Proudly American
Identify the substrate and the purpose
A masonry treatment concerns the material to which it is applied. It is not the same scope as replacing a metal chase cover or repairing the roof junction. Ask the proposal to identify the surface and the specific purpose of the treatment. Factory-built system requirements should not be inferred from advice about brick.
Ask about preparation and existing defects
Request an explanation of any repairs that need to precede treatment, the condition of existing coatings and the areas excluded. A water-repellent product does not by itself establish that an open joint, damaged crown or other defect has been corrected. The estimate should make that distinction visible.
Do not choose a coating by the word waterproof
CSIA cautions against non-vapor-permeable coatings that can trap moisture in masonry. The appropriate material must be selected for the actual application. Do not apply household paint or a generic sealer to the chimney because its package mentions rain resistance.
Keep the leak question separate from the finish question
If water is entering your Fort Myers home, describe the symptom and ask what evidence ties it to the masonry surface. If the source remains uncertain, request further assessment before treating a coating as the entire repair. Keep the product and scope details with the maintenance record.