Cracks around the flue tile at the top of the chimney
Some of the most common damage isn't inside the flue at all. Where the clay tile rises through the concrete crown, you'll often find cracks around the flue tile. They may be in the crown itself, or there may be a gap where the crown has pulled away from the tile. That opening funnels rain down the outside of the liner, where it soaks the brick and can freeze.
This is usually fixed at the crown. The cracked crown is repaired, and the joint between crown and tile is sealed with a flexible material that lets the tile expand as it heats. A chimney cap then keeps rain off the opening. Water damage often shows on the outside of the stack too. If you see it, look into cracked chimney bricks repair alongside the flue work.
Fixing broken flue tiles inside the chimney
Inside the flue, a camera inspection maps every crack before a repair is chosen. The usual approaches look like this:
| Situation | Typical approach | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| One or two cracked tiles near the top | Repair or replace the affected section | Practical only where the damaged tiles can be reached |
| Open or eroded mortar joints | Repair the liner joints | The tiles themselves need to be sound |
| Cracks along much of the flue | Install a new chimney liner | Sized to the fireplace or appliance it serves |
| Damaged liner plus a new appliance planned | Reline to suit the new appliance | Liner size must match what will vent through it |
Each option falls under our flue repair service. When the damage also reaches the smoke chamber, damper or firebox, the work can be planned together as chimney and fireplace repair. To see why relining is so often recommended, read our guide to understanding chimney liners. For the causes behind the damage, see what causes cracked chimney flue tile.
Fixing broken flue tiles in East Hartford and West Hartford
The approach is the same whether your home is in Hartford, East Hartford or West Hartford. First the damage is confirmed, then a repair is chosen to fit the chimney, and the fireplace stays out of use until the work is done. Homeowners in East Hartford and West Hartford can request a free estimate the same way as anyone else in Connecticut.
Book expert flue repair now, before the next fire
Cracked liners tend to get worse with every heating cycle, so book before you need the fireplace. An early inspection and estimate gives you time to choose a repair without rushing. During a chimney fire, get everyone out and call 911 first. If you've had a chimney fire or smell smoke in the house, emergency calls are accepted 24 hours a day, Sunday through Friday.
What the visit covers
A chimney fire or years of acidic gas exhaust can crack and erode tile liners. An appliance needs a liner sized to its outlet to draft properly and limit buildup.
Scan the flue
A camera shows cracks, gaps and missing sections along the full length.
Size the liner
The appliance and the flue decide the liner type and diameter.
Install
The liner is fed from the top, connected at the bottom, and capped and sealed at the top.
Confirm
Draft is checked and you're shown the scan and the finished work.
Carbon monoxide
A damaged liner can let exhaust into the home. If a carbon monoxide alarm sounds or anyone feels dizzy or sick, get everyone outside and call 911.
What gets checked
- Missing or displaced sections
- Tile cracks and joint gaps
- Connection at the appliance or smoke chamber
- Liner size against the appliance
- Signs of a past chimney fire
- Top plate, cap and seal
When to book cracked flue tile repair
- Pieces of clay tile in the firebox or at the bottom of the flue
- Cracks or open joints seen in a camera scan
- Smoke or a smell in rooms next to the chimney
- A new insert or stove that needs a matched liner
- A chimney fire in the past
