the roof
Waterproofing treatments suited to older, more porous masonry materials
Because this work often sits right at the roofline, particularly with chimneys, it benefits from being handled by a contractor who understands both masonry and roofing systems, rather than coordinating between two separate trades.
Restoration as a Value Decision, Not Just a Repair
For owners of century homes, masonry restoration is often as much about preserving value as it is about preventing damage. Original stonework and brick detailing are difficult to replicate and are a meaningful part of what distinguishes these properties in the current market. Addressing deterioration early, before it spreads or requires more invasive rebuilding, protects both the structure and the character that makes these homes desirable.
Bringing It All Together
Across this series, we've looked at three services that often surprise homeowners who know Top Roofers primarily for roofing: eavestrough maintenance, fascia repair, and masonry restoration. Individually, each protects a specific part of your home. Together, they reflect how we approach every property: as a connected exterior system, not a collection of separate jobs.
Whether it's a century home in Riverdale or a newly built property in Leaside, protecting what's above and around your roof is just as important as the roof itself. When it comes to preserving every detail of your home's exterior, Go for the TOP. Contact Top Roofers today to schedule a masonry assessment for your property.