About Chimney Fire Damage Repair
A chimney fire is the creosote lining a flue catching alight. The fire can burn fast and loud, with a roar like a freight train and flames or sparks shooting from the top, or slowly and quietly, unnoticed until the next inspection. Temperatures in either case can be far above what the flue was built to handle, and the damage often sits deep inside the chimney where nobody can see it from the room.
Clay tile liners crack when one side heats much faster than the other. Mortar joints between tiles open, letting heat and gases reach the brick. Dampers warp, caps distort, and creosote can turn into a puffy, honeycomb-like layer that partly blocks the flue. Heat can also travel through the masonry to nearby framing, which is why fire damage inspection includes the attic and the walls around the chimney, not only the flue itself.
Repairing fire damage depends on what the heat did. Cracked tiles usually mean relining, since individual tiles cannot be replaced in a standing chimney. Damaged dampers and caps are swapped. Brick and mortar that cracked from the heat may need repointing or a partial rebuild. A good repair also documents the damage clearly, which helps with an insurance claim, and leaves the chimney safe to use again.
What Our Crew Does
- Flue swept to remove remaining creosote so the walls can be seen
- Flue tiles checked from top to bottom for cracks and gaps
- Damper, smoke chamber and firebox checked for heat damage
- Cap and crown checked for distortion and cracking
- Attic and walls near the chimney checked for heat marks
- Damage documented with descriptions for your records and insurer
- Repairs listed separately in a written estimate
When to Call Us
- A roaring or rumbling sound from the chimney during a fire
- Puffy, flaky creosote that looks like honeycomb
- Pieces of flue tile in the firebox or on the roof
- A warped damper or a discolored cap
- Burned bits of debris found in the yard after a fire
How the Job Goes
- Stop using it
Leave the fireplace or stove cold until the flue has been checked from top to bottom.
- Inspect the damage
We check the flue tiles, liner, damper, cap, crown and the masonry around the chimney.
- Write it up
You get what we found and a free written estimate, with each repair listed separately.
- Repair and reline
Our crew replaces what the fire damaged, which can include a new liner, damper or cap.
Your Options
A new liner run inside the old flue, used when tiles are cracked. The most common repair after a chimney fire.
A poured lining that seals cracks and adds strength. Suits flues with heavy damage where stainless steel is not the right fit.
The damaged top section taken down and relaid when heat cracked the brick above the roof.
New parts where the heat warped or melted the old ones.
What Affects the Cost
- How much of the flue is cracked
- Liner type and chimney height
- Whether the damper, cap or crown also need replacing
- Masonry repairs above or below the roof
- Framing or clearance repairs found near the chimney
- Documentation needed for an insurance claim
Every job starts with a free written estimate, so you know the price before we start.
When It Cannot Wait
- During a chimney fire: get everyone out and call 911
- After a fire: do not light the fireplace or stove again until it has been checked
- Smoke smell or warmth in walls near the chimney after the fire
- Cracks in walls, ceilings or exterior brick that appeared after the fire
Make It Last
- Have the chimney swept when deposits build up, so creosote cannot accumulate
- Burn dry, split hardwood and avoid smoldering fires
- Keep a working smoke alarm and carbon monoxide alarm on every floor
- Book an inspection every year, as NFPA 211 calls for
Questions About Chimney Fire Damage Repair
How do I know if I had a chimney fire?
Does it need an inspection if nothing looks wrong?
Can a damaged clay flue be repaired?
The fire department already came. Do I still need an inspection?
Can my findings help with an insurance claim?
Why did a chimney fire happen if I had the chimney swept?
Guides From Our Crew
How Do You Know If Your Chimney Is on Fire?A loud roar like a freight train or low-flying plane, sharp popping and cracking, thick dark smoke, and sparks or flames shooting from the top are the classic signs of a chimney fire.
Chimney Fire: What to Do Right NowLeave the house first, then call 911 from outside and say you think the chimney is on fire.
Does Homeowners Insurance Cover a Chimney Fire?A chimney fire is a sudden event, and many homeowners policies include fire coverage, but whether yours pays for chimney fire damage depends on its wording and on the insurer's review.
What Happens If a Chimney Flue Tile Is Cracked?A cracked flue tile breaks the inner wall that keeps heat and exhaust inside the chimney.
The 3 Stages of Creosote, Including Glazed CreosoteSweeps sort creosote into three stages by how it looks and how hard it is to remove.
Can a Chimney Liner Be Repaired?Repair works when the damage is limited and the rest of the flue is sound and correctly sized.
Why homeowners call Pro 1
18,000+ Chimney Jobs. One Standard.
15+ years and 18,000+ chimney jobs taught us what homeowners want: a crew that shows up, explains it plainly and leaves the house as clean as they found it.
$500 OFF any chimney service
- Our own local crews
The people at your door work for us and live in the area. We never send subcontractors.
- Licensed and insured
Your home and our crew are covered on every job, from a sweep to a full rebuild.
- Free written estimate
You see what we found and what it takes to fix it, in writing, before any work starts.
- Upfront pricing
The price we write down is the price you pay. No hidden fees and no surprise add-ons.
- Fast response
Open 24 hours Sunday to Friday, with a real person on the phone and same-day visits when we can.
- Clean, careful work
Floors and furniture covered, the roof and yard cleaned up, and a walk-through when we finish.

Limited time offer
$500 OFF
Any chimney service. Mention it when you call or book online.

Simple from the first call
How It Works
- Your callCall, text or book online
Tell us what you see or smell. A real person from our team answers and sets a time that suits you.
- The visitFree chimney inspection
Our own crew arrives in a marked Pro 1 van, covers the floor and inspects the chimney from the firebox to the cap, free of charge.
- The estimateFree written estimate
We walk you through what we found, in plain words, and put any repair in writing before work starts.
- The workThe job, done right
We do the work, clean up the roof, the yard and the room, and walk you through the finished job.
Book before the holidays. Fireplaces get their heaviest use from Thanksgiving to New Year. A free inspection now catches nests, creosote and cracked flue tiles before the first big fire and the family gatherings.
Book My Free InspectionGet a Free Estimate
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