On this page
- 24 hours, Sunday through Friday emergency chimney service: when to call
- 24 hours, Sunday through Friday emergency chimney repair: what an urgent visit covers
- 24 hours, Sunday through Friday emergency chimney service solutions after the urgent part
- What the visit covers
- Signs to watch for
- What gets checked
- Getting ready for the visit
24 hours, Sunday through Friday emergency chimney service: when to call
Chimney fire? Call 911 first
If you hear roaring in the chimney, see flames or sparks from the top, or smell burning that's hotter than normal, get everyone out and call 911. Once the fire department has cleared the house, we can assess the damage.
- Smoke pouring into the room that clearing the damper doesn't fix
- An animal or nest blocking the flue
- Storm damage: a fallen cap, cracked crown or loose bricks on the roof
- Water suddenly coming in around the chimney
- Pieces of liner or masonry falling into the firebox
- A carbon monoxide alarm tied to a fireplace or stove (get out and call 911 first)
Getting 24 hours, Sunday through Friday emergency chimney help over the phone
When you call, we'll ask what you're seeing, what the chimney serves, and whether anything is still burning. In the meantime, stop using the fireplace or stove, let it cool, and keep people away from any area where masonry could fall. Don't climb onto the roof yourself, especially after a storm or in the dark.
24 hours, Sunday through Friday emergency chimney repair: what an urgent visit covers
| Feature | Urgent visit | Permanent repair |
|---|---|---|
| Blocked flue | Find and remove the blockage, then check the flue | Cap or animal screen installation to keep it from happening again |
| Storm damage | Assess damage and remove loose material | Crown repair, masonry repair or rebuild |
| Sudden leak | Find where the water is getting in | Flashing repair, crown repair or waterproofing |
| Smoke in the room | Check the damper and clear obstructions | Damper repair or draft repair |
Blocked flue
- Urgent visit
- Find and remove the blockage, then check the flue
- Permanent repair
- Cap or animal screen installation to keep it from happening again
Storm damage
- Urgent visit
- Assess damage and remove loose material
- Permanent repair
- Crown repair, masonry repair or rebuild
Sudden leak
- Urgent visit
- Find where the water is getting in
- Permanent repair
- Flashing repair, crown repair or waterproofing
Smoke in the room
- Urgent visit
- Check the damper and clear obstructions
- Permanent repair
- Damper repair or draft repair
Not every permanent repair can or should happen the same night. Masonry needs the right conditions to set, and liners need measuring. The urgent goal is to make the situation safe and give you a clear picture of what comes next.
24 hours, Sunday through Friday emergency chimney service solutions after the urgent part
Once the immediate danger is handled, you'll get a free estimate for the lasting repair. Damaged flues often lead to liner work, which understanding chimney liners walks through. Masonry and fireplace damage is covered under how 1 chimney fireplace repair works. A chimney badly damaged by a storm may need brick chimney installation service rather than patching. For a closer look at after-hours scheduling, see how Sunday–Friday 24-hour chimney service works.
What the visit covers
Small repairs done early usually avoid a partial rebuild later. A damaged liner or firebox lets heat reach parts of the house it shouldn't.
Inspect
Masonry, crown, flashing, cap and the inside of the flue are checked.
Trace the cause
The repair targets what is actually failing, not just the symptom.
Agree the scope
Nothing starts until you've approved what will be done.
Fix and finish
The work is completed and the area left clean.
Signs to watch for
- Cracked, flaking or spalling brick
- Pieces of flue tile in the firebox
- A cap that is loose, rusted or missing
- Water stains on the ceiling or wall beside the chimney
- Rust on the damper or firebox
What gets checked
- Flue liner condition
- Firebox walls and floor
- Crown cracks and pooling water
- Flashing seal at the roof
- Mortar joints and brick faces
- Cap, screen and chase cover
- Damper and smoke chamber
If smoke comes into the room
Stop adding fuel, open a window and don't relight the fire until the chimney has been checked. If the smoke is heavy, an alarm sounds or you suspect a chimney fire, get everyone outside and call 911.
Getting ready for the visit
- Let the fireplace or stove cool completely — ideally no fire for 24 hours before the visit.
- Move rugs, photos and anything fragile away from the work area.
- Note the make and model of any insert, stove or gas unit if you have it.
- Clear a few feet of space in front of the hearth or appliance.
