When it's your chimney in question, always rely on a licensed pro
There are many signs your chimney needs some TLC: unpleasant smells, water coming through your fireplace, or difficulty keeping a fire lit and burning. A broken chimney is dangerous, as it could quickly become a fire risk. But it’s also costly thanks to higher energy bills because your air conditioning may be escaping at a quicker rate than normal, causing your central air unit to work overtime. So don’t delay in finding out who to call for chimney repairs. A chimney repair professional will have the knowledge, accreditation, and insurance to make sure your home is safe and working efficiently.
Chimney repair requires a good amount of dexterity and physical strength, especially if your chimney is made of brick and mortar or stucco. A local chimney repair professional will know how to safely assess any damage to your chimney liner and the masonry around it.
Aside from masonry knowledge to ensure your chimney is structurally sound, a chimney mason will also know about venting systems and roofing so that the chimney is safely integrated with your home.
Chimney repair pros will follow the National Fire Protection Association’s (NFPA) specialized codes for how chimneys, fireplaces, vents, and fuel-burning appliances should operate within your home. For example, after an inspection, a chimney pro may recommend parging your chimney to smooth out any cracks in the masonry in accordance with NFPA guidelines. Without their expertise (along with a license and insurance), you may face serious consequences, like accidents on the job or house fires resulting from improper repairs.
If you notice issues like cracked bricks, crumbling stucco, leaks, or drafts, it’s time to call a pro. Depending on what type of chimney and liner you have, you may have to replace the chimney liner or masonry every 15 to 50 years.
Because chimney repairs require specialized knowledge and training, a lot could go wrong if you’re unfamiliar with the parts of a chimney. The average cost for chimney repairs is around $455, which seems insignificant compared to a possible mistake when trying to do it yourself. Simple repairs, like minor chimney repointing, take a professional only a few hours. If a more serious repair is needed, such as a full chimney rebuild, it may take a crew of professionals and a few days’ time, depending on the damage.
You can usually hire a roofing company for chimney repair, as many will have a chimney expert on staff. But if you’re only calling to repair the chimney and don’t have roofing work for them to do as well, they may recommend you go with a local chimney or masonry company that specializes in chimney repair.
In general, a roofer can:
Repoint a chimney
Replace flashing
Add a new crown
A roofer cannot:
Rebuild a compromised chimney
Install new liners
Clean the inside of your chimney
A chimney pro will start by inspecting the full chimney, both inside and outside of the structure. According to the Chimney Safety Institute of America, this is called a Level 1 inspection. Depending on what they find, your chimney service technician may need to move to a Level 2 inspection, which means using a camera to check all the surfaces for any obstructions or cracks.
If your chimney repair person finds something wrong within a Level 2 inspection, they will likely start to remove portions of your chimney, like the crown, to see inside and identify the hazard more clearly. Once your pro can fully assess what’s wrong, they’ll know what they need to repair your chimney, whether that’s installing a new liner or rebuilding a damaged portion of the structure.
