Chimney Repair in Independence, MO
Chimney repair fixes the parts that keep water out and smoke in: the cap, crown, flashing, liner and masonry. Jake And Son Chimney Sweep repairs chimneys in Independence, MO and 20 nearby towns.
We follow NFPA 211
We repair chimneys in line with NFPA 211, the National Fire Protection Association’s standard for chimneys, fireplaces and vents, including its requirements for liners, flue sizing and clearances to anything that can burn.
Common chimney problems and what fixes them
The most common chimney problems are water leaks, crumbling mortar, flaking brick, a cracked liner, animals in the flue and a rusted damper. Each has a standard repair, shown below.
| What you notice | Likely cause | Usual repair |
|---|---|---|
| Water in the firebox or stains on the ceiling near the chimney | Missing or damaged cap, cracked crown, or failed flashing | New cap, crown repair or rebuild, flashing reseal or replacement |
| Mortar crumbling out of the joints | Years of freeze and thaw | Tuckpointing: old mortar ground out and replaced |
| Faces of bricks flaking off | Spalling from water trapped in the brick | Replace damaged bricks, fix the water source |
| Bits of clay tile in the firebox | Cracked or broken flue liner | Liner repair or relining |
| Birds, squirrels or raccoons in the flue | No cap, or a cap without a screen | Removal of the nest, then a screened cap |
| Rust on the damper or firebox | Moisture coming down the flue | Find and stop the leak, replace the damper if seized |
| White staining on the outside brick | Efflorescence: salts carried out by water moving through the masonry | Find the moisture source; cleaning alone will not stop it |
The parts that fail most often
Five parts of a chimney fail most often: the cap, the crown, the flashing, the flue liner, and the mortar and brick.
Chimney cap
The cap is the metal cover over the flue opening. It keeps out rain, animals and leaves, and its screen stops sparks. It is the least expensive part of a chimney and prevents the most damage.
Chimney crown
The crown is the sloped slab of concrete or mortar that seals the top of the chimney around the flue. Hairline cracks can be sealed. A crown that is crumbling needs to be rebuilt.
Flashing
Flashing is the sheet metal that seals the joint where the chimney passes through the roof. When it lifts or the sealant fails, water runs down the outside of the chimney into the attic and ceiling.
Flue liner
The liner contains the heat and combustion gases and protects the masonry and the house framing around it. A cracked liner lets heat and gases reach places they should not. Our chimney liner comparison explains the options.
Mortar and brick
Missouri winters cycle above and below freezing many times a season, and each cycle works on any water in the masonry. Tuckpointing while the damage is limited to the joints avoids rebuilding later.
Had a chimney fire, or think you did?
Signs include a loud roaring or popping from the chimney, dense smoke, or puffy, honeycombed creosote in the flue afterward. If a fire is happening now, get everyone out and call 911. Do not use the fireplace again until the chimney has had a Level 2 inspection. Then call us at (816) 239-8989.
How we approach a repair
We approach every chimney repair in four steps: inspect first, show you the problem, give you the options, and do only the work you approve.
- Inspect first. A repair that does not address the cause will fail again, so we find where the water or damage is coming from.
- Show you. You see what we see and get an explanation without jargon.
- Give you the options. Where there is a smaller repair and a larger one, you hear both, with what each does and does not solve.
- Do the work you approve. Nothing more.
What affects the price of a chimney repair
Chimney repairs start at $239, a fitted chimney cap starts at $279 and a stainless steel liner starts at $1,199 (see pricing). From there the price depends on which part has failed, how far the damage extends, the height and access, and the materials needed.
- Which part has failed, and how much of it
- Whether the damage is at the top of the chimney or runs down the stack
- Chimney height and roof access
- Materials, such as the size and grade of a liner or cap
Because repairs vary so much, we look at the chimney before quoting. Call (816) 239-8989 to arrange it.
Related reading
Our chimney care guide explains how the whole system works, and chimney and fireplace problems covers smells, smoke, leaks and animals.
Related services
Chimney repair usually starts with an inspection and is often followed by a cleaning.
- Chimney inspection
- Chimney sweep and cleaning
- Alternatives to an open fireplace, if you are weighing a repair against an upgrade
Common questions
Why is my chimney leaking when it rains?
The usual causes are a missing or damaged cap, a cracked crown, or flashing that has pulled away from the roof. Less often, the brick itself has become porous. An inspection from the roof identifies which one it is. Water stains on the ceiling near the chimney point to flashing; water in the firebox points to the cap or crown.
Can I use my fireplace with a cracked flue liner?
No. A cracked liner can let heat and combustion gases reach the framing of the house or leak into living spaces. Have it inspected and repaired or relined before the next fire. This applies to flues serving a furnace or water heater as well as a fireplace.
Does every chimney need a cap?
Yes. A cap keeps rain, animals and debris out of the flue and its screen contains sparks. An uncapped flue is the most common starting point for water damage and blockages. Caps are sized to the flue, so the right one is measured and fitted, not bought off the shelf.
What is tuckpointing?
Tuckpointing is grinding out deteriorated mortar from the joints between bricks and packing in new mortar. It restores the chimney's strength and water resistance without rebuilding it. It is most often needed on the top third of a chimney, where the weather is hardest on the joints.
How do I know if I have had a chimney fire?
Signs include a loud roar or popping during a fire, puffy or honeycombed creosote, warped metal on the damper or cap, cracked flue tiles, and creosote flakes on the roof or ground. Any of these calls for a Level 2 inspection before the chimney is used again.