Chimney & Fireplace Services in Imperial, PA

Chimney and fireplace care in Imperial

Homes in Imperial feature riverside boroughs and suburban neighborhoods with a mix of older and newer homes. The western communities along and above the Ohio River include historic river towns with older masonry alongside newer suburban housing.

Older masonry, aging clay flues

A lot of chimneys in and around Imperial were built with clay-tile liners, which were standard for generations. Clay holds up for decades, but it also grips creosote more than a smooth metal liner and can crack or shift with age and heat. When we clean or inspect an older Imperial chimney, we pay close attention to the condition of those tiles — cracked or offset tiles are a common finding, and they're the reason a stainless liner is often the right upgrade.

The crown is the first thing to go

On chimney after chimney across Imperial, the crown — the sloped surface at the very top — is where trouble starts. Exposed concrete crowns crack over time, and in our freeze-thaw climate those cracks widen every winter until water is running straight down into the masonry. Catching a cracked crown early, and sealing or recasting it before the damage spreads, is one of the best-value repairs we do for Imperial homeowners.

Why Western Pennsylvania weather is hard on chimneys

The single biggest challenge for chimneys across Imperial and the wider Pittsburgh area is water combined with cold. Rain and snow soak into exposed masonry; then, when temperatures drop, that trapped water freezes and expands. Repeated over many winters, this freeze-thaw cycle cracks crowns, washes out mortar joints and pops the faces off brick.

Serving Imperial and nearby communities

Lincoln Chimney Services works throughout Imperial and the surrounding area. If you're in a neighboring community, we likely serve you too — a few nearby areas are linked from this page, and you can find the full list on our service areas page.