Chimney repair for Scranton and Wilkes-Barre homes

How it works

1. Call or send a request

   Tell us your town and what your chimney is doing.

2. We connect you

   Your call goes to an independent chimney or masonry contractor that serves Northeastern Pennsylvania.

3. They call you back

   They inspect the chimney and quote the repair directly.

Who is this for?

Homeowners in Scranton, Wilkes-Barre, Dunmore, Clarks Summit and the surrounding towns of Lackawanna and Luzerne counties. Northeastern Pennsylvania has a lot of older homes with brick chimneys, many of them serving oil, gas or coal furnaces and boilers as well as fireplaces and wood stoves. Long winters, freeze and thaw, and decades of use take a toll.

What are the signs a chimney needs repair?

• Crumbling or missing mortar between bricks
• Bricks flaking, cracking or popping their faces (spalling)
• A cracked or broken concrete crown on top
• Water stains on the ceiling or wall near the chimney
• A white powdery residue (efflorescence) on the brick
• Rust on the damper or firebox, or water in the fireplace
• Pieces of clay tile or masonry falling into the fireplace or cleanout
• A chimney that's leaning or pulling away from the house

Why do chimneys deteriorate so fast here?

• Freeze and thaw. The Scranton area averages about 39 inches of precipitation and about 45 inches of snow a year, with January averaging around 28°F. Water that soaks into brick and mortar freezes and expands, breaking the masonry apart a little more each winter.
• Age. Many homes in the region were built in the coal era, long before modern chimney standards. Older chimneys may have no liner, deteriorated clay tile liners or soft lime mortar.
• Flue gases. Combustion gases contain moisture and acids that condense inside a flue. Over time they can eat away at mortar and clay liners, especially in chimneys venting older furnaces and boilers.
• Missing caps and failed crowns. Without a cap and a sound crown, rain and snow go straight down the flue and into the top of the brickwork.

Is a cracked chimney dangerous?

It can be. Damaged liners and masonry can let heat, sparks and combustion gases, including carbon monoxide, reach the house framing or living space. Loose bricks at the top can fall. If you suspect a problem, stop using the fireplace or stove until it's inspected, keep working carbon monoxide alarms on every level of the home, and call for an inspection.

Does a chimney contractor need a license in Pennsylvania?

Pennsylvania doesn't issue a statewide chimney license, but contractors who do more than $5,000 a year in home improvements must register with the state Attorney General and put their registration number on contracts and estimates. You can look up any contractor's registration on the Attorney General's website. See the Northeastern PA chimney guide for the contract rules that protect you.

Is this a chimney company?

No. Scranton Chimney Repair is a referral service. We connect you with an independent chimney or masonry contractor that serves your address, and that company inspects, quotes, performs and warranties the work. Before you sign, read our tips for hiring a chimney contractor.

Areas we cover

• Scranton
• Wilkes-Barre
• Dunmore
• Clarks Summit and the Abingtons

Planning ahead? Read our Northeastern PA chimney guide.