Chimney repair in Fargo
Describe the problem. A local chimney pro gets in touch to quote it. Free, and you decide.
Prefer to talk? Call (701) 936-7113.
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Fargo’s winters do the damage
Water soaks into brick, freezes and expands about 9%, then thaws and repeats. Tap a part to see how it fails.
Cap
A cover over the flue opening. It keeps rain, snow and animals out and can carry a spark screen.
How it fails. Metal caps rust through or come loose in wind. Masonry caps crack. Without one, water runs straight down the flue.
What you may notice. Rust streaks below the top, a cap that is bent or missing, birds or animals in the flue.
Crown
The slab of concrete or mortar across the top of the masonry. It sheds water off the brick.
How it fails. Crowns crack as they freeze and thaw. Water then gets under the slab and into the brick below.
What you may notice. Hairline or open cracks across the top, pieces breaking off, white staining on the upper brick.
Flue liner
The inner lining, usually clay tile or stainless steel. It carries smoke and gas out and shields the masonry and house framing.
How it fails. Clay tiles crack from heat, chimney fires or moisture. A damaged liner can let heat and gas reach the walls around it.
What you may notice. Flakes of tile in the firebox, smoke smell indoors, cracks seen on a camera inspection.
Brick and mortar
The stack itself. Mortar joints hold the brick together and keep water out.
How it fails. Mortar crumbles first. Brick faces then flake off (spalling) as trapped water freezes and expands about 9%.
What you may notice. Sandy mortar, loose or flaking brick, white powder on the surface, a stack that leans.
Flashing
Metal sheets woven into the roof and the chimney. They seal the joint where the two meet.
How it fails. Flashing lifts, rusts or loses its sealant, and meltwater runs behind it into the attic.
What you may notice. Brown stains on the ceiling or wall next to the chimney, damp insulation, leaks during snowmelt.
Firebox and damper
The firebox is where the fire burns. The damper is the door that closes the flue when it is not in use.
How it fails. Firebrick cracks and mortar between the bricks falls out. Dampers warp, stick or rust.
What you may notice. Gaps in the firebrick, a damper that will not close or open, smoke spilling into the room.
Water gets in. Winter does the rest.
How it works
One short form. One local pro. No cost to you. Read the details.
You describe the problem
Tell us what you see: a stain, crumbling brick, smoke in the room. Give a name, a phone number or email, and your ZIP code. It takes about a minute.
A local pro gets in touch
We pass your request to an independent chimney contractor who works in the Fargo area. They contact you to talk through the job and arrange a look.
You compare and decide
Ask for a written, itemized quote, and ask other pros too if you like. Hiring is your decision, and you owe us nothing either way.
We step out
Fargo Chimney is a referral service, not a contractor. The work, the price and the warranty are between you and the contractor.
The Red River of the North, frozen, at Fargo (FEMA, 2009).
Chimney parts, and where each one fails
Pick a part to read how that repair works.
- CapLeaks
- CrownLeaks
Spalling brick - FlueRelining
- LinerRelining
Lead flashing - FlashingLeaks
- MortarMasonry
Mortar and moss - BrickMasonry
- FireboxFireplace
Clay chimney pots
Serving Fargo and nearby towns
We currently match homeowners on the North Dakota side of the metro.
- Fargo, ND
- West Fargo, ND
- Horace, ND
- Harwood, ND
- Mapleton, ND
- Casselton, ND
- Kindred, ND
Map of the city of Fargo, 1898, by George F. Cram.
Questions homeowners ask
CostHow much does chimney repair cost in Fargo?
Most jobs run from a few hundred dollars to a few thousand. A sweep and inspection is usually $200–$500, a cap, crown or flashing repair $150–$1,500, tuckpointing $500–$2,500 and relining $900–$7,000. A partial rebuild starts around $1,000 and a full rebuild can pass $10,000. These are national ranges, so Fargo quotes can differ.
WinterWhy do chimneys crack in Fargo winters?
Brick and mortar absorb water. Water expands about 9% when it freezes, and Fargo's winters freeze and thaw it again and again. The weakest points give way first: the crown, the mortar joints and the flashing.
SafetyIs a cracked chimney an emergency?
It depends where the crack is. Damage to the flue liner, any smoke smell indoors, or a carbon monoxide alarm means stop using the fireplace or appliance until a pro inspects it. Cracks in the crown or mortar are rarely urgent, but water keeps working at them every winter.
InspectionHow often should a chimney be inspected?
The national fire-safety standard NFPA 211 calls for an inspection at least once a year, and a deeper camera inspection when you buy a house, change appliances or after a chimney fire.
This siteDoes Fargo Chimney charge anything?
No. Requesting a quote is free and you are not obligated to hire anyone. Fargo Chimney is a referral service, not a contractor. The contractors are independent, and they may pay us for introductions.
LicensingHow do I check that a contractor is licensed?
North Dakota requires a state contractor license for larger jobs, currently those over $4,000, and the Secretary of State publishes a license search. Also ask for proof of liability insurance and workers' compensation, and get the estimate in writing.
Free chimney quote
Tell us what is wrong and where you are. A local pro takes it from there. It costs you nothing.