Get matched with top fireplace pros in Ennis, MT

You can close up a chimney instead of demolishing it. Homeowners often go this route because the cost of removing a chimney, especially a structurally important chimney, can be expensive.

Properly closing up a chimney involves closing and sealing the damper, installing a chimney cap damper, and sealing the fireplace opening with a door or bricks. The cost to seal and cap a chimney is around $500 to $650—significantly less than the average chimney removal cost.

They provide excellent heat retention and durability and add a classic aesthetic to a home.

Like other kinds of masonry and brickwork, a properly installed chimney should have a lifespan that extends beyond multiple generations of homeowners. But there are parts of the chimney that will need to be replaced more frequently. 

• Clay tile or cast-in-place liners should be replaced every 50 years.

• Stainless steel liners will last an average of 15–20 years.

• Mortar will require replacement every 25–30 years.

• Chimney crowns have an average lifespan of 50–75 years.

You can safely build a fire pit on your patio as long as you use porous, fire-resistant pavers or a fire pit mat over existing pavers. Otherwise, you’ll need to have exposed ground beneath your pit. You’ll also need to make sure the location for the fire pit is far enough away from your house and any other nearby structures.