The cost of chimney repairs depends on the type of problem you are experiencing. However, almost all issues will become worse and more expensive to fix the longer you leave them unchecked.
If you have an issue with your chimney and are wondering how much it would cost to repair it, we’re here to help. Below, we have compiled a list of common chimney repairs and how much they will typically set you back.
If you need help determining whether or not you require any of these repairs, we recommend you check out our post on how to find your chimney’s problem.
Common Chimney Repairs And How Much They Cost
Here is a breakdown of common issues with chimneys that require repairs and how much they typically cost.
Voids To Mortar Joints Or Discoloration Of Your Chimney’s Mortar Requiring Chimney Repairs
The discoloration of the chimney’s mortar is one of the most common chimney issues. The cause can be from the following: soot build-up, excess creosote, corrosion, algae growth, or mold. You might not think the discolored stains on the chimney cause concern; however, they could be signs of water damage to your chimney joints. Typically water finds a place to sit on the brick or finds a way inside the chimney and turns your once solid and hard mortar to become soft and sandy.
When you notice voids in your mortar joints, it’s best to have your chimney assessed. If this problem is taken care of early, you can usually fix your chimney with a simple repoint. A basic repoint can generally fix the early signs of wear and tear to a chimney and save you from water entering your home and causing damage. Depending on the severity of the damage, your chimney may need a full repoint or possibly just a repointing from the roofline-up. If water has been eating away at the mortar for long periods, it may not be possible to fix it with a repoint, and that’s where a chimney rebuild would be necessary. Depending on the damage, a chimney repoint typically costs anywhere from $1500 to $3500
If you need a cap replacement, additional costs will incur for the extra material and labor.
Basic chimney repoint grinds out voided mortar joints and repoint with new masonry. A basic chimney repoint and cap refurbishment is approximately $1500.
Damaged Crown
The crown is one of the essential parts of a chimney, and it is typically a large slab of concrete that sits on top of the chimney outside.
The crown has many critical structural functions. First, it protects the chimney from damaging weather conditions, like rain and sun. Having a crown prevents rainwater from entering your fireplace and the brick and mortar under the crown from erosion.
Second, a chimney’s crown prevents sparks from coming out of the top of the chimney. This, in turn, prevents these sparks from setting fire to your roof.
The most common problem you will likely experience with your crown is a crack. Once you have a crack, it is very easy for water to enter the crack, freeze, expand, and make it even more significant.
If left unchecked, this can cause significant damage to your roof and the chimney’s brick-and-mortar. Therefore, it is essential to try and fix the issue immediately.
Fixing your chimney’s crown should cost you between $500 and $2000, depending on the size of the damage. However, replacing your crown could cost up to $3,000, which is significantly more.
More approximate price ranges:
- Roofline up repoint – $1000 to $2500
- Chimney rebuild roofline up ( relay all brick ) – $2000 to $4000
Broken Flue Liner
The flue liner is your chimney’s inner walls, which protects it and ensures that it functions properly. Importantly, your flue liner is vital in carrying combustible and toxic gasses out of your home. So, a broken flue liner can expose your family to harmful gasses.
There are two types of flue liners: clay ones and metal ones (typically made from steel or aluminum). Most modern flue liners are from metal, which does not break easily.
However, older fireplaces will often have flue liners made from clay tiles, which break easily and require much care and attention. It is almost inevitable that your clay flue liner will deteriorate and crack over time.
Therefore, we recommend you get your clay tiles inspected at least once a year as part of your chimney safety routine.
Replacing clay tiles will typically cost you between $60 to $100 per square foot. However, even your clay replacement tiles will inevitably need replacing over time. Therefore, we recommend replacing your clay flue liner with a metal one.
Metal flue liners are generally more expensive and should cost anywhere between $2,500 and $6,000, depending on the size of your chimney. However, once you’ve made the replacement, you should not encounter many more issues with your flue liner.
Brick Chimney Repair
Unfortunately, your chimney’s bricks and mortar will inevitably deteriorate over time. This brick-and-mortar helps your chimney function efficiently and makes up the structural foundation of the chimney.
When your bricks are damaged, water can enter cracks in them and make them more significant over time. Ultimately, this can result in spalling (when your bricks crumble and break down).
If you don’t maintain your chimney’s brick-and-mortar with regular repairs, you might have to replace your entire chimney.
If you have to replace your entire chimney, this can cost you upwards of $10,000.
Leaning Chimney Repair Costs
If your chimney is leaning, this usually signifies a severe underlying problem. A leaning chimney is typically a sign of issues in your chimney’s foundation.
When a chimney is leaning, the pressure on it will only push it more, and this will cause the chimney to lean at a greater and greater angle over time. So, it’s essential to sort this issue out immediately.
Depending on how soon you act, a leaning chimney repair could cost between $2,000 and $4,000.
Chimney Repointing
Repointing refers to fixing the mortar between the bricks of your chimney. Repointing can often prevent further deterioration and structural damage if you improve your chimney’s mortar before further deterioration occurs.
Repointing works best when your chimney still has most of its structural integrity. Otherwise, you will have to do additional repairs.
Tuckpointing
While repointing refers to the structural repair of your chimney’s mortar, tuckpointing deals with the aesthetics of your mortar. It simply involves filling in any unpleasant, visible gaps in the mortar.
Tuckpointing is less focused on preventing further damage and more on ensuring that your chimney looks good. Therefore, it is optional to tuckpoint immediately.
However, gaps in your chimney can look unpleasant, and it’s generally a good idea to fill them up. If you’re getting other chimney repair work done on your chimney in Greater Vancouver, ask for any necessary tuckpointing to be done simultaneously.
Chimney tuckpointing costs between $500 and $2,000.
Rebuilding
Sometimes, your chimney has deteriorated to such a point that repointing or replacing some bricks is insufficient. At this point, you will need to rebuild it.
There are many ways to rebuild a chimney, depending on the type and extent of the damage.
You will usually only need to rebuild a portion of the chimney. Typically, it is the part of the chimney that is above the roof that needs to be rebuilt. The upper part of the chimney is exposed to the elements and is more prone to cracks and damage.
When this is the case, the damaged part of your chimney will have to be entirely removed, including the flashing (the metal part between the roof and the chimney that prevents leaks). Then, the chimney rebuild can commence.
The cost to rebuild your chimney depends on the extent of the damage, where it occurs, and the size of the chimney. However, a partial rebuild will typically cost between $2,500 to $4,000. A complete chimney rebuild will cost up to $10,000, depending on the size.
Professional Chimney Repair In Vancouver
The cost of chimney repairs depends on the issue and the size of the damage. However, one thing is for sure. The longer you wait to have your chimney fixed, the worse the damage can become and the more expensive it will be to repair.
So, if you need chimney repairs, get in touch with us today. At Prime Chimney Repair, we specialize in all types of chimney repairs in Greater Vancouver and can correct any issue you are experiencing. We provide free estimates so that you can better understand how much your specific chimney repair will cost.
