How often should you clean your chimney? Both the NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) and Spisto recommend having your chimney inspected and cleaned once a year by a qualified professional. Regardless of the type of chimney, Carli recommends having your chimney swept at least once a year.

There are 7 signs your chimney needs repairs: Efflorescence or white staining, rust, deteriorating mortar joints, shaling, spalling, damaged wallpaper, and chimney crown damage.

While some chimney repair jobs can be completed in warmer weather, curing is often easier and more successful when the weather is chilly but not too hot, such as in late fall and early spring. Curing in the shade and away from humid winds will be necessary if you wait until warm weather.

How much does it cost to rebuild a chimney in Chicago? Chimney repairs cost around $400 to $800, while full chimney replacements average around $7,000 to $16,000.

A partial chimney rebuild averages between $1,000 and $3,000. However, it can cost up to $5,000 or more if the chimney is very large or has a complex design. You can expect to spend around $10,000 if you have to replace all before throwing another log on the fire.