Full chimney rebuilds are done to enhance the performance of an aged chimney or to rehabilitate a decommissioned unit.
While the process can be long and arduous, the results are worth the effort. Functioning fireplaces add value to your home and can be the source of countless happy family memories.
This post will take a look at how to initiate a full chimney rebuild in Broad Ripple.
We also take an in-depth look at all of the additional considerations (cost, timeline, etc.) that you should keep in mind as you consider your options.
When to Have a Chimney Rebuilt
It can be difficult to know when to pull the trigger on a full chimney rebuild. Getting a chimney rebuilt is expensive and many people postpone them for as long as they can.
Safety and functionality are two of the biggest indicators that it’s time to start looking into a full chimney rebuild.
Damaged chimneys can be dangerous, increasing the risk of house fires, and even carbon monoxide poisoning. When chimneys aren’t functional at all, they can decrease your home value, and serve as a point of entry for animals like bats and squirrels.
Below, we look at a few indicators that it is time to get a full chimney rebuild in Broad Ripple.
Common Signs of Damage
Chimney damage can be difficult to detect because many potential problems occur where you can’t see them.
Nevertheless, there are indicators that you can spot with careful observation. These include:
Hidden Signs of Damage
Other signs of damage cannot be detected by the untrained eye. It is important to get your chimney regularly inspected and serviced by professionals. Being proactive not only reduces your chances of requiring a full chimney rebuild in Broad Ripple but also reduces the potential for risks that can be incurred by a faulty chimney.
Potential Hazards of Improper Care
Once your chimney is compromised it can pose a risk to the rest of your home. It’s important to keep in mind that while your chimney flue is designed to withstand extremely high temperatures, the rest of your home is not.
When your chimney reaches the end of its chimney life expectancy and begins to experience cracks, heat from a fire will spread through the gaps, potentially damaging parts of your home that have not been fortified to withstand intense temperatures.
Damaged chimneys may also allow animals to gain easy entrance into your home, and can serve as havens for hidden mold.
Full Chimney Rebuild Cost
The average cost to rebuild a chimney depends on a wide range of factors including the size of the chimney and the materials that are to be used. Below we provide a breakdown of the average chimney rebuild cost.
Average Cost
The average full chimney rebuild in Broad Ripple can cost between $1000-5000. That’s more of a range than it is an average. You aren’t mistaken. There are too many variables to consider for a single average to paint an accurate picture of the costs you can expect to encounter.
Cost factors
Cost factors for a full chimney rebuild in Broad Ripple include things like:
1. Size: The cost of a chimney rebuild is based largely on the number of materials needed. The taller the chimney, the more it will cost.
2. Parts needed: Not every full chimney rebuild in Broad Ripple is the same. The range stated above tends to assume that some parts of your chimney will be salvageable. If this is not the case—if you actually have to replace every single part, including the fireplace itself, the number can jump all the way to $10,000 or more. In the case of a true total do-over, the quality of the materials can make a significant difference. Ornate components may cost significantly more than basic options.
How to Find Out
The best way to find out how much money your full chimney rebuild in Broad Ripple will cost is to contact a professional. As with any significant repair, it’s always a good idea to contact multiple professionals for several free quotes.
Keep in mind that you don’t necessarily want to go with the cheapest option. A good chimney and fireplace can last a long time—we will talk more about that in a moment—but only when you invest in a high-quality solution from a trustworthy contractor.
Average Chimney Life Expectancy
Chimneys are meant to last a long time. With regular maintenance and careful upkeep, some can last for as long as the house around them. However, there are many variables that contribute to the average chimney life expectancy.
Mortar/Brick
Well-maintained brick and mortar fireplaces can easily last for one hundred years or more.
Should you find yourself committing to a full chimney rebuild in Broad Ripple, it’s safe to say that your new purchase will last for many generations.
However, even for new, or refurbished chimneys, maintenance is the key to longevity.
3 Keys to Chimney Maintenance
Regular chimney maintenance is vital for several reasons.
- Keeps your chimney clean: Regular chimney maintenance can keep debris from accumulating in the flue. Over time, dirt and grime particles pile up. After significant accumulation, they can prevent airflow, diminishing your fireplace's performance, and increasing the risk of carbon monoxide build-up.
- Catches problems early: The later you catch an issue with your chimney, the more expensive it will usually be to fix. Regular checkups help you to catch problems early. The same way you get your car or furnace/AC serviced on a schedule, it’s a good idea to do the same for your fireplace.
- Lowers safety risks: You don’t want to find out that there is something wrong with your chimney because something bad happened. Proactive maintenance nips issues in the bud before they can create negative consequences in your home.
When you know, you know
The fact that you are reading this article at all is a good indicator that it’s time to contact a professional. You typed “fully chimney rebuild in Broad Ripple,” into your search engine because something about your current setup is making you worried.
The best way to fix the problem is to talk it out with the pros and find out what your options are.
What’s the process of getting my chimney replaced?
A trusted masonry contractor can make all the difference in guiding you through the solution that is right for your home.
Not DIY Friendly
People who are handy may be tempted to repair their chimneys on their own. While the potential to save thousands of dollars is very enticing, this is a job for certified professionals.
Not only can it be very dangerous to work on your chimney without the proper training and support, but the work you do may not last as long as that of a professional.
This can pose a problem, both for the long-term health of your chimney, and the resale ability of your home. Professionals are specially trained and licensed. They have specialized equipment, and the experience required to do the job effectively and safely. Leave it to the pros.
#1) Research 3-5 trusted masonry contractors in Indianapolis
Just because you can’t do this job yourself doesn’t mean you should settle on the first contractor you come across.
As you begin to contemplate a full chimney rebuild in Broad Ripple, it’s a good idea to contact between 3-5 contractors to get a range of different quotes and suggestions.
This is also a good opportunity to find out if the business supports your values. We make a point of supporting Teachers Treasures—an organization that connects local teachers with the supplies they need in their classrooms.
With conscientious spending habits, you can get the things you need and make a difference at the same time.
#2) Research the price range so you know what to expect
We talked about price ranges in an early heading. The numbers we provided were for the total costs of service.
While it’s a good idea to have a ballpark figure for the end tab, you may also want to have a more itemized list of potential expenses.
For example, think about researching how much parts, labor, and other things, like water sealing usually cost.
Having a granular understanding of what goes into a full chimney rebuild in Broad Ripple will empower you to ask well-informed questions about the quotes you are given.
#3) Request a free custom quote from the masonry companies you found
Now that you have learned the ins and outs of a full chimney rebuild, it's time to look at your custom quotes with well-informed eyes. Undoubtedly, you will find differences in costs between your free quotes.
While your budget restrictions may play the biggest role in which option you ultimately decide on, it’s a good idea to ask follow-up questions rather than simply picking the cheapest contractor.
Keep in mind that chimneys can have a high cost of ownership. The materials used can shape how much you wind up paying in upkeep expenses. You may find that some chimney rebuilds might come with a higher sticker price, but will be more affordable in the long run.
Do Your Homework to Find The Best Options For a Full Chimney Rebuild in Broad Ripple.
While committing to a rebuild can be a stressful, expensive experience, going in prepared can be a big help. In this article, we have covered the basics of what you need to know for a full chimney rebuild in Broad Ripple. This includes:
- Figuring out what your price range will be
- Vetting contractors
- Understanding the safety hazards involved with a faulty chimney—as well as the risk of fixing it yourself
- How to take into account the way different materials and design needs can impact both the price and the performance of your rebuilt chimney.
A good, trusted masonry contractor will be there to help you navigate all of these considerations, and wind up with a finished product you can be happy with.
Do your research, get plenty of quotes, and don’t be afraid to ask questions. With persistence, knowledge, and patience, you can wind up with an incredible chimney that will still be going strong in one hundred years.
