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
Learn how to fit a chimney liner safely and decide whether to DIY or hire a pro to complete the job.
Your home’s chimney is made up of several parts. But when it comes to the difference between a chimney damper versus a flue, these parts work together.
If you don’t want to buy an outdoor fireplace kit or get a pro to install it, you may be able to do it yourself. Learn how to build a DIY outdoor fireplace.
Many issues cause chimney leaking inside a house. Here is how to identify the source of the problem and take steps to prevent future issues.
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.
The average cost to repair or replace a chimney crown depends on the damage, material, and any other chimney maintenance services bundled into your project.
Chimney repair costs can vary by the type of chimney you have and the required repairs. Use this guide to help you estimate project costs.
Your chimney inspection cost will vary based on the type of inspection, how accessible the chimney is, the chimney size, and the number of flues.
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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.