Fireplace repair in Lake Forest, IL
The fireplace is the part you see. When something is off, we find out why and what it will take to fix it.
Fireplaces take a lot of heat and a lot of use, and the parts wear. A damper sticks or no longer seals. Firebrick cracks. Mortar falls out of the firebox. Or the fireplace simply smokes into the room and nobody can tell you why.
We repair wood-burning masonry fireplaces. When you call, tell us what is happening: where the smoke goes, what you hear and smell, what the firebox looks like. That helps us bring the right materials, and it helps us tell you honestly whether the fix is small or whether the real cause is higher up in the chimney.
Common fireplace problems we look at
- A damper that will not open, will not close or does not seal tight
- Cracked or missing firebrick and failing mortar in the firebox
- Smoke coming into the room instead of going up the flue
- Cold drafts coming down the chimney when the fireplace is not in use
- A chimney that smells of smoke or soot when the weather is humid
Why a fireplace might smoke
- The flue is dirty and restricted
- The damper is not fully open
- The flue is too small or too large for the fireplace opening
- The house is sealed so tightly that air cannot flow up the chimney
- Something is blocking the top, such as a nest or a cap with clogged mesh
Many fireplace problems turn out to be chimney problems, so we usually start with the whole system. If your fireplace is gas, please tell us on the phone so we can be straight about what we can help with. You may also want to read about chimney cleaning.
Questions we hear
Why does my fireplace smoke into the room?
Common causes are a dirty or blocked flue, a closed damper, or not enough air getting into the house. We find out which.
Can you fix a damper?
Often yes. Depending on the damage, a repair or replacement may be the better answer.
Is a cracked firebrick dangerous?
A few small cracks are common, but large gaps or missing sections expose the structure behind the brick to heat. We will check how serious it is.
Is it safe to use my fireplace right now?
If you smell strong gas, see flames outside the firebox or suspect a chimney fire, stop using it and call a professional. If you are unsure, call us and we will help you decide.
Other services
Tell us what you’re seeing
Leave your name, number and a few words about the chimney or fireplace. We read every request and call you back. If it is urgent, call us instead: (224) 271-0137.