My chimney looks like it's leaning, is that an emergency?

A leaning or separating chimney can be a safety hazard, especially in wind or storms, and should be looked at promptly rather than waiting for a routine service call. Get it inspected as soon as you can arrange it.

How quickly can a mason respond to storm or lightning damage?

Response time varies by contractor and season, but many masons prioritize jobs involving falling debris or active leaks over routine repointing work. It's worth calling a few and explaining the urgency when you reach out.

Can I keep using my fireplace or furnace with a damaged chimney?

You shouldn't run a fireplace or furnace through a chimney with visible structural damage or a missing crown until it's been inspected, since damage can let carbon monoxide or heat escape into places it shouldn't.

Emergency chimney repair

A chimney problem becomes urgent when it threatens safety or lets water into the house: a stack that's visibly leaning or pulling away from the roofline, bricks or chunks of the crown falling off, storm or lightning damage, or an active leak showing up as staining on ceilings and walls near the flue.

Contractors who take on urgent chimney work will typically want to see the damage in person or by photo before committing to a timeline, since a leaning chimney is a different scope of job than a cracked crown. Many will also do a quick temporary fix, such as tarping an open crown or capping a damaged flue, to stop further water intrusion while they schedule the full repair.

Chimney visibly leaning, separating, or pulling away from the house
Missing, cracked, or crumbling crown (the concrete cap on top)
Bricks or mortar falling onto the roof or ground
Active water leak traced to the chimney, especially before cold weather when the flue is needed for heat

Because a damaged chimney is often tied to whether it's safe to run a furnace or fireplace, buyers searching for this typically need someone who can move faster than a routine repair request.

What it costs

Cost depends heavily on height and roof access, since a chimney repair on a steep or multi-story roof needs scaffolding or a lift that a single-story job doesn't. A crown repair or partial rebuild costs far less than rebuilding the full stack, and contractors doing emergency work sometimes charge separately for a temporary weatherproofing measure (like tarping) done ahead of the permanent fix.

Top 3 by our score

Ranked from our published scoring of public Google reviews for chimney masonry & repair.

1. A1 Chimney
4.9★ · 399 reviews

83
2. Sunun Masonry LLC
5.0★ · 125 reviews

92
3. J. Salvatore & Sons Roofing- CT
5.0★ · 18 reviews

82

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FAQ

My chimney looks like it's leaning, is that an emergency?: A leaning or separating chimney can be a safety hazard, especially in wind or storms, and should be looked at promptly rather than waiting for a routine service call. Get it inspected as soon as you can arrange it.
How quickly can a mason respond to storm or lightning damage?: Response time varies by contractor and season, but many masons prioritize jobs involving falling debris or active leaks over routine repointing work. It's worth calling a few and explaining the urgency when you reach out.
Can I keep using my fireplace or furnace with a damaged chimney?: You shouldn't run a fireplace or furnace through a chimney with visible structural damage or a missing crown until it's been inspected, since damage can let carbon monoxide or heat escape into places it shouldn't.

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