Chimney Repair Cost Guide | Flashing, Crown & Flue Repairs
So many homeowners forget about their chimneys when it comes to inspection, cleaning and repair. You buy your home and have the chimney inspection as part of your overall home inspection process, then it seems you forget about it. The only other time you think of the fireplace or chimney again is when it needs to be repaired, and you set out to learn about chimney repair costs, and other expenses you have to budget for when you have a fireplace in your home.
In this DIY Reviews article in the Home Improvement section, we will outline the average cost you can expect to pay to have your chimney cleaned, flashing repaired, flue repaired, chimney cap replaced and also your chimney crown repaired.
Chimney Sweep or Cleaning Cost
There are many reasons why you should have your chimney cleaned regularly, but the primary reason is to prevent chimney fires. Over at Familyhandyman.com, they have a great tutorial that shows you how you can check your chimney to see if it is time to have a chimney cleaning. This is not something you should put off until next year, take care of it now to prevent costly or even fatal accidents.
Cost: $100 – $300
Keep in mind that most chimney repair projects should be completed by a professional roofing contractor due to high peaks and the use of specialized tools.
Chimney Crown Repair Cost
Your chimney crown is located very high up on your roof and bears the brunt of harsh winds, rains and storms. This usually means that you will have to have it repaired more often, especially if you live in areas where the winters are especially bad or in an area where violent summer storms are the norm.
The cost of a chimney crown repair will vary based on what are of the country you live in, how difficult it is to access and also the size of the crown. The most common problem that occurs with a chimney crown is cracking due to moisture buildup. As it rains or snows, more moisture will seep into the cracks causing them to widen. If the cracks are caught early enough, you may be able to have it resurfaced. With this repair, your crown will be covered with a product that will seal out water and prevent further cracking. While this repair can help fix the immediate problem, don’t count on never having the crown repaired again. Your best bet is to have it completely replaced and you will probably never have to mess with it again.
Cost: $500 – $2000
Chimney Flashing Repair Cost
Chimney flashing is the barrier that is installed between your chimney and the roofing material. Usually made from metal or vinyl, chimney flashing helps water run off your roof correctly and into gutters.
About the only issue that happens with chimney flashing is that it rips or tears (if vinyl) or bends up (if metal). This is usually caused by inclement weather and can also just happen with time as it ages.
Cost: $200 – $500
Chimney Cap Repair Cost
The chimney cap is on the very top of your chimney and keeps animals from being able to enter your home through the chimney. Probably one of the least expensive repairs to a chimney because the caps are made from simple metal and more expensive stainless steel. This is usually a quick fix for a roofer so there is little labor cost.
Cost: $100 – $250
Chimney Flue Repair or Liner Cost
Your chimney flue it one of the most important items in your chimney because it allows the smoke or gases to be vented away from your fireplace and out of your home. Chimney flues are made from several different types of materials such as tile, brick, metal or ceramic.
Over the years, your flue can become caked with creosote, causing it to clog your chimney and cause the risk of a house fire. This is why it is important to have it inspected once a year to check for buildup.
The biggest thing about chimney flues that you need to know is that if they crack or break, they must be replaced immediately. This is not something that can wait because it can cause major damage or even death due to fire or carbon monoxide inhalation. The cost will vary depending on whether or not a crack can be fixed or if you have to have a completely new liner installed.
Cost: $250 – $750 (to repair cracks) / $2500 – $5000 (to install new liner)
Check out this great video on replacing a defective clay flue tile:
As you can see above, there are many items that may need to be repaired on chimney from the outside to the inside. Some are fairly inexpensive and some are very expensive! This is why it is so important to have your fireplace and chimney inspected once a year. You will thank yourself if you find a small issue before it becomes a huge issue!
