Storm, Fire & Emergency Chimney Repair in Central Florida

After a storm or a chimney fire, the first job is to make sure your home is safe. Then we find out what was damaged.

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(813) 797-5797

Safety First

We check whether the chimney is stable and whether the fireplace is safe to use before anything else.

Damage Documented

Photos and written findings that describe the damage and its likely cause, which you can share with your insurer.

Storm and Fire Damage

Wind, rain, lightning, fallen limbs and chimney fires each damage a chimney differently. We know what to look for.

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When It Is an Emergency

Some chimney problems can wait for a normal appointment. Others cannot. Call right away if you see any of these:

• The chimney is leaning, cracked through, or pulling away from the house

• Bricks, block or stucco have fallen onto the roof or the ground

• A tree or large limb has hit the chimney or the chase

• Water is pouring into the firebox or through the ceiling during rain

• The cap or chase cover has blown off

• Lightning struck the chimney or the roof nearby

• You think you have had a chimney fire

If there is active fire, smoke in the house, a carbon monoxide alarm, or a smell of gas, get everyone out and call 911 first. Stay out from under a damaged chimney. Do not climb onto the roof, and do not light the fireplace until the chimney has been checked.

What Florida Storms Do to Chimneys

The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30, and summer thunderstorms are frequent through the rainy season. High wind lifts and tears off chimney caps, chase covers and flashing. Wind-driven rain gets into joints that stay dry in normal weather. Flying debris dents metal caps and cracks crowns. Lightning can crack masonry and damage flue liners from the inside, sometimes with little sign on the outside.

Factory-built chimneys have their own weak points: the framed chase can shift, siding can be torn away, and a lifted chase cover lets water straight into the framing. In coastal areas, flood water or storm surge that reaches a fireplace can leave salt and debris behind that corrode metal parts over the following months.

Chimney Fires

A chimney fire happens when creosote inside the flue ignites. A fast-burning chimney fire is loud: people describe cracking and popping, a low roar like a freight train, dense smoke, and an intense hot smell. Slow-burning chimney fires can happen without anyone noticing and still cause serious damage.

The Chimney Safety Institute of America lists signs a sweep looks for after a chimney fire, including:

• Puffy or honeycombed creosote

• Warped metal on the damper, the smoke chamber connector pipe, or a factory-built chimney

• Cracked or collapsed flue tiles, or tiles with large chunks missing

• A discolored or distorted rain cap

• Creosote flakes on the roof or ground

• Roofing material damaged by hot creosote

• Cracks in the exterior masonry

• Smoke escaping through mortar joints

Do not use the fireplace again until it has been inspected. After a chimney fire, the standard step is a Level 2 inspection, including a camera inspection of the whole flue. Damaged clay tile liners often need a new liner, and factory-built chimney parts damaged by fire generally have to be replaced.

Documenting Damage for Insurance

If you plan to file a claim, take your own photos of the chimney, the roof around it and any damage inside before anything is moved, as long as you can do it safely from the ground or indoors. We provide photos and written findings that describe what was damaged and what most likely caused it. We cannot tell you what your policy covers or what your insurer will decide, but clear documentation of the damage and its cause helps the process.

What Affects the Cost of Emergency Repair

• The extent of the damage: a replaced cap is a small job, a rebuilt chimney top is a large one.

• Whether the flue liner was damaged and needs replacement.

• Masonry or factory-built, and the availability of manufacturer parts.

• Whether temporary weather protection is needed before permanent repairs.

• Related damage to roofing, framing or interiors, which may need other trades.

When It Can Wait

Not every storm problem is an emergency. A small water stain after one storm, with no active dripping and nothing loose or leaning, can wait for a regular appointment. Our chimney leak repair page covers that kind of problem. The same goes for a cap that is slightly bent but still attached. Book an inspection, but you do not need to pay for rush service.

Before the Next Storm

A few steps before storm season can prevent a lot of damage: have the cap and chase cover checked for rust and loose fasteners, trim limbs that hang over the chimney, and take a few photos of the chimney in good condition so you have a record for any future claim. Storms also damage dryer vent hoods on outside walls; if yours was bent or blocked, see our dryer vent repair page. For general repairs, visit our chimney repair page, or call (813) 797-5797.

Areas we serve: our offices in Tampa, Clearwater, St. Petersburg, Seminole, Riverview, Spring Hill, Lakeland and Orlando, plus the Tampa Bay area, greater Orlando, Sarasota, Venice, Port Charlotte, Fort Myers and Naples.

★ FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Not until the chimney has been checked if there is any sign of damage: a missing cap, cracks, fallen masonry, or water in the firebox. Debris or nests can also block the flue after a storm.

Signs can include loose or scattered bricks, cracks, scorch marks, a damaged cap, or debris in the firebox. Lightning damage to a flue liner may not be visible from outside, which is why a camera inspection is recommended.

No. Even a chimney fire that went out on its own can crack flue tiles or warp metal parts. Have the chimney inspected before the next fire.

We provide photos and written findings that you can share with your insurer or adjuster. Coverage decisions are between you and your insurance company.

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Why Homeowners Call Us After Storm or Fire Damage

Clear findings when you need them

After damage, you need to know two things fast: is my home safe, and what exactly was damaged. We answer both.

We check safety and stability first, before discussing repairs.

We document the damage and its likely cause with photos and written findings.

We separate what must be fixed now from what can be scheduled.

What Happens When You Call After Damage

Make it safe, find the damage, then repair it

Emergency repairs are rushed by nature. We still take the time to find all of the damage, not just the part you can see from the yard.

Call Us: Describe what happened and what you can see. If there is fire, smoke in the house or a collapse, call 911 first.

Safety Check: Stability of the chimney, loose masonry, and whether the fireplace can be used.

Weather Protection: Where it can be done safely, we cover the chimney top or opening to keep rain out until repairs.

Full Inspection: Usually a Level 2 inspection with a camera through the flue after a storm or chimney fire.

Documentation: Photos and written findings of the damage and its likely cause.

Repair Plan and Quote: What has to be fixed now and what can be scheduled.

Permanent Repair: Rebuild, replace or reline as needed, then a final check.