Chimney repair for Bangor-area homes

How it works

1. Call or send a request

   Tell us your town and what your chimney is doing.

2. We connect you

   Your call goes to an independent chimney or masonry contractor that serves the Bangor area.

3. They call you back

   They inspect the chimney and quote the repair directly.

Who is this for?

Homeowners in Bangor, Brewer, Hampden, Orono and the surrounding towns of Penobscot County. Chimneys work hard here. Many Bangor-area homes vent an oil boiler or furnace through a masonry chimney, and plenty also burn wood or pellets in a stove or insert. Add a long, cold winter and old housing stock, and chimneys need regular attention.

What are the signs a chimney needs repair?

• Crumbling or missing mortar between bricks
• Bricks flaking, cracking or popping their faces (spalling)
• A cracked or broken crown on top of the chimney
• Water stains on the ceiling or wall near the chimney
• White, powdery deposits (efflorescence) on the brick
• Rust on the damper, stove pipe or oil burner flue connection
• Pieces of clay tile falling into the fireplace, stove or cleanout
• Smoke or fumes coming back into the house

Why are chimneys so hard-used in the Bangor area?

• Long, cold winters. NOAA's 1991–2020 normals for Bangor International Airport show about 75 inches of snow and 42 inches of precipitation a year, with January averaging about 18°F. Water soaks into brick and mortar, freezes and expands, and breaks the masonry apart a little more each season.
• Oil heat. According to the Governor's Energy Office, about half of Maine households heat primarily with fuel oil, and Maine uses more residential heating oil per person than any other state. Oil boilers and furnaces send moist, acidic flue gases up the chimney that are hard on mortar and clay liners.
• Wood and pellet stoves. Many homes add a wood or pellet stove for backup or main heat. Wood smoke leaves creosote, which needs regular sweeping.
• Old houses. Bangor was the world's largest lumber port by 1860, and many of the Greek Revival and Victorian homes built in that era still stand, along with plenty of capes and farmhouses with center chimneys.

Is a damaged chimney dangerous?

It can be. A cracked liner or failing masonry can let heat, sparks and combustion gases, including carbon monoxide, reach the house framing or living space. Loose bricks at the top can fall. If you suspect a problem, stop using the stove or fireplace until it's inspected, keep working carbon monoxide alarms on every level, and call for an inspection. If the chimney serves your boiler or furnace, call your heating technician as well.

When is the best time to get chimney work done?

Book inspections and sweeping in late summer or early fall, before the first cold snap brings everyone's stove and boiler back online. Exterior masonry work, like repointing or rebuilding a chimney top, needs above-freezing temperatures for the mortar to cure, so around Bangor it's mostly done from spring through fall. Caps, liners and many leak repairs can happen year-round. If something goes wrong mid-winter, such as falling brick, smoke in the house or a failed inspection, a contractor can usually make the chimney safe right away and schedule the bigger repair for warmer weather.

What does chimney repair cost?

It depends on what's wrong, how tall and accessible the chimney is, how many flues it has, and what it serves. A cap or crown sealing is a much smaller job than a liner or a rebuild. The company you're connected with inspects the chimney and gives you a written quote. We don't set or quote prices.

Does a chimney contractor need a license in Maine?

Maine doesn't license chimney sweeps or general contractors. The State Fire Marshal's office keeps a list of chimney sweeps but says it doesn't certify them, and it suggests asking about certification from groups like the Chimney Safety Institute of America or the National Chimney Sweep Guild. Work on oil, gas and some solid-fuel heating equipment does require a Maine Fuel Board license. See the Maine chimney guide for the contract rules that protect you.

Is this a chimney company?

No. Bangor Chimney Repair is a referral service. We connect you with an independent chimney or masonry contractor that serves your address, and that company inspects, quotes, performs and warranties the work. Before you sign, read our tips for hiring a chimney contractor.

Areas we cover

• Bangor
• Brewer
• Hampden
• Orono and Old Town

Planning ahead? Read our Maine chimney guide.