Crumbling brick at the top of a chimney

Chimney Fire Damage Repair Near You

A chimney fire is creosote in the flue catching fire. Some roar loudly and throw sparks from the top. Others smolder quietly and nobody notices until the next sweep. Either way, the heat can crack flue tiles, warp the damper and damage the cap, so the chimney should be checked before the next fire is lit.

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

  1. Flue swept to remove remaining creosote so the walls can be seen
  2. Flue tiles checked from top to bottom for cracks and gaps
  3. Damper, smoke chamber and firebox checked for heat damage
  4. Cap and crown checked for distortion and cracking
  5. Attic and walls near the chimney checked for heat marks
  6. Damage documented with descriptions for your records and insurer
  7. 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

  1. Stop using it

    Leave the fireplace or stove cold until the flue has been checked from top to bottom.

  2. Inspect the damage

    We check the flue tiles, liner, damper, cap, crown and the masonry around the chimney.

  3. Write it up

    You get what we found and a free written estimate, with each repair listed separately.

  4. Repair and reline

    Our crew replaces what the fire damaged, which can include a new liner, damper or cap.

Your Options

Stainless steel relining

A new liner run inside the old flue, used when tiles are cracked. The most common repair after a chimney fire.

Cast-in-place lining

A poured lining that seals cracks and adds strength. Suits flues with heavy damage where stainless steel is not the right fit.

Partial rebuild

The damaged top section taken down and relaid when heat cracked the brick above the roof.

Damper and cap replacement

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?
Loud rumbling, a hot metallic smell, sparks or flames from the top, or afterwards, puffy creosote and cracked tiles. A quiet one may only show up at the next inspection.
Does it need an inspection if nothing looks wrong?
Yes. NFPA 211 calls for an inspection after an event, such as a chimney fire, that could have damaged the chimney. Cracked tiles are often out of sight.
Can a damaged clay flue be repaired?
Sometimes a few tiles can be repaired. When the damage runs through the flue, a stainless steel liner is the usual fix.
The fire department already came. Do I still need an inspection?
Yes. Firefighters put out the fire and make sure it has not spread into the house, but they do not usually inspect the flue tiles or the masonry for damage. Cracks inside the flue can let the next fire reach nearby wood. The national standard, NFPA 211, calls for an inspection after an event like this, before the chimney goes back into use.
Can my findings help with an insurance claim?
We write down what we found and list each repair separately, which gives your insurer a clear picture. Whether a claim is covered, and for how much, is between you and your insurance company. Many insurers ask for the inspection to be done before repairs start, so check with them first.
Why did a chimney fire happen if I had the chimney swept?
Creosote can build quickly when wood is wet, fires smolder for long periods or the flue runs cold. A sweep removes what is there, but the next deposits start forming with the next fire. Glazed creosote also resists brushing and can stay behind after a sweep. The way the fireplace is used between sweeps matters as much as the sweep.

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.

Tall brick chimney with a capSAVE$500 OFFANY SERVICE

Limited time offer

$500 OFF

Any chimney service. Mention it when you call or book online.

Mason working on a brick building from a lift
18,000+ projects completed by our own crew

Simple from the first call

How It Works

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. The estimateFree written estimate

    We walk you through what we found, in plain words, and put any repair in writing before work starts.

  4. 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.

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