How much does it cost to repair a chimney?

Do you suffer from a leak, and is the chimney likely to be the cause? Or do you want to prevent a chimney leak and have a preventive inspection or maintenance carried out? Your reason for hiring a professional for a job on your chimney largely determines the price. To give you an idea of what activities you can think of when renovating a chimney or repairing the chimney, we have listed the most common ones below.

The professional often carries out an inspection to determine what maintenance or repair is needed on your chimney. He checks the joints’ condition, the cement slab on top of the chimney, and the masonry itself. If wear is visible somewhere, he can repair the chimney. When the bricks have had their day or cracks are visible in your chimney, a chimney renovation is often necessary.

The professional will charge costs for inspecting the chimney. Even after inspection, no chimney renovation or repair turns out necessary. Not only does the professional spend time on the job, but the professional must also take the safety measures required to get on the roof without danger. You often pay a fixed price, including labor and material costs.

is often placed on the part where the duct and the rest of the roof are connected. This lead serves as a watertight seal and thus ensures that no water can enter your home. If there are cracks or holes in the information, the professional must replace the lead. It is wise to have this carried out by a specialist to ensure that the lead flashing is properly waterproof and that you do not get any leaks. The specialist also has the right tools for this job, such as tin snips and the lead needed to replace the lead flashing.

At the top of the chimney, a layer of mortar, or cement board, holds the chimney’s four walls together. Weather influences can make this cement board porous, which can cause leaks. If the professional has to replace parts of the cement board, he carefully cuts out the damaged parts and repairs them with mortar. If the cement slab is in too bad a condition, he chooses to replace the furniture entirely.

As the highest point of your home, the chimney must endure a lot from the different weather conditions. That also affects the brickwork and jointing of the chimney. If the bricks or joints are porous, you can suffer from a chimney leak. You can have a professional repair the chimney. If possible, he does this without chopping or breaking work. The professional will cut out the joints and apply new joints if it concerns worn joints. He immediately rebuilds any loose bricks. If there is a lot of damage to your chimney, the professional may have to brick (part of) the chimney. He often chooses to brick the chimney in its entirety again because this gives the most sustainable result. To extend your chimney’s life and prevent chimney leakage, you can choose to impregnate the chimney. That is undoubtedly recommended after a chimney renovation or repair. The professional applies an impregnation agent that penetrates deep into the masonry and provides the chimney with extra protection against the weather.

A suitable flue is indispensable for the chimney to function correctly. Mainly if you use the chimney to remove wood or oil-fired heat, it often happens that the diameter of the flue does not match the size of the chimney. If the vent is too small, the polluted air will go out through the duct and along your walls. If the air cannot escape properly, it may get stuck in your home. That can cause problems for your health. A flue can easily be replaced by a professional with a flexible but strong lining. There is no need to tear down the chimney because the craftsman pulls the duct through the chimney.

When it is not enough to repair your chimney, the professional often opts for a complete chimney renovation. If he has to brick a large part of the chimney or several repair jobs are required to guarantee a safe and watertight operation of your chimney, you speak of a chimney renovation. Often the professional build the chimney from scratch or performs a combination of the above jobs. It is wise to protect the new brick construction with an impregnating agent even after a chimney renovation. This way, your chimney can withstand it for years to come.

For the good functioning of the chimney, it is essential to carry out regular maintenance. A poorly maintained flue entails several risks, such as chimney leaks, fire, or carbon monoxide poisoning. That involves maintenance on the outside and inside of the chimney. You can often have both types of care carried out by the same professional.

During maintenance on the outside, the professional checks the construction and condition of the masonry and jointing. If necessary, he can immediately repair the chimney. If you have the chimney maintained regularly, you will reduce the chance of a chimney leak. That also prevents the need for an entire chimney renovation in the long run.

Maintenance on the inside of the chimney is essential for the proper functioning of removing harmful air. During the combustion of wood, soot particles always remain in the flue pipe, which in the long run can lead to reduced efficiency of the exhaust. It can also happen that twigs or leaves blow into the chimney from outside, causing it to become blocked. And birds often find a chimney a great place to build a nest. If the air cannot escape properly, it may be that the harmful substances linger in your home. It can have serious consequences, such as carbon monoxide poisoning. Therefore, have your chimney swept regularly. If you heat a lot, it is advisable to do this twice a year.