Nothing exemplifies the cozy feeling of home quite like a fireplace. Whether you’re burning wood or natural gas, a fireplace provides you and your family with warmth, light and security — that is, until it stops functioning properly. Like anything in your home, a chimney can develop problems or become damaged through regular use. However, a damaged chimney is often more than a simple inconvenience. In fact, a chimney in need of repair can be dangerous and may even lead to uncontained fires or hazardous gases infiltrating your home.

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If you suspect there’s something wrong with your chimney, you should investigate the problem immediately. The quicker you repair a damaged chimney, the better; chimney problems can worsen dramatically in just a short period of time, increasing the potential for danger and upping repair costs.

Take a look below at some of the most common chimney repairs to determine your best course of action.

Cracked Chimney

One of the most common types of chimney problems is related to cracks in the chimney’s brick and mortar. While a well-constructed chimney can last 100 years or more, small cracks in the brick and mortar can cause significant problems if not addressed immediately.

A cracked chimney could signal a potential structural issue with the chimney itself, which could eventually cause the chimney to lean or collapse altogether. At the very least, a crack in a chimney means it’s not functioning properly and could cause smoke and toxic fumes like carbon monoxide to enter the home through the walls and ceiling.

If caught early, a small crack in a chimney’s brick and mortar is a fairly simple fix. According to This Old House, the cost to repair small cracks is between $150 and $500 (CAD 203 and CAD 677).

To fix larger cracks, bricks may need to be removed and replaced. Depending on the scope of the damage, repairs may cost $600 to $1,200 (CAD 812 to CAD 1,625) or more, based on data from HomeGuide.

Keep in mind that, if left unaddressed, a chimney crack will typically grow in size and lead to additional, more expensive repairs later.

Damaged Crown

The crown is one of the most important aspects of a properly functioning chimney. It works to protect the bricks and mortar of the chimney from the elements by keeping rain and other moisture from entering the flue. Generally made from concrete, the crown sits atop the chimney on the outside and endures all different types of weather conditions, from frigid rain to the hot summer sun.

Because crowns are the first line of defense against the elements, they're often damaged more frequently than other parts of a chimney. A crown can be damaged even while the rest of your chimney is working fine. It’s vital that you repair a chimney crown early because any crack decreases its ability to protect the more vulnerable aspects of your chimney.

Caught early, chimney crown repairs cost around $150 to $400 (CAD 203 to CAD 542). Untreated, a crack can spread and separate further, ultimately leading to the need for an entire crown replacement. Depending on its shape, size and accessibility, an entire chimney crown replacement can cost up to $3,000 (CAD 4,062).

Broken Flue Liner

The lining on the inner walls of a chimney is called a flue liner, which protects it and helps it perform properly. Most states’ fire codes require flue liners as they play an essential role in conveying combustible gases out of your home. These days, those liners are made of metal like aluminum or steel. However, many older homes have flue liners constructed out of clay tiles. Over time, these clay tiles will deteriorate and start to crack.

If the duct that carries toxic gases out of your home isn't functioning, it could be exposing you and your family to some pretty dangerous chemicals. A nonfunctioning flue could also be a major fire hazard.

If your home has a clay tile flue liner, it’s important to get it inspected at least once a year to make sure it’s in good shape. Repairing cracked clay tiles can cost roughly $250 to $1,000 (CAD 339 to CAD 1,354). But this is really only a temporary solution. Clay tiles will deteriorate over time, no matter what. This means you’ll eventually need to replace these tiles completely.

Relining the flue starts at around $900 (CAD 1,219), but depending on the size or shape of your chimney, you could pay upwards of $7,000 (CAD 9,479) if you have to fully replace it. Once you replace your flue with a metal one, however, you likely won’t need to do so again as long as you own the home.

Repointing or Rebuilding?

A neglected crack in the chimney’s brick and mortar can ultimately lead to severe structural damage, requiring either a repointing of the chimney or a complete rebuild.

To know whether you need to repoint or rebuild a portion of your chimney, first determine whether your existing chimney has any structural integrity left. For this, you'll likely want to call a professional chimney sweep to inspect the condition of your chimney.

Repointing

Repointing is when the existing mortar on your chimney is filled in and sealed. It’s often seen as a preventive measure to keep your chimney from deteriorating further and causing structural damage. If your chimney has the majority of its structural integrity, it may only be necessary to repoint it. The cost to repoint a chimney can run anywhere between $500 and $2,500 (CAD 677 and CAD 3,385), depending on the size and the extent of the damage.

Rebuilding

Sometimes a deteriorated chimney can’t be saved by repointing and must be rebuilt. That said, chimney rebuilds can take different forms. Often, it’s only the portion of the chimney exposed to the elements that needs rebuilding. In this case, a professional chimney repair service will rebuild your chimney from above the roofline. Here, the deteriorated portion of the chimney is carefully removed and rebuilt. The existing flashing — the metal at the seam of the chimney and the roof that keeps leaks at bay — will need to be replaced as well.

A partial rebuild of a chimney from the roofline up will cost anywhere from $1,000 to $3,500 (CAD 1,354 to CAD 4,739). In the event a complete rebuild is necessary, it could cost between $4,000 and $15,000 (CAD 5,416 and CAD 20,311), depending on the size of the chimney. (Data from HomeGuide.)

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Chimney Removal

But maybe you find that all the upkeep of having a chimney isn’t worth it. Chimneys can be removed partially or in full.

Partial chimney removal involves removing the chimney stack from above the roofline and closing the roof. With a partial removal, your fireplace will remain in your home, though it will no longer be functional. Just removing the exterior portion of your chimney costs between $800 and $2,000 (CAD 1,083 and CAD 2,708).

Removing the section of chimney inside your home can open up additional space. Full chimney removal includes both the chimney stack on the roof and the chimney breast inside the house. Because this process involves patching the roof as well as floors and walls, the cost is higher: $2,500 to $7,500 (CAD 3,385 to CAD 10,156).

Inspect and Maintain

While chimney repairs can be expensive, many of the most common larger repairs can be minimized or avoided altogether by employing good chimney care practices.

Once a year, you should have a professional chimney sweep examine the inside and outside of your chimney. Avoid burning softer woods like pine or fir because they can quickly coat your flue in soot. Freshly cut logs, known as green wood, should likewise be avoided, because they produce a significant amount of smoke and creosote that will build up in the flue.

By having your chimney inspected on a regular basis, you can catch small cracks and deteriorations before they become larger, more expensive problems. Remaining diligent with your chimney upkeep will allow you to gather around the hearth with those you love, worry-free.

All CAD conversions are based on the exchange rate on the date of publication.