Where the chimney leak starts, found and fixed in Pinewood
Repairs aimed at the confirmed path, so one fix is not stacked on another after every storm.
- Owned and run locally
- Available for same-day service
- Fully licensed and insured
- Family owned and run
Water marks that suggest a chimney leak
- Stain that grows after heavy rain
- Dark brick patches long after rain stops
- Damper that has started to stick
- Water on a lower floor below the chimney
Jump to
Stopping a chimney leak at the right part
Water through a cracked crown
The crown is the concrete or masonry top that surrounds the flue. When it cracks, rain can soak into the brick below or run down beside the flue liner. The leak may then show inside, far from the top of the chimney.
Crown cracks are often invisible from the ground. We look at the crown surface, its edges and the joint where it meets the flue. If the crown is the path, its repair goes on the estimate under its own name, with the reason written next to it.
Fixing the proven path first
When the evidence confirms one source, that repair comes first. It is the one most likely to stop the water, and its result tells us whether anything else needs attention. Adding every possible repair at once makes it hard to know what worked.
In some cases it is sensible to do more than one repair together, for example when a roof section is already open. We explain the reason when we suggest that. Otherwise the plan is to fix the proven path, watch the next heavy rain and decide on any next step with that result in hand.
Hearing drips inside the chimney
Some people hear water dripping inside the chimney during rain, even when nothing appears in the room. That sound usually means water is getting into the flue and landing on the damper or smoke shelf.
Note when you hear it and how heavy the rain was. The sound tells us the water is inside the chimney rather than in the roof. We start at the top and work down, checking the cap, the crown and the joint around the flue for the opening.
Chimneys inside the house and on the outside wall
A chimney that rises through the middle of the house passes through the roof on all sides. A chimney on an outside wall meets the roof on one side and the weather on three. Their leaks behave differently.
An inside chimney tends to show water on ceilings and walls around the breast. An outside chimney can also leak through its exposed faces and the joint where it meets the house. We check the paths that fit your chimney's position, rather than a single checklist for every chimney.
Parts of a chimney leak job we price
- Attic framing and insulation near the chimney
- Staged hose water test when the job calls for it
- Paths confirmed, likely and unknown
- Separate items for other defects found
Leak questions answered for Pinewood
Do you fix the ceiling stain as part of the leak repair?
No. Interior repair is a separate trade, and it makes sense only after the water has stopped and the area has dried. We tell you when the chimney side is finished so the ceiling or wall can be restored.
Does a leak need fixing if nobody uses the fireplace?
Yes. Rain getting into any chimney can damage the masonry, rust the damper and stain the walls, whether or not the fireplace is used. Unused chimneys tend to be checked late, so leaks there can run for a long time.
Are temporary fixes worth doing while repairs are planned?
Sometimes. A short-term step can reduce water entry while a part is ordered or a roof project is scheduled. We list it separately and say plainly that it is not the repair, so it is not mistaken for one.
More Ways to Care for Your Fireplace
- Chimney Chase Cover ReplacementReplace the chase top with a properly planned cover and clearly defined pipe connections.
- Chimney RebuildRebuild the affected chimney section with the retained structure, roof connection and passage included in the plan.
- Ventless Gas Fireplace ServiceService the identified vent-free appliance without bypassing its required safety components.
- Chimney Animal RemovalAssess occupied chimney openings and plan appropriate follow-up cleaning or entry protection.
- Stone Chimney RepairRepair affected stone chimney surfaces with the supporting construction and visual match considered together.
We received your request
Our team will contact you to arrange your inspection.
Chimney & Fireplace Brands We Work With
DuraVent 
Olympia Chimney and Venting 
Copperfield Chimney Supply 
Rutland 
Heatilator 
Heat & Glo