Chimney

A chimney is the vertical structure that safely vents smoke and gases from your fireplace, furnace, or stove to the outside. Beyond basic function, proper chimney care involves inspections, cleaning, cap installation, and masonry repairs to keep your home safe and efficient. Whether you're dealing with creosote buildup or cracked flue liners, Angi helps you find the right pro and guidance for every chimney project.

Related to Chimney Service

Chimney Service Articles and Advice
Paige Bennett  •  May 30, 2026
How Much Does It Cost to Seal a Chimney? [2026 Data]
Sealing your chimney is one of the most affordable ways to prevent water from penetrating the bricks. This guide breaks down the cost to seal a chimney.
Catherine Hiles  •  May 30, 2026
How Much Does Chimney Replacement Cost? [2026 Data]
Replacing your chimney increases home value and prevents hazardous structural damage. Learn how much to budget for chimney replacement costs.
Nick P. Cellucci  •  May 30, 2026
How Much Does a Chimney Liner Cost? [2026 Data]
Chimney liners are important for fire safety and energy efficiency in your home. Learn how much chimney liners cost based on type, size, material, and other factors.
Derek Rose  •  May 22, 2026
What Is Parging a Chimney? How It’s Done and Why It’s Necessary
Parging a chimney’s smoke chamber is essential during installation or maintenance. We’ll explain what parging a chimney is and why and how it’s done.
Angi  •  May 21, 2026
How to Hire a Chimney Cap Installer
Learn how to hire a chimney cap installer with expert tips on finding qualified pros, asking the right questions, and protecting your home investment.
Deirdre Sullivan  •  May 21, 2026
How to Install a Chimney Damper and When It’s Best to Call a Pro
Learn everything you need to know about how to install a chimney damper, then decide whether to do it yourself or hire a local professional.
Amy Pawlukiewicz  •  May 21, 2026
Everything You Need to Know About Chimney Video Inspections
Video chimney inspections can tell you a lot about your fireplace, including what needs to be cleaned or repaired, structural damage, and any other issues.
Jamie Cattanach  •  May 21, 2026
How to Tell If Your Flue Is Open So You Can Sit by the Fire in Peace
Do you love using your fireplace? Learn how to tell if your flue is open or closed before you start a fire and smoke yourself out.
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Common Chimney Service Questions

The best style of chimney cap for a brick chimney is one that fits tightly around the brick top of the chimney. The cap should have a screen to fully enclose it to keep animals out. The best materials include stainless steel, copper, or aluminum that fit tightly or are custom fabricated for a perfect fit on your chimney.

A chimney requires both a cover and a cap, but these parts often get confused with one another. A chimney cover seals the top of the chimney around the flue pipe to prevent water from entering the chimney. A chimney cap is a piece that sits above the flue to prevent animals, debris, and water from entering the flue.

Replacing older chimneys or fireplaces, like wood-burning stoves, with something more eco-friendly can actually increase the value of your home. Some homeowners opt to remove chimneys as they pursue LEED certification, which may also increase the value of your home. But in general, many potential buyers actually look for operational fireplaces in homes, so removing a chimney and fireplace could decrease your home’s value by up to $5,000.

Raccoons in a chimney sound like thumping, rustling, scratching, or scurrying. Because they can weigh as much as 20 pounds, they make noises that are noticeable and hard to miss. Plus, they have an average litter size of 3 to 7 kits, so you may hear what sounds like multiple animals thumping, rustling, scratching, or scurrying.

Yes, you can use an existing chimney with a wood-burning stove if it meets specific requirements. The stove’s vent pipe size must be compatible with the size of your chimney flue. Your contractor can tell you whether your chimney is suitable for installation.