Fireplace Repair
4.8 Stars • 500+ Reviews • Family Owned since 1982
Fireplace Repair in Washington DC, Maryland & Virginia
Fireplace repair often starts with a symptom rather than a known problem: smoke where it shouldn’t be, a gas fireplace that won’t stay lit, char on your gas logs or fireplace surround, or simply a system that just doesn’t operate the way it once did. Priddy Chimney Solutions has been diagnosing and repairing fireplaces across Maryland, Northern Virginia, and Washington D.C. since 1982.
Start With What You're Noticing
You don’t need to know what’s actually wrong before calling. Our team can ask a few additional questions to better understand what you’re experiencing and what may need to be evaluated while scheduling your appointment.
My Fireplace Is Smoking Into the Room
Smoke that enters the living space instead of drawing up the chimney is dangerous, even if it only happens occasionally. Potential causes include a closed or malfunctioning damper, creosote buildup restricting the flue, a blocked chimney (debris, a nest, or a collapsed liner), issues from a tightly sealed home, or a flue that’s too short or improperly sized for the fireplace. The actual cause isn’t something we’d guess at over the phone, but knowing the pattern (does it happen right when you light a fire, only in certain wind conditions, or every time) helps us prepare for the visit.
My Gas Fireplace Won’t Start
A gas fireplace that won’t ignite, stay lit, or operate consistently can have several possible causes. This can involve a failed thermocouple or thermopile, a pilot light that won’t stay lit, an ignitor issue, a gas valve problem, low battery or wiring issues in a remote-controlled unit, or a safety shutoff that’s been triggered by something else in the system. Because these components vary by manufacturer and model, identifying the specific fireplace is an important part of diagnosing the problem.
Something Inside My Fireplace Is Cracked or Damaged
This can include firebrick, refractory panels, damper components, fireplace doors, screens, glass, or other visible interior parts. Not all wear is equally serious. Hairline cracks in refractory panels are common and often not urgent, while wide cracks, missing chunks, or crumbling mortar can affect whether the fireplace should keep being used.
My Fireplace Smells Different
A persistent or unusual odor, whether the fireplace is running or just sitting unused, can point to a few different things: creosote buildup, water intrusion, debris or an animal in the chimney, or in some cases a gas odor that warrants immediate attention rather than a scheduled visit.
My Fireplace Works, Just Not Like It Used To
Weaker performance, inconsistent operation, new noises, controls that have become difficult to use can all indicate that something within the fireplace or venting system has changed. Sometimes this traces back to worn gaskets or seals, buildup inside the system, or even changes elsewhere in the home, like new insulation or HVAC work, that affect how air moves through the fireplace.
Can I Keep Using My Fireplace?
This is usually the first question homeowners have once they notice something’s off. The answer depends on the type of problem you’re experiencing. While we can’t determine whether your specific fireplace is safe to use without evaluating it, some warning signs are more urgent than others.
Stop Using the Fireplace Until It’s Evaluated
Other signs point to something that could affect safe operation, not just performance, and warrant holding off until the fireplace has been evaluated:
- Smoke consistently entering the room — this usually means combustion byproducts aren’t venting the way they should, which can also mean carbon monoxide isn’t either.
- Visible damage inside the firebox — cracked firebrick, crumbling mortar, or damaged refractory panels can let heat or flame reach materials they were never meant to contact.
- Any gas odor — this should never wait for a scheduled appointment. Stop using the fireplace and treat it as urgent.
- Broken or displaced components — a shifted panel, a loose door, or a damaged damper can change how the fireplace handles heat and airflow in ways that aren’t always visible from the outside.
- A gas fireplace repeatedly shutting itself off — repeated shutdowns can indicate that a safety control is responding to a problem that needs to be diagnosed.
- A significant change in flame behavior — color, height, or shape changes can indicate a combustion or venting problem, not just a cosmetic one.
- Components that have become loose or detached — anything that’s shifted out of place may no longer provide the clearance or protection it’s designed for.
If you’re unsure what the issue is, it’s better to stop using your fireplace while you wait for an evaluation.
What We May Be Able to Repair
Our crews have spent decades repairing fireplaces in the DMV. How issues get resolved depends heavily on the manufacturer, model, age, and whether replacement parts are still available. Our team will talk you through what we find, explain the available repair options, and let you know when replacement or a fireplace conversion may make more sense.
Inside a Wood-Burning Fireplace
- Firebrick
- Firebox mortar
- Damper components
- Grates
- Screens
Inside a Factory-Built Fireplace
- Refractory panels
- Glass
- Screens
- Manufacturer-specific components
Inside a Gas Fireplace
- Pilot and ignition components
- Burners
- Controls
- Blowers
- Glass
Outside Your Fireplace
- Mantels
- Doors
- Screens
- Surrounds
Not Sure If It's Worth Repairing?
An in-home evaluation lets us see exactly what’s going on and give you a straight answer on repair, replacement, or conversion.
Sometimes the Fireplace Tells Us More Once We Open It Up
A homeowner might call about one visible problem, and once we’re actually evaluating the fireplace, we may find that the issue is more or less involved than it first appeared. The damaged component might be isolated and straightforward to replace. Several components might be reaching the end of their service life around the same time. A part that’s needed might no longer be manufactured. A previous repair might have used materials that weren’t compatible with the system. Or the visible problem might turn out to be a symptom of something else, not the actual failure itself.
That’s why we don’t determine a repair from a photo, a symptom description, or a phone call alone when the cause isn’t already clear. Some problems require getting past what’s visible from the room: a video scan of the flue interior, a look behind the firebox, or in more involved cases, accessing concealed areas of the chimney system to see what’s actually happening. Our CSIA-certified (Chimney Safety Institute of America) technicians are trained to evaluate the entire system, not just the fireplace itself, so we can identify the actual root cause instead of patching over a symptom.The fireplace, venting, and chimney all work together, which is why diagnosing the source of a problem sometimes requires evaluating more than the component where the symptom first appeared.
The Part Nobody Wants to Hear: Sometimes Repair Isn't the Best Investment
Homeowners usually call because they want the fireplace repaired, and in many cases, that’s exactly what makes sense. In others, continuing to repair an aging system may not be the best long-term investment, and we’ll explain why if that’s what we find.
Repair Usually Makes Sense When…
The problem is isolated, replacement parts are readily available, the rest of the fireplace is in good condition, and the repair restores normal operation without requiring substantial additional work.
Replacement May Deserve a Conversation When…
The fireplace is approaching or beyond its expected service life, multiple components are failing around the same time, manufacturer-approved parts have been discontinued, repair costs start approaching replacement costs, or you already want different performance or easier day-to-day operation.
Conversion May Be the Better Path When…
Your existing fireplace no longer matches how you actually want to use it, such as when you’re looking for greater convenience, less maintenance, or a different heating experience. Learn more about fireplace conversions, including gas fireplace conversions and electric fireplace installation.
Our goal is to give you a clear understanding of the condition of your fireplace and the options that make sense based on what we find.
One Fireplace Problem, Diagnosed
Bethesda, MD A homeowner had recently paid to have their chimney flue relined by another company, but still kept smelling gas in the house afterward, and their upstairs gas log fireplace wasn’t performing right either. Once we looked at the full system, we found that the new liner wasn’t causing the problem. The fireplace was missing a code-required damper designed specifically for gas logs. This type of damper maintains a small vent opening so gas can continue to vent rather than entering the room.
We installed the correct damper, cleaned up the firebox, and repositioned the burner, which had been set too far forward and was overheating the logs. The fireplace now vents properly, runs at the right heat output, and the gas smell is gone.
Customer Reviews
What Will My Fireplace Repair Cost?
Fireplace repair pricing varies more than most services, because “fireplace repair” could mean replacing one readily available part, or diagnosing several problems in a decades-old system. The estimate depends on your fireplace type, manufacturer and model, age, which component failed, whether parts are still available, how much labor it takes to access the component, and whether additional problems are identified during the evaluation.
Before Your Fireplace Repair Appointment
If you have it available, a little information about your fireplace and the problem you’re experiencing can help our team prepare for the appointment: your fireplace’s manufacturer, model number, approximate age, when the problem started, what happens when you try to use it, whether it happens every time or only sometimes, any previous repairs, and photos of visible damage if applicable.
For gas fireplaces, the manufacturer and model information is often printed on a data plate near the control panel or along the inside edge of the firebox.
Please don’t take the fireplace apart yourself to locate a problem or find a model number. That’s exactly the kind of thing we can identify safely during the appointment.
Fireplace Experience That Goes Beyond Replacing Parts
Since 1982 We’ve worked with fireplace systems across multiple generations of products and construction styles.
CSIA-Certified Technicians Our team’s certification through the Chimney Safety Institute of America means diagnosis isn’t limited to the fireplace appliance itself. We also consider how the chimney and venting system may be affecting fireplace performance and safety.
Repair, Replacement & Conversion Options We’re not limited to one outcome. Depending on what we find, the conversation can be about repairing what you have, replacing an aging unit, or exploring a different type of fireplace altogether.
Family-Owned & Woman-Led We’ve served homeowners and businesses throughout Maryland, Virginia, and Washington D.C. since 1982, and we bring that same standard of care to every repair call.
Schedule Your Fireplace Repair
The right fix for your fireplace depends on what’s actually wrong, your fireplace type, its age, and what an evaluation turns up once we can see it firsthand. The first step is getting your fireplace looked at by someone who can tell you honestly what’s going on and what it’ll take to fix it. Our team has been repairing fireplaces across the DMV region since 1982.
Call us at 301-530-4262 or request an appointment online.
Request an Appointment
Fireplace Repair Questions We Hear Most Often
Can you repair an older fireplace? Often, yes, though the answer depends on the specific system and whether parts are still available. We’ll give you a straight answer during your evaluation rather than assuming it’s too old before we’ve looked at it.
Can cracked firebrick be repaired? In many cases, individual bricks or sections of firebox mortar can be repaired or replaced without needing to rebuild the entire firebox. How much work that involves depends on the extent of the damage.
Can refractory panels be replaced? Yes, in most factory-built fireplaces, though the replacement panel needs to match your specific manufacturer and model to maintain the fireplace’s safety rating.
Why does my gas fireplace keep shutting off? This can point to a handful of different causes depending on the fireplace, which is why we diagnose the system directly rather than guessing from a description over the phone.
Can you repair a fireplace if I don’t know the manufacturer? Yes. We can often identify the manufacturer and model during our evaluation, even if you don’t have that information on hand.
What happens if replacement parts have been discontinued? We’ll let you know what alternatives exist, whether that’s a compatible part, a broader repair, or a conversation about replacement.
Is my fireplace too old to repair? Not necessarily. Age matters, but it’s one factor among several, including parts availability and the overall condition of the system.
How do I know whether repair or replacement makes more sense? That depends on the condition of the fireplace, the repair that’s needed, parts availability, and the overall age of the system. We’ll walk you through what we find and the realistic options available.
Can you repair a fireplace another company installed? Yes.
Should I stop using my fireplace until it’s repaired? It depends on what you’re noticing. Some issues can wait for a scheduled appointment; others mean the fireplace should remain unused until it’s evaluated. If you’re unsure, it’s best to wait.