How Much Does Chimney Repair Cost?

Chimney Repair Cost

Repairing a chimney costs between $160 to $750, or an average of $455. A simple chimney repair can cost as low as $90 and as much as $1,800. Compare estimates from local chimney repair pros for the best price.

Chimney repairs range greatly in scope, from general maintenance to major issues like leaning chimneys. What you’ll pay depends on many factors including the scope of repair, the part of your chimney that needs repair, and your chimney’s material.

Average Chimney Repair Cost

Common Chimney Problems

Chimney Crown Replacement Cost

You’ll pay anywhere between $220 and $2,000 to replace the chimney crown. Cracks that form in the crown can be particularly costly if left unrepaired. Water can get into the cracks and cause significant damage to mortar, bricks, and even the wooden frame of your house. Eventually, these cracks will compromise the integrity of your chimney and fireplace, requiring a total replacement or removal. This can cost thousands of dollars. As such, it’s to your benefit to repair or replace the crown as soon as there’s a problem.

Chimney Chase Cover or Cap Replacement Cost

Expect to pay $150 to $200 with installation for a new chimney cover. The cover (sometimes called a cap) protects your flue and is at the very top of the chimney.

Chimney Flue Repair Cost

Repairing a single flue tile will likely cost no more than $200 if it’s easily accessible. Fixing cracked tiles in your flue costs anywhere from $65 to $100 per square foot. However, repairing a cracked flue liner is only a temporary solution. Eventually, it will need replacing.

Installing a chimney flue liner costs most homeowners $2,500, but could cost as much as $7,000. Relining your flue costs between $2,500 and $5,000.

Leaking Chimney Repair Cost

Fixing a leaking chimney costs $150 to $350. Water can get in through cracks and cause damage in the form of mold and wood rot. These cracks are usually at the roofline when flashing and sealers fail and allow rainwater to seep inside. Here are some ways to repair a leaking chimney:

• Chimney sealing ($180-$350): Cracks are sealed with mortar.

• Chimney flashing ($200-$350): Metal is installed where the chimney and roof meet as added protection against water infiltration.

  • If it doesn’t need replacing, repairing flashing costs anywhere from $20 and $120.

Leaning Chimney Repair Cost

Leaning chimneys typically cost $3,000 to fix. Oftentimes, a leaning or tilted chimney stack indicates an issue with the foundation. A contractor will find out if it’s a foundation issue by checking whether or not the chimney has level horizontal mortar joints.

Cracked Chimney Repair Cost

While fixing small cracks may cost less than $500, deeper cracks or those that affect a large area could reach up to $1,500.

Chimney Repair Costs by Material

The material your chimney is made of will affect your final repair cost.

Brick Chimney Repair Cost

Repairing brick chimneys costs $175 to $1,000 on average. More extensive damage could run upwards of $4,000 and a total chimney replacement is about $10,000.

Keep in mind, some contractors may charge more for projects above 10 feet. Brick chimney work might cost less if the location for repairs is closer to the ground.

Stucco Chimney Repair Cost

The price to repair stucco is between $570 and $1,920, but more extensive projects can run as high as $4,200. Fixing a stucco chimney ranges from $1,000 to $4,000.

Metal Chimney Repair Cost

It will typically cost between $200 and $1,200 to repair a metal chimney. This material is highly durable but can dent during major storms. If you just need to replace the flashing on a metal chimney, this will typically cost around $300.

Prefabricated Chimney Repair Cost

A prefabricated chimney will cost you about $200 to $1,200, as they are typically made of metal and share the same repair costs. This price range reflects a general range for minor issues to severe damage.

Other Chimney Repair Costs

Chimney Crack Repair Cost

Expect to pay $175 to $3,000 to repair a chimney crack. Masonry joints expand and contract with temperature fluctuation. This can lead to cracks forming and allowing smoke, carbon monoxide, and sometimes even stray embers to get between your walls our out of the chimney and onto your roof.

Cracks will most often form at corners before they form anywhere else. However, cracks in the middle of the back of a fireplace aren’t uncommon. If found early enough, simple brick mortar repair can resolve the issue. If left untreated, they can lead to structural damage, increased risk of fire, and can cost upwards of around $3,000 to repair.

Chimney Wood Rot Repair Cost

Depending on how extensive the wood rot is, you could pay a few hundred dollars or several thousand. If the damage is confined to one spot that’s easy to access, you might only pay $100 to $300. A bigger area of wood rot might cost $2,500 to $4,000 to fix. If wood rot is too far gone, expect to replace your chimney for $10,000.

HeatShield Chimney Repair Cost

Sealing your chimney with HeatShield is typically between $2,500 and $3,500. Price estimates vary based on location and how extensive the project is.

Cost to Parge Chimney

Chimney parging coats the smoke chamber with mortar and costs $1,000 to $2,000. Parging smooths over the smoke chamber so that any residue that lies in uneven crevices doesn’t leak out or combust.

Missing Bricks (Chimney Spalling) Repair Cost

Does your chimney have broken or missing bricks? If so, that’s an example of chimney spalling and it costs around $1,000 to fix. While that might seem steep for just a few missing bricks, spalling, when left untreated, leads to significant damage that can cost $3,000 or more. Since bricks rely on mortar and surrounding bricks to stay in place, spalling makes it easy for other bricks to deteriorate.

One important note: If your chimney needs any type of repair, you should hold off on using your fireplace until it’s fixed. Using your fireplace could worsen the damage and put your safety at risk.

Cost to Repoint a Chimney

Repointing brick costs $700 to $2,200. The mortar between bricks wears down over time; repointing repairs the mortar to prevent your chimney from collapsing.

Average Cost to Tuckpoint a Chimney

Similar to repointing, tuckpointing a chimney ranges from $700 to $2,200. While repointing removes and repairs the mortar, tuckpointing is the process of filling in mortar and making it aesthetically appealing. This involves blending in the mortar to match with the bricks. While repointing and tuckpointing are technically different, they’re often lumped into the same service. Talk to a fireplace contractor near you for an estimate on repointing or tuckpointing your chimney.

Cost to Re-Mortar Chimney

Grout and mortar cost about $2 to $3 per square foot, plus at least $40 to $50 per hour in labor. The exact price depends on the size of your chimney. Even if the mortar of your chimney is crumbling, you might not need to buy new bricks. Re-mortaring could save you money by reusing bricks.

Chimney Cleaning & Maintenance Costs

When it comes to cleaning and maintaining your chimney, annual visits from a chimney sweep are key.

Chimney Cleaning Costs

You can expect to pay around $250 for the cost of a chimney sweep, with simple cleanings ranging from $80 to $200. Aim to schedule cleanings at least annually for safety and to cut costs later. You could pay around $800 to clean a neglected chimney.

Chimney Inspection Costs

If you’re keeping up with your cleanings and there are no major issues, you may only need a level one inspection, which is typically included in the cost of cleaning. A level two inspection, which you’ll need before some repairs and updates, will typically run you $100 to $500.

For major structural damage, you’ll need a level three chimney inspection, which runs from $1,000 to $5,000.

FAQs

How much does chimney flashing repair cost?

Chimney flashing repair costs $20 to $120.

Does homeowners’ insurance cover chimney repair?

Homeowners' insurance will only cover chimney repair if it’s the result of an unexpected event. If your chimney experiences damage from a tornado, lightning strike, or another weather-related incident, insurance should cover it. With that in mind, it’s unlikely that damage from high winds will be covered. Insurance also won’t cover routine inspections or general repairs.

Should I remove or repair my chimney?

This decision will depend on the extent of the damage and your budget. If you’re only dealing with a minor issue, chimney repair is usually your best bet. However, if there is extensive damage or you want a new look, you may want to take on the cost of removing a chimney.

Is a cracked chimney dangerous?

Cracked chimneys pose a threat to your house and your safety. Moisture seeps into the cracks and causes further cracking. A cracked chimney that’s not repaired quickly can collapse and damage part of your house or increase the chances of fire.

Smoke is coming inside my house. What repair do I need?

This problem could have a few roots, including issues with your draft fan and your damper. The best way to get to the bottom of it is to call in a chimney repair pro.

How much does chimney restoration cost?

Restoring a chimney costs anywhere from $300 to $4,000. The price varies based on how complex a project is.