From Top to Bottom, We’ve Got Your Chimney & Fireplace Repairs Covered
Here at Lou Curley’s Chimney Service, we recognize the importance of a safe and structurally sound chimney system, and we work hard to keep the chimneys and fireplaces of our neighbors in Delaware County and the surrounding areas in great condition. Whether you need to schedule your annual chimney cleaning or something within your system is amiss, the team at Lou Curley are the ones to call. Give us a call or book online now to get started.
We Can Tackle Chimney & Fireplace Damage
Unfortunately, sometimes damage occurs and chimneys need a little extra TLC, but we can help. We’re proud to offer a variety of chimney and fireplace repair services:
- Firebox Repairs: Are you in search of a wood or gas firebox repair? Because the firebox is the area of the fireplace system that actually holds the fire, it’s susceptible to heat damage and wear and tear. Once damaged, the firebox can allow heat to come into contact with nearby combustibles and possibly spark a house fire. By quickly making fireplace repairs, you can restore your firebox for safe use. Our team uses refractory mortar and firebrick to repair and rebuild fireboxes, and we also offer cast iron firebacks to help protect the back wall (and provide you with more radiant heat).
- Smoke Chamber Repairs: Does smoke billow up into your home whenever you light up a fire? The smoke chamber – or inverted funnel above your firebox – is designed to funnel smoke and byproducts up into the flue, so they can safely exit the home. Unfortunately, we often find that smoke chambers are jagged, damaged, or incorrectly constructed. If it turns out your smoke chamber is the problem, we can parge it smooth or reshape it for a safer, higher performing, more enjoyable fireplace system.
- Chimney Leak Repairs: Chimney leaks are one of the most rapidly damaging and costly problems you can have, but we can help. We’re leak resolution experts and we offer crown repair, masonry repair, waterproofing, and chimney cap/custom cap installation. Whatever is causing your water problems, we can put a stop to the leak – and then help you prevent future issues.
- Ahren-Fire Fireplace Restoration: If your fireplace is inefficient or not up to code, or if you struggle with smoke, draft, and performance problems, the Ahren-Fire Fireplace Restoration System may be the perfect solution for you. This all-in-one fireplace system is installed inside of your existing fireplace and chimney and can fix safety issues, improve heat output, eradicate smoke and draft problems, and bring your chimney up to code.
Does Home Insurance Cover Chimney or Fireplace Repairs?
There’s no denying that prompt chimney repair work is an important investment if your fireplace or chimney system is failing you. That said… while some repairs and quick, easy, and inexpensive to address, others are more exhaustive and time-consuming – and because of this, they’re a little harder on the budget. So, is there any chance that homeowners insurance will foot the bill?
The good news? There is a chance. The bad news? Unless your damage was caused by an external event or something entirely out of your control, that chance is fairly low. In addition, if you don’t have the evidence that you’ve been investing in annual inspections and maintenance, you’ll have a harder time getting your repairs paid for – even if it wasn’t your fault they occurred.
While we can’t speak for every company, many times an insurance company will cover damage if it’s caused by any of the following:
- wind storms
- chimney fires (unless they’re a result of neglect)
- lightning strikes
- natural disasters (tornadoes, floods, etc.)
- house fires
Basically, if it’s a sudden occurrence – or an event that’s unexpected and that you couldn’t have prepared for – you have a decent chance of getting coverage.
Our advice? Reach out to your insurance company to see what they cover and what type of evidence they need that you are, in fact, diligent about booking professional maintenance. For instance, damage from a flood might not be covered unless you can prove that, prior to the flood, your system was in tip-top shape. Otherwise, your insurance might claim that you could’ve had a leaky chimney beforehand, and the flood just made it worse.
Questions? We’re here to help. Book with us online or give us a call today.
Should I Repair or Rebuild My Chimney?
You have a lot of chimney damage, and you’re wondering if investing in a bunch of repairs is really the easier or most cost effective approach. Would a chimney rebuild be the better route? Well, whether you should repair or rebuild your chimney depends a lot on the extent of the damage and what specific areas are affected. Here are some factors to take into consideration:
- How bad is the damage? Is the damage so widespread and exhaustive that you’ll need a long list of different repair services and new components? It might be better to keep it simple and just book a rebuild.
- How much will repairs cost? If it’s going to cost you more to make all of the necessary repairs than it would to tear things down and start from scratch, then this is kind of a no-brainer… Go with the rebuild!
- Is your chimney leaning or missing large chunks? In these cases, it’s almost always better to do a rebuild to ensure everything is structurally sound from the bottom to the top.
- How old is your chimney? Is your chimney nearing the end of its usable lifespan anyway? Then, you may as well opt for a rebuild with new materials and modern components.
- Is your chimney up to code? If not, a rebuild may be required to ensure all local and state regulations are being met.
- What do the experts say? What did our team have to say about where your chimney stands? Overall, following the advice of a seasoned and educated professional will always be a solid route.
So, where should you start?
Make the process as simple as possible by booking a chimney inspection with our certified technicians first and foremost. That way, we can figure out where you stand, then make recommendations based on our years of experience and advanced technical knowledge.
How Can I Avoid Chimney & Fireplace Damage?
Now, sometimes chimney damage is inevitable. There’s not much you can do to stop a bad windstorm from blowing branches into your chimney or to stop a lightning strike from occurring. That said, most of the time you can prevent major issues from occurring – or, at the very least, stop minor problems from escalating even further. Here’s our advice:
- Book regular inspections. Having your chimney and fireplace inspected annually by a certified chimney technician is probably the most important part of keeping everything tip-top shape. This way, they can identify any issues and address them before they become serious problems.
- Don’t neglect chimney sweepings. Creosote, a flammable substance, can build up in the chimney over time and cause a fire hazard. Regular cleaning by a professional can remove this buildup.
- Burn the proper fuel. Use only dry, seasoned hardwood for your fireplace. Green or wet wood can create more creosote and acidic toxins that will eat away at your chimney’s interior.
- Invest in the right chimney components. Install a chimney cap and other important components to prevent birds, animals, and debris from entering your chimney. This can also help prevent rainwater from causing damage.
- Don’t put off chimney and fireplace repairs. If you do need repairs, don’t put them off. Damage to your chimney or fireplace will only worsen with time, so an easy fix could turn into expensive-to-address damage quickly.
- Stay educated and keep your eyes open. Knowing what to look for in terms of damage – and keeping a vigilant eye out for any signs of issues – can pay off a lot in the long run. Just be sure to let us know right away if you spot something amiss.
- Hire the right professionals. When it comes to your chimney, always hiring a CSIA-certified company is a must. In addition, make sure you aren’t trusting another home service professional for a chimney-related job (like a roofer to repair flashing).
Time to book some necessary maintenance? Or maybe you want to get an inspection on the calendar to ensure you’re good to go for the burn season. Whatever the case, we’re here to help. Reach out online or give us a call now.
Are Chimney Repair Services Expensive?
Well, we wish we could give you an easy and straightforward answer, but it’s not quick that simple. Chimney repair costs can vary quite a bit based on the type of chimney you have, how old it is, and the extent of your damage. It’s similar to sending your car into the mechanic shop. There’s never just a flat fee for repairing a vehicle… Prices vary based on a bunch of different factors. The same goes for your chimney.
A quick chimney cap installation job, for instance, shouldn’t put too big of a dent in your bank account. But if we find out your chimney needs to be partially rebuilt or relined completely? Well, then prices are bound to go up.
So, why can’t we give out a price list of all the different repair jobs?
Well, again, because things can vary more than you’d think. For instance, tuckpointing job that involves just a few touch up areas won’t cost as much as a tuckpointing job for entire chimney and the surrounding wall.
All that said, this doesn’t mean we can’t be honest and transparent with you in terms of pricing ahead of booking a job. What we will need is to learn more about your situation and potentially do an inspection before making any definite estimates. That way, you’ll truly get the most accurate price point right from the beginning, and you won’t have to deal with any surprises price increases or extra fees along the way, either.
Let Us Restore Your Fireplace & Chimney
You don’t have to live with a damaged, unsafe, and unenjoyable fireplace and chimney system – we can help. Our team is made up of CSIA-certified, NFI-certified, and F.I.R.E.-certified chimney sweeps and we know what it takes to make chimney repairs that last. From top to bottom, we’re here to help keep your chimney and fireplace looking and working like new.
Call us now or fill out our online appointment request form to schedule your next chimney inspection and repair. We’re here to help!
If you need a chimney leak repair, call our chimney and fireplace repair technicians to find and fix the problem.