Chimney repair in Reno NV - leaks stopped where the water actually gets in
Ceiling stain by the fireplace or mortar crumbling up top? We find where the water gets in and stop it there before fixing the brick.
What's wrong with my chimney, and what fixes it?
At Anchorstone Reno Concrete and Masonry, chimney repair in Reno means fixing the crown, flashing, mortar and flue, so water stays out of your chimney and ceiling and smoke and gases stay out of your house.
Maybe you've found a brown stain on the ceiling by the fireplace, mortar sand on the roof or a crack across the concrete on top. Most of it usually traces back to water, which soaks into brick and mortar, freezes, expands and pries them apart a little more each winter, the same way ice slowly splits a crack in a sidewalk. That's why the price turns on how many parts need work, whether the flue is involved, how much brick has to come out and how easy your chimney is to reach, and the schedule turns on the size of the repair and the weather, since fresh mortar and concrete need mild days to set. When I come out, I'll show you what I see and lay out what we'd do and why, including anything that can wait.
Why Reno homeowners call us for chimney repair
You'll deal with me from the first look to the final walkthrough, and you'll leave understanding your chimney, what needs fixing now and what can wait.
I come out myself
I look at your chimney and write the estimate, then I'm on site with our crew while the work gets done.
Learned on the wall
I laid block and brick on new houses before starting this business in 2023 to work on homes people live in.
Licensed and fully insured
Nevada contractors usually hold a state license classification that shows the work they may do, so ask which one before hiring.
Satisfaction guaranteed on every job
It's the one promise we put on our work, and it covers a small flashing fix as much as a big job.
Honest about what can wait
If a crack is cosmetic and isn't letting water in, I'll tell you it can wait instead of selling you a repair.
What our chimney repair covers
Water does most of the damage, so I find where it gets in at the crown, flashing or joints before we touch the brick face. Painting over a leak doesn't stop it.
What happens after you call about your chimney?
We plan each chimney job around what your chimney actually needs and how your household uses the fireplace, so you know what's happening before anyone climbs a ladder.
Get in touch
Call (775) 447-1254 or use the form to tell us what you're seeing, and we'll set up a time for me to come out.
I look with you
I check the crown, flashing, joints and flue with you, show you what I find and explain what each problem means for your house.
Your written estimate
I write the estimate myself, laying out what we'd fix, in what order and why, and saying plainly what can wait.
Work and walkthrough
If you go ahead, we protect your home and yard, do the work, then walk you through the finished chimney so you know what changed.
Questions about a step? Call and talk it through.
(775) 447-1254Chimney repair questions we hear
What does chimney repair cost in Reno?
Chimney repair in Reno usually costs about $600 to $7,000 per project. Where your job lands depends on how many parts need work, whether the flue is involved and how hard the chimney is to reach on your roof. The estimate lays out which of those your chimney needs.
What causes a chimney to leak into the ceiling?
A ceiling stain near the chimney usually means the flashing has lifted or corroded, so rain and snowmelt run straight down into the ceiling below. A cracked crown is the other common cause, because it lets water into the body of the chimney, where it finds its own way down. I check both, since fixing one and missing the other leaves you with the same stain.
Is a damaged chimney flue dangerous?
Yes, a damaged flue can leak combustion gases into your house, because the flue is the inner passage that carries smoke and gases up and out. That makes it a safety repair, not just a water one. If I see flue damage, I tell you right away and put it ahead of anything cosmetic.
How do I make my brick chimney safer in an earthquake?
You can make a brick chimney safer by capping it at the roof or ceiling, rebuilding it above the shoulder where it narrows, or replacing the firebox and chimney with a factory-built insert and metal flue, which are the options in FEMA's retrofit plans for masonry chimneys. The real choice is keeping your masonry or switching to a factory unit. I'll talk through which fits your house and how you use the fireplace.
Does a chimney need cleaning before a new flue liner goes in?
Yes, one liner maker's instructions call for a certified chimney sweep to clean the masonry chimney before the liner goes in. The same maker advises moving or covering furniture and rugs in the room, since chimneys are usually very sooty and dusty inside. Follow the instructions for whichever liner your chimney gets.
Does my chimney need a cap?
A cap is worth having, because it's the metal hood over the flue that keeps rain, snow, leaves and squirrels out of the chimney. If yours is missing or rusted through, it's a small fix that makes sense to do alongside any crown work.
Chimney repair in Reno and earthquake risk
The Reno, Tahoe and Carson City area is considered high for earthquake hazard and risk, because of where it sits geologically and its record of past and recent quakes. Federal guidance for homeowners lists chimney collapse as a common kind of damage to unreinforced masonry, which is brick laid without steel inside it, and older brick chimneys are usually built that way. That's no reason to panic. It's a reason to ask about the options in the earthquake question above while I'm already up on your roof.
We see the same older brick chimneys and winter wear on jobs in Sparks and Carson City, and we work across the cities around Reno, so if yours isn't listed, ask us.
Ask Anchorstone for a chimney estimate
Call (775) 447-1254 any day of the week, early morning to late evening, or send the form and I'll come take a look.