Fireplace Repair in Pasadena, CA

Pasadena's fireplace stock is old, beautiful, and worked hard. The original masonry fireplaces in Bungalow Heaven, Madison Heights, and Prospect Park homes have survived a century of use; what wears out is predictable: firebox mortar and firebrick crack from thermal cycling, refractory panels thin and split, and original dampers corrode until they stick, warp, or stop sealing. Because Pasadena sits at the base of the San Gabriel Mountains and residents genuinely burn fires from November through March, this wear happens faster here than in coastal cities where a fireplace is mostly decoration.

The most dangerous situation homeowners overlook is a cracked firebox. Cracks wider than 1/4 inch let heat and live sparks travel directly into the wood framing behind the fireplace — a serious fire hazard. Under NFPA 211 guidelines, any crack wider than 1/4 inch must be repaired before the fireplace is used again. If you can fit a quarter into the crack, stop using the fireplace and call us.

• Firebox repair & rebuilding — firebrick replacement and full firebox rebuilds with new firebrick and high-temperature mortar
• Refractory panel replacement — for prefab fireplaces and worn masonry fireboxes
• Damper repair & replacement — handle repair, plate adjustment, hinge replacement, or a new top-mount damper
• Gas fireplace repair — pilot assembly service, thermocouple replacement, gas log installation & adjustment
• Gas log installation — including the damper safety clamp required for vented gas log sets
• Smoke and draft problems — diagnosing why smoke enters the room instead of rising up the flue

Damper Repair

A damper that will not open, will not close, or will not seal is one of the most common repairs we make in Pasadena's original masonry fireplaces. We service both the original throat dampers and modern top-sealing dampers, which often perform better than the originals on older chimneys.

Stop and call before your next fire if you see any of these:

Cracks wider than 1/4 inch in the firebox walls, floor, or refractory panels

White powdery residue (efflorescence) on the firebox or chimney — a sign of moisture getting in

Separation between the firebox walls and the surround

A damper that won't move smoothly or won't seal when closed

Gas fireplaces: a pilot that won't stay lit, yellow or orange flame tips instead of blue, soot building up around the firebox, or a gas smell near the fireplace are all reasons to stop using it and book a repair.

Before each burning season, shine a flashlight into your firebox and look. And even with no visible cracks, a worn damper or blocked flue can quietly create a smoke or carbon monoxide risk — a Level 1 inspection can catch it for $99.

We repair fireplaces throughout Pasadena: original masonry fireplaces in the historic districts of Bungalow Heaven, Madison Heights, and Prospect Park; Old Town's mixed residential properties; and homes near Caltech and the Huntington Library.

Multi-fireplace homes are common here — a living room hearth, a bedroom fireplace, sometimes an outdoor hearth — and we can assess and repair them in coordinated visits.

For homes in locally designated historic districts, note that certain exterior masonry work may require review under Pasadena's historic preservation rules; interior firebox and damper repairs are not affected, and we can document existing condition before any work begins.

Minor Firebox Repair — From $99

refractory panel replacement or mortar patch

Damper Repair — From $99

handle repair, plate adjustment, or hinge replacement

Top-Mount Damper Installation — $799

new chimney-top damper with built-in rain cap

Firebox Rebuilding — $500–$1,500+

full rebuild with new firebrick and high-temp mortar

Gas Log Installation — From $899

includes box cleaning, damper safety clamp & minor repairs

Every repair starts with a written estimate before work begins.

Fireplace repair from $99

Firebox rebuilding $500–$1,500+

Wood-burning & gas fireplaces serviced, masonry and prefab

NFPA 211 compliant repairs

Professional & insured technicians

Open Sun–Fri 8AM–10PM · Sat 10AM–10PM

• Service area: We provide mobile fireplace repair service across Pasadena — ZIP codes 91101, 91103, 91104, 91105, 91106, 91107
• Areas covered: Bungalow Heaven, Madison Heights, Prospect Park, Old Town, and the Caltech, Huntington Library, and Rose Bowl areas
• Hours: Sunday–Friday 8:00 AM–10:00 PM · Saturday 10:00 AM–10:00 PM
• Call: (818) 301-4365
• Rated: 5.0 from 439 reviews