Chimney Repair Services
4.8 Stars • 500+ Reviews • Family Owned since 1982
Expert Chimney Repair in Maryland, Virginia, and DC
A chimney doesn’t fail all at once. It’s usually a small sign first: a loose brick, a water stain near the fireplace, a smell you can’t quite place. Priddy Chimney Solutions has been diagnosing and repairing chimneys across the DMV region since 1982, and our approach starts with understanding the full scope of the problem before we recommend a fix.
What Sets Priddy Apart
- Since 1982: Over 40 years repairing chimneys across DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia.
- Family-Owned, Woman-Led: A locally-owned team, not a franchise or a lead-gen middleman passing your job to a sub.
- 4.8-Star Rated: Homeowners across the region trust us with repairs big and small.
- Full Inspection Before Any Repair: We don’t quote a fix without first understanding what caused the damage and whether it’s isolated or part of a larger issue.
- Licensed and Insured: MHIC #154840, DC HIC #420224000019, and fully bonded and insured across Maryland, DC, and Virginia.
How We Approach Chimney Repairs
Not every repair is straightforward, and not every fix is the same size. Here’s how we handle it:
- Full Inspection First: Before recommending anything, we assess the chimney’s overall condition, not just the symptom you called about. Mortar issues, for example, often point to a water intrusion problem somewhere else in the system.
- A Clear Conversation: We explain what we found, what caused it, and what it means for your chimney’s safety and lifespan.
- Options, Not a Single Fix: Repairs can often be approached a few different ways depending on budget and timeline. We lay those out rather than pushing one option.
- Phased Repairs When It Makes Sense: Urgent safety issues get prioritized. Cosmetic or lower-priority items can be scheduled for later if budget or timing is a factor.
- Itemized Estimates: Every estimate is itemized by scope of work, so you know what you’re paying for and why.
Why DMV Chimneys Need More Repairs Than You'd Expect
Chimneys across Maryland, DC, and Northern Virginia take a real beating from the region’s climate. Winters bring repeated freeze-thaw cycles that force open cracks in brick and mortar a little more each season. Older homes throughout the DMV, especially homes built before the 1960s, often have original crowns poured without expansion joints, which crack under decades of thermal movement. Heavily wooded neighborhoods keep masonry shaded and damp longer after storms, accelerating mortar breakdown and staining. None of this means something’s wrong with your home. It’s just that chimneys in this region need annual inspections to catch issues early and specialized attention from experts who understand how to properly address these problems.
Does Your Chimney Need Repairs?
A thorough inspection will help our team understand the extent of the damage and develop a customized estimate for repairing your chimney.
Common Chimney Repairs
Chimney Cap Installation and Replacement
A properly installed chimney cap keeps water, debris, and animals out of your chimney. Water intrusion can damage liners, dampers, and masonry, and animals can end up blocking your flue entirely. We install caps in stainless steel, copper, and custom designs to match your home.
Learn more about chimney cap installation.
Masonry Repairs
Brick and mortar deteriorate with weather exposure over time, leading to water leaks, structural damage, and heat loss. Our masonry repairs range from tuckpointing (replacing eroded mortar) to full rebuilds, matched to your existing structure.
Recent example: in Bethesda’s Huntington Terrace neighborhood, we tuckpointed a deteriorating chimney with mortar matched to the home’s original 1940s brick, replaced the crown, resealed the flashing, and repainted. Read the full project.
Learn more about Masonry Repairs.
Chimney Liner Replacement
Your chimney’s liner directs combustion byproducts safely out of your home and protects the chimney walls from heat and corrosion. When a liner cracks, shifts, or erodes, it’s a safety issue, not just a maintenance one. We install stainless steel liners to meet Maryland, DC, and Virginia fire code standards.
Learn more about chimney liner replacement.
Chase Cover Replacement
Chase covers sit atop factory-built or prefabricated chimneys and are prone to rust and corrosion over time. A failing chase cover can lead to water damage well beyond the chimney itself. We replace them with rust-resistant stainless steel or copper.
Learn more about Chase Cover Replacement.
Chimney Fan Installation
Poor draft can mean smoke spillage, reduced efficiency, and worse indoor air quality. A chimney fan installed at the top of the flue improves draft, and ours are built for quiet operation with adjustable control.
Learn more about chimney fan installation.
Chimney Rebuilds
Severe structural damage, or a desire for a fresh look, sometimes calls for a rebuild rather than a repair. This can be partial (the top portion exposed to the most weather) or a full rebuild from the foundation up, matched to your home’s architecture and built to code.
Recent example: for a homeowner in District Heights, we found a failing crown, an aging liner, and moisture damage limited to the upper chimney. Since the lower structure was sound, we recommended a partial rebuild rather than starting from scratch. Read the full project.
Learn more about chimney rebuilds
Chimney Flashing Repair
Flashing is the seal between your chimney and roof, and it’s one of the most common sources of leaks when it fails. We repair and replace flashing to keep water out of your home.
Learn more about chimney flashing repair.
Chimney Crown Repair
The crown caps the top of your chimney and sheds water away from the masonry below. A cracked or damaged crown is one of the most common ways water gets into a chimney system.
Learn more about chimney crown repair.
Customer Reviews
Schedule Your Chimney Repairs
If you’re noticing cracked masonry, water stains, smoke in the room, or anything that just doesn’t seem right, the right first step is a full inspection that identifies what’s actually causing it before we recommend a fix. Our team has been repairing chimneys across the DMV region since 1982.
To get in touch with us, call 301-530-4262 or request an appointment.
Request an Appointment
Frequently Asked Questions on Chimney Repair
How do I know if my chimney or fireplace needs repair? Cracked bricks or mortar, loose masonry, water stains near the fireplace, smoke entering the room, or a strong odor from the chimney are all signs worth having checked. These can point to structural deterioration, moisture problems, or blockages.
What types of chimney repairs are most common? Masonry repointing, crown repair, cap replacement, flashing repair, and firebox repairs are among the most frequent. Each addresses a different way water or wear can compromise the chimney.
Can cracks in a fireplace or chimney be dangerous? Yes. Cracks in the firebox, flue liner, or masonry can let heat, smoke, or gases escape into parts of the home where they shouldn’t be, increasing the risk of chimney fires or carbon monoxide exposure over time.
How often should a chimney be inspected? At least once a year. Regular inspections catch creosote buildup, structural damage, or ventilation issues before they become serious.
Can water damage affect my chimney? Yes, it’s one of the leading causes of chimney deterioration. Moisture entering through a cracked crown, damaged flashing, or a missing cap can lead to crumbling mortar, rust, and structural damage.
Should chimney repairs be done right immediately? In most cases, yes. Minor cracks or loose mortar tend to worsen with weather and heat cycles. Addressing them early usually means a smaller, less expensive repair.