Our Trusted Chimney Sweep Partner:
Midwest Chimney Repair

Chimney service is a specialized trade that requires specific certification, equipment, and expertise that roofing contractors don’t carry. The Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) certification requires passing rigorous exams and completing continuing education — it’s not a license a general contractor holds. Similarly, diagnosing chimney liner condition, flue gas behavior, and masonry structural integrity requires specialized tools including video camera systems and combustion analyzers.

We believe in referring customers to the right specialist for the right job. Midwest Chimney Repair is the specialist we trust for chimney work in Minnesota, just as our customers trust us for roofing.

The two are often confused because the water entry point may be the same — the roof-chimney junction — but the root cause can differ significantly. A roof leak is typically caused by failed shingles, damaged underlayment, or worn pipe boots. A chimney-related leak is caused by failed flashing (the metal seal at the roof-chimney junction), a cracked chimney crown, porous masonry, a missing chimney cap, or a damaged liner.

The critical distinction is who should repair it. Shingle and underlayment failure is a roofing repair — that’s us. Flashing failure that originates with the chimney counter-flashing, crown damage, masonry waterproofing, or liner issues are chimney repairs — that’s Midwest Chimney Repair. In many cases, both systems require attention and the repairs should be coordinated.

The NFPA 211 standard — the national benchmark for chimney safety — requires at least annual inspection for all chimneys in active use. In Minnesota, where the heating season runs six or more months and freeze-thaw cycles attack masonry all winter, annual inspection is the minimum responsible standard. Most chimney professionals recommend scheduling in early fall, before heating season begins, to ensure the system is safe before you light the first fire of the year.

Even chimneys that serve gas appliances rather than wood-burning fireplaces require annual inspection. Gas combustion produces acidic condensate that deteriorates clay tile liners over time, and carbon monoxide risks exist whenever combustion appliances vent through an aging or improperly sized flue.

CSIA stands for the Chimney Safety Institute of America — the leading chimney industry credentialing body in the United States. CSIA certification requires chimney technicians to pass comprehensive written examinations covering chimney science, building codes, fire safety, and proper inspection and cleaning techniques. Certified sweeps must complete continuing education to maintain their credentials.

When a chimney company is CSIA certified, it means their technicians have demonstrated competency through an independent, third-party examination process. For homeowners, it provides the same assurance that licensed contractors provide in other trades — you’re hiring someone whose qualifications have been verified, not just claimed. Midwest Chimney Repair’s CSIA certification is verifiable at csia.org.

Yes — a roof replacement is an ideal time to have a chimney evaluated. A re-roofing project includes new flashing installation at the chimney base, which makes it the perfect opportunity to also assess the masonry condition, crown integrity, and liner status above the roofline. If tuckpointing, crown repair, or waterproofing is needed, having it done in coordination with the roof replacement ensures the entire exterior system is renewed at the same time.

This is exactly the kind of coordination that Premiere Exteriors and Midwest Chimney Repair can facilitate. Contact us for your free roof inspection and we’ll identify any chimney concerns that should be addressed before or during the roofing project.

Common warning signs include:

• White staining (efflorescence) on brick exterior — indicates water moving through the masonry
• Spalling or flaking brick — freeze-thaw damage is in progress
• Crumbling mortar joints — gaps allow water entry and structural weakening
• Rust inside the firebox — indicates moisture getting past the damper or crown
• Water in the firebox after rain — a direct sign of cap, crown, or flashing failure
• Smoke backing into the room — could indicate blockage, liner damage, or draft issues
• A burning smell without a fire — often creosote being volatilized by heat from a nearby appliance
• Animal sounds in the chimney — birds or raccoons have entered an uncapped flue

Any of these symptoms warrant a call to Midwest Chimney Repair at (612) 655-8181.

Chimney waterproofing involves applying a penetrating, breathable sealant to exterior masonry that blocks water absorption while allowing interior vapor to escape. The product prevents moisture infiltration without trapping existing moisture inside the masonry — a critical distinction, since trapping moisture can accelerate freeze-thaw damage.

In Minnesota, where chimneys are exposed to annual freeze-thaw cycling, rain, snow, and ice, waterproofing is one of the most cost-effective preventive treatments a homeowner can invest in. It’s typically recommended after tuckpointing and crown repair so the masonry is in sound condition before the sealant is applied. Learn more about chimney waterproofing services from Midwest Chimney Repair.

Yes, and this is a common problem throughout Minnesota. Raccoons are the most frequent chimney den users, particularly in residential neighborhoods near parks, lakes, and green spaces. Birds — including chimney swifts, which are federally protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act — nest in open masonry flues from spring through early fall.

Animal nesting materials can block the flue, create fire hazards, and cause significant odor problems. A properly fitted stainless steel chimney cap with wildlife guard mesh is the most effective permanent prevention. If animals are already present, they should be removed by a specialist before any cap is installed. Contact Midwest Chimney Repair if you suspect animal entry in your chimney.

A chimney liner is a conduit inside the flue that safely contains combustion gases and directs them out of the home. It also protects the surrounding masonry from heat and corrosive byproducts. Clay tile liners are original to most Minnesota homes built through the mid-20th century, but they deteriorate over time — particularly under the stress of Minnesota’s freeze-thaw cycles and the transition to high-efficiency gas appliances.

Many older Minnesota homes either have unlined chimneys (especially those built before 1950) or original clay liners that have cracked and can no longer safely contain flue gases. Stainless steel flex liner systems are the modern replacement standard and are required by code when appliance type or fuel changes. A Level 2 video inspection is the only reliable way to assess liner condition in an existing chimney.

Standard Minnesota homeowner’s policies generally cover sudden, accidental chimney damage caused by named perils — fire, lightning, hail, windstorm. A chimney cap blown off by a severe storm may be covered. A chimney fire that damages the liner may be a covered claim with proper documentation.

What policies typically exclude is gradual deterioration from lack of maintenance. If an insurance adjuster determines that the mortar has been crumbling for years without any maintenance, or that the crown has been cracked for multiple seasons, a claim may be denied or reduced. Maintaining annual inspection records from a certified professional like Midwest Chimney Repair is your strongest protection against this outcome. For roofing insurance claims, Premiere Exteriors offers full insurance claim assistance.

A standard chimney sweep with a Level 1 inspection in Minnesota typically costs between $150 and $300 for a single fireplace, depending on chimney height, accessibility, and the extent of creosote buildup. A Level 2 inspection with video camera scanning is generally priced between $250 and $500 or more, depending on the complexity of the system.

Be cautious of companies advertising unusually low prices — deep-discount chimney cleaning often results in minimal service, inflated reports of damage, and high-pressure upselling. Contact Midwest Chimney Repair directly at (612) 655-8181 for an honest, transparent estimate for your specific chimney.

Tuckpointing is the process of cutting out deteriorated mortar from chimney joints to a depth of approximately three-quarters of an inch and replacing it with fresh mortar matched to the original mix. It restores structural integrity and water resistance without replacing brick.

In Minnesota, where freeze-thaw cycles attack mortar every winter, tuckpointing typically needs attention every 20 to 30 years. Visible indicators include mortar that is recessed from the brick face, soft or crumbling to the touch, or missing in sections. If your home is more than 30 years old and the chimney has never been repointed, a professional masonry evaluation is a worthwhile investment. Contact Midwest Chimney Repair for masonry repair and tuckpointing services.

A chimney sweep performs cleaning — removing creosote, soot, blockages, and animal nesting material from the flue. A chimney inspector evaluates the physical condition of the chimney system, including the liner, crown, cap, flashing, masonry, firebox, and damper. In professional practice, these services are performed by the same certified technician, typically during the same appointment.

A reputable chimney company — like Midwest Chimney Repair — will perform both cleaning and inspection at each service appointment, provide written documentation of findings, and show you photos of any issues discovered. If a company offers only cleaning with no inspection component, that’s a red flag.

Using an uninspected fireplace carries genuine risk. Without a current inspection, you don’t know whether your chimney liner is intact, whether creosote has accumulated to dangerous levels, whether the flue is fully open, or whether animals have built nests that block combustion gases from venting. All of these conditions can result in house fires or carbon monoxide exposure.

The recommendation from the NFPA, CSIA, and virtually every fire safety organization is clear: do not use a fireplace or wood stove until an annual inspection has been completed. If you haven’t had your chimney inspected this season, schedule with Midwest Chimney Repair before lighting your next fire.

Before hiring any chimney contractor in Minnesota, verify four things:

1. CSIA certification — verifiable at csia.org by company or technician name
2. Minnesota contractor license — verifiable through the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry
3. Active liability and workers’ compensation insurance — ask for a current certificate before work begins
4. A physical business address and documented operating history — not just a phone number and a website

Midwest Chimney Repair meets all four criteria and has been serving Minnesota homeowners since 1999. They are the chimney company Premiere Exteriors refers our customers to without hesitation.

A chimney cap is a metal cover installed at the top of the chimney flue that prevents rain, snow, animals, and debris from entering the flue while still allowing combustion gases to escape. Standard caps include a mesh skirt that blocks wildlife entry.

Without a chimney cap, every rainfall delivers water directly into the flue, accelerating liner deterioration and exposing the masonry to interior moisture. In Minnesota, a chimney without a cap going into winter is a chimney that will almost certainly sustain preventable damage. Cap installation is one of the most cost-effective chimney investments available. Contact Midwest Chimney Repair to have your cap inspected or replaced.

Not in a regulatory sense, though certain Minnesota municipalities do have air quality restrictions on wood burning during high-pollution days. Wood-burning fireplaces remain legal and popular throughout Minnesota. However, if you’re considering converting from wood to gas, this triggers a required Level 2 chimney inspection and, in most cases, chimney relining — because the flue must be sized to the new appliance’s BTU output and the liner material must be appropriate for gas combustion byproducts. Midwest Chimney Repair can evaluate and perform any necessary relining as part of a gas conversion project.

Document the damage with photos immediately after the event you believe caused it — a storm, hail event, or discovered water damage. Contact your insurance company to report a potential claim and request a site visit from your adjuster. If the damage is chimney-specific (liner, masonry, crown, cap), have Midwest Chimney Repair document their professional assessment of the cause and extent of damage, which can support your claim.

For storm-damaged roofing, Premiere Exteriors provides full insurance claim assistance — from documentation to meeting with your adjuster. Many insurance claims involve both roofing and chimney damage, and coordinating both specialists strengthens your claim documentation.

A complete masonry chimney system consists of several interdependent components: the foundation and footing (structural base), the firebox (combustion chamber), the smoke shelf and smoke chamber (transition zone above the firebox), the damper (movable plate controlling draft), the flue liner (conduit for combustion gases), the masonry walls (structural exterior), the chimney crown (concrete cap at the top), the chimney cap (metal weather and wildlife barrier), and the flashing (waterproof seal at the roof-chimney junction).

Each component has a different lifespan and failure mode. A comprehensive annual inspection from a CSIA-certified technician evaluates all of these components and documents their condition — giving homeowners a clear picture of their chimney’s health and any maintenance priorities.

You can reach Midwest Chimney Repair by phone at (612) 655-8181. Their website at midwestchimneyrepair.com includes additional service information and a contact form. They serve Minnesota homeowners throughout the state and would be happy to answer questions, schedule an inspection, or provide an estimate for any chimney or fireplace service.