Fireplace Repair for Fireboxes, Hearths, Smoke and Draft Problems
Wood-burning fireplaces that smoke, won't draw, or are shedding brick — diagnosed honestly and repaired at one flat price.
The firebox endures intense heat—over 1,000°F per fire—that gradually breaks down the refractory mortar holding the firebrick together. You'll see this as gaps between bricks, crumbling joints, or loose brick faces inside the box. Those openings let radiant heat escape sideways and backward into the structure behind the firebox, creating a fire risk. Before next season, cracks and loose joints need to be addressed.
Chimney Pros rebuilds fireboxes with proper refractory materials, fixes hearths, unsticks dampers, and solves the problem most homeowners really want solved: why the fireplace smokes into the room. A smoking fireplace always has a reason—flue size, blockage, air supply, or cold-flue dynamics—and we identify which one before proposing a fix. Guessing wastes your money.
Warning signs it can't wait
- Visible cracks or gaps between firebrick inside the firebox, especially around the back and sides
- Mortar joints crumbling or missing between bricks, exposing raw brick edges
- Loose or missing pieces of firebrick that you can see or sometimes pull free by hand
- Smoke flowing into the room instead of up the chimney, especially on the first light or in mild weather
- A musty or damp smell near the fireplace, even when no fire is burning
- Heat radiating from the outside chimney wall or from behind the fireplace during use
- Ash and soot accumulating unusually fast or falling into the firebox from above
- A damper that won't open smoothly, sticks halfway, or won't stay in position
Seeing two or more at once? Stop using the fireplace and call — that combination usually means the system is struggling or unsafe to run.
What we repair
- Firebox refractory mortar — joints between bricks break down from thermal cycling and need resealing
- Firebrick replacement — individual bricks crack or crumble and must be swapped out with matching refractory units
- Firebox reline or rebuild — extensive cracking or deterioration across the entire box requires a complete interior redo
- Damper repair or replacement — springs fatigue, hinges bind, or seals fail, stopping the damper from sealing the flue
- Hearth and surround repair — cracks, spalling, or loose tiles on the floor and walls around the opening
- Flue blockage removal — creosote buildup, animal nests, or debris restricting airflow and causing smoke backup
- Flue sizing assessment — chimney too small or too large for the firebox, creating draft or updraft problems
- Air supply and house draft — insufficient fresh air entering the room or overly sealed home preventing proper combustion
- Cold-flue effect — exterior chimney losing heat before draft develops, requiring external insulation or cap redesign
What fireplace repair costs
Fireplace repairs and diagnostics range from $180 to $850. Every repair is quoted at one flat price, approved by you in writing before any work begins, with no hidden trip fees.
| Repair / service | Typical price |
|---|---|
| Diagnostic visit | $0 – $99 (credited to repair) |
| Damper repair or replacement | $180 – $450 |
| Firebox repair | $300 – $800 |
| Hearth / surround repair | $250 – $850 |
What you get
Refractory Done Right
Fireboxes repaired with real refractory mortar and firebrick — materials rated for the heat they'll live in.
Draft Diagnosed, Not Guessed
Smoke problems get a methodical diagnosis: flue, damper, air supply, and termination — with the cause shown to you.
Safe-to-Burn Verification
Every repair ends with a check that the system is actually safe to use, documented in photos.
Flat Quoted Price
Diagnosis first, one written price, and an invoice that matches it.
Free fireplace assessment
We photograph the problem, explain the actual cause, and quote one flat price to fix it.
How it works
Free visual and sensory assessment
We inspect the firebox interior, check the damper, look for visible cracks and heat damage, and note any smell or smoke patterns you've observed. No obligation, no charge, and findings are documented with photos.
Diagnostic visit if needed
For smoke or draft issues, we may run a Level 1 inspection ($69, regularly $149, credited toward repairs) or a Level 2 camera inspection ($199) to see inside the flue and identify blockages or sizing problems.
One flat repair quote with photo evidence
Based on what we found, we provide a single price for the repair work, supported by before photos showing exactly what needs fixing. You approve the quote in writing before we touch anything.
Drop cloths and HEPA vacuum on arrival
We protect your home and clean as we work. Soot, dust, and debris are contained and removed with a HEPA-filter vacuum on every job.
Repair work and documentation
We rebuild, replace, or reseal using proper refractory materials. Before-and-after photos of the flue are taken so you can see the work that was done.
Final walkthrough and cleanup
We test the damper, inspect the repair, answer your questions, and confirm the fireplace is safe to use. Your home is left clean and the job is done.
See the difference
Drag the slider — creosote removed at the source, the kind of result we photograph on every job.
Fireplace Repair questions
Why does my fireplace smoke into the room?
One of four causes: a blocked or undersized flue, a damper that won't seal, a house too airtight to supply fresh air to the fire, or a cold exterior chimney that resists draft. Each fix is different, which is why we diagnose first instead than guessing.
Can a cracked firebox be repaired, or does it need replacing?
Cracked joints are repacked with refractory mortar; badly cracked or loose firebrick is replaced one brick at a time; widespread failure gets a full reline or rebuild. Photos of your firebox tell us which one yours needs.
Is it safe to keep using the fireplace until it's fixed?
Cosmetic surface cracks are usually fine. Gaps in joints or loose brick mean heat can reach framing behind the box—we'll tell you plainly to stop burning until it's repaired. That judgment call is what the free assessment is for.
Who repairs fireplace dampers?
Chimney Pros does. Dampers stick, seals fail, and springs weaken. Damper repair or replacement runs $180–$450 depending on the type and extent of damage.
Can I fix a smoking fireplace myself?
You can clean the chimney and remove obvious blockages, but finding the real cause—flue sizing, air supply, or cold-flue dynamics—requires tools and know-how. A misdiagnosis costs more than a proper evaluation up front.
How much does fireplace repair cost?
Repairs range $180–$850. A diagnostic visit costs $0–$99 (credited to repairs). Damper work is typically $180–$450; firebox repairs run $300–$800; hearth and surround work is $250–$850. Every repair is one flat quote you approve before work starts.
Do I need a new fireplace or can mine be fixed?
Most can be fixed. Refractory mortar, firebrick, dampers, and hearths are all repairable and routine. Only extreme structural failure requires a full rebuild, and we'll show you photos before asking you to go that route.
What if I suspect a gas smell near the fireplace?
Call right away. If you have a gas insert or gas logs, a smell is serious. We move suspected gas-smell calls to the front of the schedule and can arrange same-day or emergency service.
Will you charge me to look at my fireplace?
No. The visual assessment and damper check are free. If you need deeper diagnosis—like a camera inspection of the flue—we quote that separately. All findings are credited to repair work if you move forward.
Ready for a safer, cleaner chimney?
Same-week appointments, honest flat pricing, no scare tactics — and same-day emergency service when it can't wait. Licensed and insured.