Chimney Repairs

Constant smoking problems are often the easiest to diagnose while being the hardest to correct. Below are common design problems which may lead to smoking problems:

Damper is Closed
Check to see if the damper is open or functioning properly. More people overlook this than you might think

Inadequate Air Supply
Open a window or door as close to the fireplace as possible. If the smoking lessens or stops when the door or window is open, the problem is inadequate air supply.

The Chimney Flue is Obstructed
Extinguish the fire and look for obstructions. Birds nests are commonly found in chimneys and may often be large enough to restrict flow. Soot and creosote can plug or restrict the airflow of others. If the chimney is older, fallen brick or mortar may be obstructing the flue. Any obstructions must be removed. A blocked chimney is a fire hazard and should never be used until completely cleaned and inspected. Chimneys blocked as a result of structural failure should be condemned and rebuilt.

Improper Construction or Design
It is possible that a masonry chimney was poorly designed. If your fireplace consistently smokes and none of the ideas presented above work, it may be that your chimney has design flaws. Please contact our office about this.

Do you have water dripping from the chimney down into the fireplace?

One of the most common reasons for dripping to occur in the chimney is from a damaged crown on top of a masonry chimney. This crown could be cracked or chipped, allowing water to penetrate it. The issue is typically experienced in older homes, especially those built before the 1980’s. Crowns before this time were often sloshed together using surplus mortar. This practice makes them more susceptible to cracks and so they deteriorate more quickly.

Are Cracks, Loose Bricks, or Missing Mortar Putting Your Chimney at Risk?

Vermont's freeze-thaw cycles can take a serious toll on chimney masonry. Over time, moisture can penetrate small cracks and mortar joints, causing bricks to deteriorate and structural issues to develop.

Professional masonry repairs help restore the integrity of your chimney, prevent further damage, and extend the life of the entire system. From tuckpointing and brick replacement to chimney crown repairs, we'll help protect your investment and keep your chimney performing at its best.

When a chimney has physical problems or performance issues (like backdrafting), one potential solution is installing a stainless steel chimney liner.

Since rebuilding a masonry chimney would be significantly more expensive, a liner is often the most cost-effective approach. Because they are often sold with long-term warranties, investing in a quality chimney liner pays off off in the long term.

There are different styles of liners–stainless steel, metal bestos, insulated, rigid, insulated, etc–and a time and a place for each of them. We have a tremendous amount of knowledge about the lining systems and we can help you find the right fit for you.

Want An Attractive Way To Keep the Rain & Critters Out of Your Chimney?

Without a cap, rain, snow, and ice can fall directly into the flue. As temperatures fluctuate throughout the winter, this water freezes and thaws, causing damage to interior chimney walls. Over time, cracks form in the chimney lining. If untreated, these cracks may spread to the masonry itself, compromising the integrity of the whole chimney structure.

Birds and rodents love to nest in chimneys—a few twigs, a handful of leaves, and pretty soon you’ve got a nice critter condo in your chimney. Nests clog up flues, causing smoke to back-up into your home and putting you at risk of a chimney fire.

Stop the infiltration and protect your chimney from moisture with chimney caps.

Many chimney problems begin as minor issues before becoming more serious. Common warning signs include cracked or missing mortar, deteriorating bricks, water stains around the fireplace, damaged chimney caps, rusted components, white staining on masonry (efflorescence), or pieces of masonry collecting near the base of the chimney.

If you notice any of these signs, it's a good idea to schedule an assessment before the damage worsens.

Yes. Water is one of the leading causes of chimney deterioration. Moisture can enter through damaged chimney crowns, flashing, masonry joints, or missing chimney caps.

Over time, water intrusion can lead to cracked bricks, deteriorating mortar, rusted components, interior leaks, and costly structural damage. Addressing water-related issues early can help prevent more extensive repairs.

The timeline depends on the type and extent of the repair. Minor repairs such as replacing a chimney cap or repairing flashing may be completed in a single visit, while masonry restoration or larger structural repairs may take several days.

After evaluating your chimney, we'll provide a clear understanding of the recommended work and expected timeline.

That depends on the condition of the chimney. Many issues can be resolved through targeted repairs, such as tuckpointing, crown repair, flashing replacement, or masonry restoration. However, if significant structural deterioration is present, a partial or full rebuild may be the safest and most cost-effective long-term solution.

Our team will explain all available options and recommend the approach that best protects your home and investment.

Sometimes things happen, we understand and will try to accommodate your scheduling needs. In the event that you can reschedule, then we will gladly apply your deposit to the job at the rescheduled time.

However, if you have placed a deposit on a repair project and you are completely cancelling the project, there may have to be a charge to cover costs incurred to get the project setup. There are administrative, job site and materials costs that we usually absorb in our pricing when you do the work with us. When you cancel and don’t reschedule, these costs cannot be absorbed. We regret this but without treating you fairly and asking you to pay what your project rightfully used of our time and resources, we would then have to unfairly try to pass that along to other customers who don’t deserve that additional charge.