Dallas chimneys by era
| Era | Typical chimney | What we usually find |
|---|---|---|
| Before 1950 (M Streets, Lakewood, Kessler Park, Oak Cliff) | Solid brick, often unlined or clay-lined | Missing or cracked liners, worn mortar, old dampers |
| 1950s–1970s (Lake Highlands, Preston Hollow ranch homes) | Brick with clay tile liners | Cracked crowns, gaps between liner tiles, flashing leaks |
| 1980s onward (Far North Dallas) | Factory-built fireplace in a framed chase | Rusted chase covers, hail dents, worn-out fireboxes |
The median Dallas home was built around 1981, which puts many of them at the age when original crowns, liners and chase covers start to fail.
Ground that moves
Much of Dallas sits on Houston Black clay, which the USDA soil survey for Dallas County rates as having very high shrink-swell potential. When the soil dries in summer and swells after rain, foundations move. A brick chimney on its own footing can move differently from the house. Watch for a gap opening between the chimney and the wall, or stair-step cracks in the brick.
Codes and permits in Dallas
The City of Dallas enforces the 2021 International Residential Code and Fuel Gas Code. Structural repairs and some gas work can need a permit. We'll tell you up front if your job needs one.
Neighborhoods we serve
Lakewood, M Streets, Lower and Upper Greenville, Preston Hollow, Lake Highlands, Far North Dallas, Prestonwood, Bluffview, Devonshire, Kessler Park, Oak Cliff, White Rock and East Dallas, among others.
Questions from Dallas homeowners
Do you serve all of Dallas?
Yes. Every Dallas neighborhood is inside our regular service area, and most North Dallas homes are under 10 miles from our base in Addison.
Do I need a permit for chimney work in Dallas?
Routine sweeps, inspections, caps and minor repairs usually don't. Structural rebuilds and gas line changes can. The city's building inspection line is 214-948-4480 if you want to check, and we'll tell you before we start.
My older Dallas chimney has no liner. Is it safe?
An unlined or badly cracked flue lets heat and gases reach the brick and nearby wood. We recommend a Level 2 camera inspection before using it, and relining if the flue isn't sound.