Comprehensive Hearth & Firebox Repair
Fireplace Repair in
Vermont & New Hampshire
The fireplace is one of those features that makes a house feel like a home — especially through a long New England winter. But fireplaces take a real beating over the years. The heat is intense, the seasonal changes are hard on the masonry, and the internal components wear down over time. When something goes wrong, it usually shows itself pretty clearly: smoke backing into the room, a damper that won't fully open or close, mortar that's crumbled away inside the firebox, or bricks that are starting to break down.
Chimney Savers provides comprehensive fireplace repair across Vermont and New Hampshire. Whether your fireplace has been struggling for a season or has been sitting unused for years, we'll take an honest look at what's going on, explain what we find in plain terms, and take care of it — so you can get back to using it the way it was meant to be used.
Why Keeping Your
Fireplace in Good Shape Matters
A well-maintained fireplace operates quietly and efficiently — keeping your home warm without asking much in return. Here's what you protect when you stay on top of it.
Better Draft, Less Smoke
A properly working damper and a sealed smoke chamber keep airflow moving in the right direction — up and out through the flue, not back into your living room. Most smoke problems have a straightforward cause that's worth identifying and fixing.
More Heat From Every Fire
A damper that closes properly, a firebox that's sealed, and a flue that draws well all add up to better efficiency — more warmth in your home, less wood burned to get there.
Keeps the Heat Contained
Intact firebricks and sound refractory mortar inside the burning chamber are what keep the heat of the fire where it belongs — contained within the firebox rather than working toward the surrounding structure over time.
Prevents Moisture From Getting In
A fireplace that isn't sealing correctly can let moisture work its way into your home's walls and framing — often showing up as odors or dampness long before it's visible. Keeping the damper, mortar, and masonry in good shape closes that door.
Trusted by Your Neighbors
Quality work and attention to detail from a long-standing company. We had a large chimney project that completely replaced two damaged chimney flues, repaired the firebox in our fireplace, and remediated other chimney issues, and the Chimney Savers company and crew did a great job. The projected project start date and time length were precisely adhered to, the crew was knowledgeable and friendly — always receptive to questions with detailed explanations — and the crew's thorough daily clean-ups and overall relative cleanliness for an inherently 'dirty' job was a very pleasant surprise. Chimney Savers work is not cheap, but our experience shows you get what you pay for with Chimney Savers!
Adam Mann
Not sure if your fireplace needs repair?
Here are the most common warning signs to look out for.
Smoke Backing Into the Room
If smoke isn't drawing cleanly up the chimney, there's usually a draft issue at play — a stuck or partially closed damper, a cold flue that needs to warm up, or something blocking airflow higher in the chimney.
Smoky or Musty Odors When Not in Use
A persistent smell from the fireplace — especially during warm or humid weather — usually points to creosote mixing with moisture inside the flue. A damper that isn't sealing fully is often part of the picture.
A Damper That Won't Fully Open or Close
A damper that sticks, won't hold position, has rusted, or has come off its track entirely is one of the most common fireplace problems we see — and usually one of the more straightforward ones to fix.
Cracked or Broken Firebricks
Bricks inside the burning chamber that are visibly cracking, splitting, or starting to shed their faces are worth having looked at — the firebox lining takes the most direct heat exposure of anything in the system.
Crumbling Mortar Inside the Firebox
Mortar joints between the firebricks that are receding, turning sandy, or missing entirely are a sign the refractory lining needs attention.
Our Fireplace Repair Services
Fireplace problems don't all look the same, and neither do our repairs. Whether you're dealing with a damper that won't cooperate, a deteriorating firebox, or an insert that's lost its efficiency, we approach each as a specific repair with its own diagnosis — not a one-size-fits-all solution.
Fireplace Damper Repair
The damper controls airflow between your fireplace and the flue above it. When it's stuck open, your heated air escapes up the chimney all winter. When it won't open fully, you get smoke backing into the room. We repair warped, corroded, or broken throat dampers — and can replace older hardware with modern top-sealing dampers that form a tighter, more energy-efficient seal.
Fireplace Mortar Repair
The refractory mortar lining the inside of your firebox is specifically formulated to handle intense heat — and it's not something you can just patch with standard masonry products. When it cracks or crumbles, we remove the deteriorated material and pack in fresh high-heat refractory mortar, restoring a solid, heat-resistant interior that performs the way it should.
Firebox Repair
The firebricks that make up your burning chamber are built for heat, but they wear down over time. We replace cracked, spalling, or missing firebricks and rebuild the firebox structure so your fire burns cleanly, efficiently, and with the proper support around it.
Fireplace Insert Repair
Fireplace inserts are highly efficient, but they have their own specific maintenance and repair needs — gaskets, glass, draft components, and internal hardware that all wear over time. If your insert is struggling to draw properly, running less efficiently than it used to, or showing visible signs of wear, we diagnose the issue and handle the repair.
Chimney Liner Installation
Sometimes the right fix for a fireplace problem starts in the flue rather than the firebox. We install insulated stainless steel chimney liners to safely vent heat, gases, and smoke — improving both safety and draft performance.
Smoke Chamber Parging
The smoke chamber sits just above the damper and is one of the most overlooked components of a fireplace. Applying a smooth coat of refractory mortar to the chamber walls improves draft, reduces turbulence, and eliminates the smoke pockets that cause back-puffing and odors.
Regional Expertise
Expert Fireplace Repair Across Vermont & New Hampshire
Our fireplace repair crews work throughout Vermont and New Hampshire, handling everything from straightforward firebox mortar repair to complex smoke chamber restorations and damper replacements. We're experienced with the full range of fireplace construction common in this region from the large, open fireplaces in old Vermont farmhouses to more recent masonry fireplace installations.
We regularly serve homeowners in Burlington, Montpelier, Rutland, Stowe, Randolph, Lebanon, Hanover & Claremont, along with dozens of surrounding towns in both states. If you're not sure whether we cover your area, just reach out.
Ready to schedule your fireplace repair estimate?
Contact us today to get started.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if my firebox needs repair or a full rebuild?
The scope of repair depends on the extent of the deterioration. If you have a few cracked firebricks or isolated mortar erosion, targeted repair makes sense. When firebrick is spalling throughout the firebox, structural cracks are present, or the back wall has shifted, a full firebox rebuild is the appropriate repair. We assess this at the estimate stage and explain exactly what we're seeing and what we'd do if it were our fireplace.
Why does my fireplace smoke?
The most common cause of smoke backing into a room is a draft problem — the air column in the flue isn't moving strongly enough to carry smoke up and out. This can happen for several reasons: a damper that's stuck or only partially open, a cold flue that hasn't warmed up before you light the fire, a blockage somewhere in the chimney, or in tightly built homes, insufficient makeup air getting into the room to support the draft. In older homes, the flue may also be undersized relative to the fireplace opening. An inspection will identify the specific cause and the right fix.
Why does my fireplace smell bad?
A smoky or musty smell coming from the fireplace — especially during warm or humid weather when you're not using it — is almost always related to moisture mixing with creosote deposits inside the chimney. As humidity rises, it activates the smell of the soot and residue built up on the flue walls. A thorough chimney sweeping usually helps significantly, but if the smell persists, a damper that isn't sealing properly or a crown that's letting moisture in may be contributing to the problem. A top-sealing damper is one of the most effective long-term solutions for persistent fireplace odors.
Can animals get into my fireplace?
Yes — more commonly than most homeowners expect, particularly in spring and early summer when birds and small animals are actively nesting. Raccoons, squirrels, and chimney swifts are the most frequent visitors to uncapped flues. They can build nests above the damper, obstruct the draft, and occasionally find their way into the firebox itself. If you're hearing scratching, chirping, or rustling from the chimney, there's a reasonable chance something has moved in. A properly fitted chimney cap with mesh is the most reliable way to prevent it.
Can I use my fireplace if the damper is broken?
We'd recommend against it. If the damper is stuck open, you can technically still light a fire — but you'll lose significant heat up the chimney, and cold air will pour into the room whenever the fireplace isn't in use. If the damper won't open fully or is partially blocked, lighting a fire can push smoke into your living space rather than up the flue. Either way, damper repair is usually a straightforward fix and worth taking care of before your next fire.
How do I know if my firebox bricks need to be replaced?
The most visible signs are cracks running through the bricks themselves, chunks or faces of brick breaking off, and mortar joints between the bricks that have receded, crumbled, or gone missing entirely. Discoloration or white staining on the interior walls can also indicate moisture has been getting in. The firebricks and refractory mortar inside the burning chamber are what protect the surrounding structure from the heat of the fire — so if you're noticing any of those signs, it's worth having someone take a look before the next season.
Is it safe to use a fireplace with cracked firebrick?
Not without knowing the extent of the damage. Small surface cracks in firebrick are sometimes cosmetic, but deeper cracks or spalling that exposes the area behind the brick creates a path for heat to reach the surrounding structure. Failed fireplace mortar between bricks lets heat and combustion gases into areas they shouldn't reach. If you've noticed cracks or mortar deterioration, have it assessed before the next fire season.
Is it safe to use a fireplace with cracked firebrick?
Not without knowing the extent of the damage. Small surface cracks in firebrick are sometimes cosmetic, but deeper cracks or spalling that exposes the area behind the brick creates a path for heat to reach the surrounding structure. Failed fireplace mortar between bricks lets heat and combustion gases into areas they shouldn't reach. If you've noticed cracks or mortar deterioration, have it assessed before the next fire season.
What is a smoke chamber and why does it need repair?
The smoke chamber is the transitional space above the firebox opening and below the flue. Its job is to funnel smoke from the wide firebox opening into the narrower flue liner above. In many older fireplaces, the smoke chamber is constructed with corbeled brick that creates ledges where creosote accumulates. Over time, the mortar deteriorates, the surface becomes rough and inefficient, and creosote deposits become harder to remove. Smoke chamber restoration with a refractory material creates a smooth, sealed surface that improves draft and reduces creosote risk.
Can a damper be repaired, or does it need to be replaced?
It depends on the type and condition. Throat dampers that are stuck or stiff are sometimes repairable. Dampers that are warped, corroded through, or broken typically need replacement. In many cases, a Lock-Top Energy-Saving Damper is a better solution than a like-for-like replacement. It provides a tighter seal, reduces heat loss, and also functions as a chimney cap. We recommend the right fix based on what we find.
What is refractory mortar and why does it matter in fireplace repair?
Refractory mortar is a specialized, heat-resistant mortar formulated for areas that experience direct exposure to fire and high temperatures. Standard masonry mortar is not rated for the temperatures inside a firebox and will break down rapidly if used there. Using the right material in the firebox is not optional. We use appropriate refractory mortars and castable materials matched to the demands of the repair.