What to do after a chimney fire

Right now: safety first

If the fire department has already responded, follow their instructions about when it is safe to stay in the house. Then:

• Do not relight the fireplace or stove, and leave gas appliances that vent into the chimney off until the chimney has been evaluated. Check with the fire department or your gas utility if you are unsure.
• Keep the damper and any glass doors in the position the firefighters left them.
• Keep an eye on the walls and ceilings around the chimney for heat, smoke or discoloration over the next hours. If you notice any, call 911.
• Make sure your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms are working.

Why you should not use it until it is inspected

The Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) advises not using a chimney after a fire until it has been swept and evaluated by a qualified chimney professional, because the flue may have joint failure, metal fatigue or structural cracking that is not visible from outside or inside.

CSIA's white paper on chimney fires explains why. Clay flue tiles heat unevenly during a chimney fire, and that thermal shock cracks them. Once the liner is cracked or its joints are open, heat from the next fire can reach the masonry and nearby wood framing, and smoke and carbon monoxide can escape. Metal liners and factory-built chimneys can buckle, separate or lose insulation value.

A chimney that came through one fire with hidden damage is at greater risk the next time it is used.

Document before cleaning

Evidence of a chimney fire can be removed during sweeping. CSIA recommends asking your sweep to photograph damaged sections and creosote deposits before cleaning starts, noting that this documentation helps an insurance adjuster process a claim.

You can also take your own photos of:

• The fireplace, damper and firebox as they are.
• Creosote flakes on the hearth, roof, gutters or ground.
• The chimney top and cap, from the ground.
• Any interior damage: smoke staining, cracked plaster, heat marks.
• The fire department's incident number, if they responded.

Keep a simple timeline: when you noticed the fire, what you heard and saw, when it went out, and who you contacted.

Insurance: what to know

CSIA states that most chimney fire damage is covered under homeowner's insurance, and its white paper describes chimney fire damage as generally falling under a policy's fire coverage. Policies differ, so read yours and contact your insurer or agent early.

A few practical points:

• Report the fire to your insurer promptly and ask how they want the damage documented.
• Ask whether the adjuster wants to see the chimney before any repair work. Making the chimney safe and inspecting it is different from starting repairs.
• Keep copies of all reports, photos and estimates.
• Insurance decisions belong to the insurer. A chimney company can document conditions; it cannot tell you what your policy will cover.

More detail in Chimney damage and homeowner's insurance.

What the inspection involves

CSIA describes a Level 2 inspection as the level called for after an operating malfunction or an external event that could have damaged the chimney. CSIA's guidance on what to expect after a fire describes a two-part process: professional sweeping, then a video inspection that checks flue tile integrity, mortar joints and metal components for separation, warping or buckling.

1. PhotographDocument damage and deposits before cleaning.
2. SweepRemove creosote so the liner surface can be seen.
3. Video scanExamine the full length of each affected flue.
4. Check the restDamper, smoke chamber, firebox, cap, crown, roofing and, where accessible, the attic and framing around the chimney.
5. ReportFindings with photos and repair options.

If the evaluation suggests heat may have reached concealed framing, a Level 3 inspection that opens part of the structure may be recommended. See Chimney inspection levels 1, 2 and 3.

Common repairs after a chimney fire

CSIA notes that repairs after a chimney fire can range from replacing a few flue tiles to installing a new liner system or rebuilding the whole chimney. Which applies depends on what the inspection finds.

Ask for written repair recommendations based on the documented damage, and keep them with your insurance records.

Choosing who evaluates and repairs it

After a fire, you may hear from several contractors, and your insurer may suggest one. Whoever you choose, a few things are reasonable to expect:

• An evaluation before any repair is proposed, with photos of what was found.
• A clear explanation of which damage is attributed to the fire and which is older wear, since insurers often ask.
• Written repair options that match the damage and the appliance you intend to use.
• Product information for any liner or resurfacing system, including the manufacturer's installation requirements.
• An honest note about anything that could not be inspected.

CSIA also suggests getting written estimates and notes that the scope depends on the extent of damage, the difficulty of the repair and the materials needed. Compare proposals on scope, not only on the bottom line.

Preventing another one

Chimney fires start when creosote ignites. CSIA's message is that clean chimneys don't catch fire. After repairs:

• Have the chimney inspected every year and swept when deposits build up.
• Burn only dry, seasoned firewood. US EPA Burn Wise recommends splitting, covering and drying wood for at least six months.
• Avoid smoldering fires with the air turned down.
• Never burn trash, cardboard or Christmas tree branches.

See Creosote: stages, risk and removal and Burning the right firewood.

Next step

Our chimney fire damage inspection starts with an assessment and photo documentation before cleaning, followed by a camera inspection when the flue allows. You receive findings with photos before any repair is scheduled. Until then, keep the fireplace and connected appliances out of service. Request service, and a team member will contact you to confirm a time.

Questions homeowners ask

Sources

1. CSIA: After a Chimney Fire
2. CSIA: Preventing Chimney Fires
3. CSIA: Chimney Fires: Causes, Effects & Evaluation (white paper)
4. CSIA: The Three Levels of Chimney Inspections
5. US EPA Burn Wise: Burn the Right Wood, the Right Way (tip sheet)
6. US Consumer Product Safety Commission: Carbon Monoxide Information Center

This guide is general information. It can't diagnose a specific chimney; an inspection can.