Sweep & inspection
Caps & crowns
Flue relining
Masonry repair
Gas fireplace serviceLevel 1 sweep and inspection to the NFPA 211 annual standard - flue, crown, cap, and flashing checked and photographed
Chimney sweep logs do not sweep chimneys. They loosen some creosote - which then falls where a brush and vacuum still have to collect it.
Trusted Chimney Repair for Ventura Homeowners
Chimney repair in Ventura means fixing the parts of your chimney that keep fire and exhaust where they belong: the flue liner, the masonry, the cap, the flashing, and the crown. Most repair work falls into a clear price range, and we’ll give you a written estimate before any work begins. Since 2011, our technicians have handled everything from cracked flue tiles to full liner replacement across Ventura, and we answer the phone around the clock. Call (877) 798-8581 if you suspect a problem – a quick look can tell you whether it’s urgent or can wait.
Ken Hanson built this company on a simple idea: diagnose first, recommend only what the camera shows, and use materials that certified chimney professionals actually specify. That means HeatShield resurfacing when a liner is deteriorated, DuraFlex when it’s beyond saving, and honest answers when the repair can safely wait a season. No scare tactics, no mystery pricing.
Chimney Cap Installation
Chimney Cap Installation is the process of adding a protective metal or masonry cap on top of your chimney to keep rain, animals, and debris out of the flue. In Ventura, an uncapped chimney is an open invitation to birds, squirrels, and the occasional soaking from winter rain, which can accelerate liner damage and create musty smells. We’ll measure your flue, recommend a cap rated for your appliance and fuel type, and install it securely with the proper fasteners. Typical cap installation runs $250 to $650 depending on the flue size and cap material.
What a Cap Actually Does
A cap does more than keep out raccoons. The right cap with proper mesh prevents spark escape while maintaining draft, which matters during Ventura’s dry, windy months. An improperly sized or unmounted cap can restrict airflow, so the measurement matters as much as the part.
When We Recommend One
You need a cap if you hear animals in the flue, smell moisture from the fireplace, or see staining on the ceiling near the chimney chase. We can also cap unused flues to stop heat loss and prevent condensation inside abandoned liners.
Styles & brands we work with
- Sweep & inspection
- Caps & crowns
- Flue relining
- Masonry repair
- Gas fireplace service
Chimney Cap Replacement
Chimney Cap Replacement is swapping out a rusted, bent, or storm-damaged cap for a correctly sized new one. Coastal-adjacent and inland Ventura homes alike see caps corrode over time, especially around the weld points and mesh. We source caps from Olympia Chimney and Gelco, the same suppliers used by certified installers, and we match the replacement to your existing flue configuration. Expect $200 to $500 for most replacements.
Rust and Impact Damage
Hail is uncommon in Ventura, but wind-blown debris and falling limbs can dent a cap enough to block draft. A rusted cap that’s losing its mesh is also a spark hazard. If the cap looks rough from the ground, it’s worth a roof-level inspection.
Replacement vs. Upgrade
When a cap fails, we don’t just swap identical parts. We check whether the current cap was ever the right size, whether the mesh was clogged, and whether a different style would serve your appliance better. The replacement gets selected for function, not just fit.
Chimney Liner Installation
Chimney Liner Installation is putting a new flue lining inside the existing chimney structure, typically a DuraFlex flexible stainless steel system. You need this when the original clay tile liner has cracked, spalled, or is missing sections, which lets heat and combustion gases reach combustible framing. We pull permits where required, size the liner to the appliance, and insulate it properly. A typical liner installation in Ventura runs $2,800 to $6,500 depending on height, access, and whether insulation is required.
When Restoration Isn’t Enough
HeatShield ceramic resurfacing can restore many liners without a full replacement, and we try that path first when the damage is limited. But when tiles are missing, severely offset, or the flue is undersized for the appliance, a new liner is the code-compliant answer. DuraFlex handles offsets and aged masonry that rigid liners cannot.
What the Job Involves
We start with a camera inspection, document the existing flue, then lower and fit the new liner with proper top and bottom terminations. The result is a continuous, insulated passage from appliance to cap. We don’t skip the insulation, and we explain why it matters for draft and clearance.
Chimney Flashing Repair
Chimney Flashing Repair addresses the metal seam where the chimney meets the roof, the most common source of chimney-related leaks in Ventura. Over time, flashing lifts, corrodes, or gets torn by wind, and water follows the gap straight down the chase. We remove old flashing where possible, replace step and counter-flashing, and seal the transition properly. Most flashing repairs run $350 to $900.
Leaks Show Up Far From the Chimney
Water entering at the flashing may stain ceilings in a different room entirely. If you see stains near the fireplace, along the chase, or even at the baseboards on the chimney wall, have the flashing inspected before assuming it’s a roof problem.
Caulk Is Not a Repair
A bead of sealant over failing flashing is temporary at best. We cut in new metal where the old flashing is compromised, not just reseal the surface. That’s the difference between fixing the leak and postponing it a season.
Chimney Crown Repair
Chimney Crown Repair fixes the concrete or mortar slab that caps the chimney masonry itself. A cracked or spalling crown lets water soak into the chimney structure, which is the fastest way to destroy brick and mortar from the inside. We resurface crowns with a proper, flexible crown coat and rebuild them when the damage is structural. Typical crown work runs $400 to $1,200.
Small Cracks, Big Problems
Hairline cracks in a crown widen with every rain and can freeze-spall (even in mild climates, saturated masonry degrades from wet-dry cycling). A crown that’s shedding chunks of concrete onto the roof is past time for repair.
We Rebuild, Not Just Patch
Where the crown has lost shape or sheds water the wrong way, we re-form it with a slope that directs water away from the flue. We use crown-specific materials, not standard mortar, because masonry cement can’t flex the way a chimney crown must.
Chimney Repair Companies
Chimney Repair Companies in Ventura range from sweep-only services to full masonry and liner contractors, and it matters which kind you call. A sweep who only removes soot can’t install a DuraFlex liner or resurface a flue with HeatShield. We’re one company that handles the sweep, the diagnosis, and the repair without handing you to another crew. Repair pricing depends entirely on what the inspection finds – most repair jobs fall between $250 and $6,500.
What to Look For
Look for a company that shows you the damage before recommending the fix. We run a camera and show you exactly what we see. No one should quote a liner replacement without a documented flue inspection, and no one should patch flashing and call it done if the crown is the actual leak source.
Why We’re Different
Our repair work uses the same supply brands – HeatShield, Olympia Chimney, Famco – that certified chimney professionals reference nationwide. That’s a material sourcing decision, not a marketing line. It means the liner we install is the liner a certified contractor would pick.
Chimney Masonry Repair
Chimney Masonry Repair is structural work on the brick, block, or stone of the chimney itself: tuckpointing, brick replacement, rebuilding the top courses, and repairing cracks in the chimney body. Ventura’s older homes often have original masonry that’s held up well but needs joint work after 40 or 50 years. We match mortar by color and hardness, replace spalled brick, and restore solid bearing. Tuckpointing typically runs $15 to $30 per square foot; partial rebuilds start around $800 and go up with height and access.
Mortar Joints Fail First
The joints go before the brick. You’ll see crumbling mortar on the shoulder of the chimney, missing material between bricks, or a whitish crust (efflorescence) that signals water moving through the wall. Repointing the joints before they deepen keeps the chimney standing straight and stops water from getting deeper.
We Match the Original Work
Modern mortar is often harder than the brick it holds, which causes exactly the damage we’re called to fix. We select mortar based on the age and type of your masonry, so the repair doesn’t create new problems in the brick around it.
Brands We Service
We work with HeatShield ceramic flue resurfacing systems and know where they succeed and when a liner has gone too far to restore. The camera tells us which situation you have. HeatShield restoration can often return a deteriorated clay liner to service for a fraction of the price of a full liner replacement, and we’ve used it in Ventura homes ranging from 1950s ranches to newer track construction.
Where a liner must be replaced, we install DuraFlex flexible stainless systems, which handle offset flues and aged masonry that a rigid liner can’t follow. We also keep a running knowledge of what wears out on Olympia Chimney caps and Famco termination products so we can spot a failing cap before it lets water into the chase. Whether you have a stainless liner, a clay tile flue, or a factory-fabricated cap, we can tell you what’s working and what needs attention.
See the difference
Before
After
Before
After
Before
AfterSigns You Need a Pro Right Now
- You smell smoke in the house after the fire is lit. Smoke drifting down when the flue is open points to a draft problem, a damaged liner, or a blockage. It also means combustion gases are finding a path into living space, which you don’t want to wait on.
- Water stains appear near the fireplace or on the chimney wall. This usually traces to flashing, crown, or cap failure. The longer water runs inside the chimney cavity, the more damage it does to flue tiles, framing, and drywall.
- Mortar is crumbling onto the roof or the hearth. Missing joints invite water and compromise the chimney’s structural stability. It’s easier to repoint early than to rebuild a leaning stack later.
- You see white staining on the outside of the brick. Efflorescence means water is passing through the masonry and carrying salts to the surface. It’s an indicator of water entry, not a cosmetic issue.
- Animals keep getting into the flue. Birds, squirrels, and raccoons leave nests, droppings, and carcasses that block draft and create a serious odor and sanitation problem. A cap fixes it permanently.
Our Process, Step by Step
- 1
We answer and schedule. Call (877) 798-8581 and we’ll ask what you’re seeing or hearing from the chimney. We answer 24/7. Fast dispatch from 7am to 7pm, Sunday through Friday.
- 2
We inspect everything above and below. The technician runs a camera through the flue, checks the crown, cap, flashing, and masonry from the roof, and inspects the firebox and damper from inside. You get a full condition report, not a quick visual glance.
- 3
We show you the findings. You see the camera footage yourself. We explain what’s typical wear, what’s dangerous, what needs attention now, and what can wait. No recommendation is made without evidence you can see.
- 4
We quote the repair honestly. You get a written estimate with the work itemized. The estimate is free. The price on the estimate is the price, no surprise extras unless we uncover something that requires a change and we talk it through with you first.
- 5
We complete the repair and leave it clean. Whether it’s a new cap, flashing replacement, HeatShield resurfacing, or a DuraFlex liner, we finish the job, clean the work area, and photograph the completed work so you have a record.
How Much Does Chimney Repair Cost in Ventura?
A typical chimney cap installation or replacement in Ventura runs $250 to $650. Flashing repair is usually $350 to $900, and a crown repair lands between $400 and $1,200. Liner work is the bigger ticket: HeatShield resurfacing often falls between $2,000 and $4,000, while a full DuraFlex liner installation runs $2,800 to $6,500. Masonry work like tuckpointing runs $15 to $30 per square foot, and partial rebuilds start around $800.
What moves the price? Height and roof access matter most. A two-story chimney on a steep pitch costs more to work on safely than a single-story chase with easy ladder access. The type and age of your existing liner also matters – older flues sometimes need more prep before a new liner goes in. Condition of the masonry, the cap, and the crown all factor into whether you’re repairing one thing or several.
How to avoid overpaying: get a camera inspection before approving liner work, and ask to see the footage. Don’t pay for a full rebuild when the joints just need repointing. And don’t accept a flashing patch when the crown is cracked above it – fix the top of the chimney first, then the transition to the roof. Our free estimate includes the inspection, camera documentation, and a written line-item price.
Our Service Area Near Ventura
We repair chimneys throughout Ventura and the surrounding communities, including Oxnard, Camarillo, Santa Paula, Port Hueneme, El Rio, Ojai, Oak View, Mira Monte, Meiners Oaks, Channel Islands Beach, and Carpinteria. Response times vary by distance and the day’s schedule, but most repair calls within Ventura proper get a same-day visit when the situation calls for it. We answer 24/7. Fast dispatch from 7am to 7pm, Sunday through Friday. If it’s urgent, say so when you call and we’ll prioritize it.
Serving Ventura, CA – Our Local Coverage Area
We serve Ventura and nearby communities. Use the map below to see the area we cover. If you’re nearby, we can almost certainly help.
Frequently Asked Questions About Chimney Repair in Ventura
Chimney repair is any work that restores the structural or functional parts of your chimney: the flue liner, masonry, cap, flashing, crown, or damper. In Ventura, that usually means fixing water entry, cracks, or deteriorated liners. We inspect first, show you the findings, and only recommend what the condition justifies.
Most cap, flashing, and crown repairs are done in a single visit, usually two to four hours. Liner installations and masonry rebuilds can take one to two days depending on height, access, and drying time for mortar or resurfacing materials. We’ll give you a time estimate with your written quote.
Repairs range from about $250 for a simple cap replacement up to $6,500 for a complete liner installation. Most common repairs – flashing, crown, tuckpointing – fall in the $350 to $1,200 range. The estimate is free, and the written price is what you pay. Call (877) 798-8581 for exact numbers on your chimney.
Yes. We install HeatShield ceramic resurfacing systems and DuraFlex flexible liners, and we can inspect either if it’s already in place. We know what wear looks like on both systems and when repair is appropriate versus replacement.
Most Ventura-area repair calls are scheduled same-day when you call early enough. We answer 24/7. Fast dispatch from 7am to 7pm, Sunday through Friday. A call outside dispatch hours is booked into the next opening.
Our repair workmanship is covered by the terms we explain at the time of your estimate, and manufacturer warranties apply to materials like liners and caps. We’ll spell out exactly what’s covered in writing before any work begins.
Clear a path to the fireplace, move furniture and decor away from the hearth, and make sure the technician can access the roof if the repair involves the cap, flashing, or crown. Pets should be kept in another room while we’re working. We’ll handle drop cloths and cleanup.
Schedule Your Chimney Repair Service in Ventura Today
If you suspect a chimney problem, don’t wait for the smell to get worse. Call (877) 798-8581 and we’ll schedule a repair visit with a free, no-obligation written estimate. We answer 24/7. Fast dispatch from 7am to 7pm, Sunday through Friday. Or if you’re still assessing, check our Chimney Sweep Ventura page to see how a full inspection works.
Written by Ken Hanson, Owner at Chimney Sweep Ventura, serving Ventura since 2011.