Holmes Roofing & Exterior Solutions repairs chimneys throughout the San Antonio metro from our home base in Selma, TX. We are a GAF-certified, family-owned local crew — licensed with the City of San Antonio (HIC-24-00928) and insured — with a 5.0-star Google rating from local homeowners. Chimney problems that look minor almost always mask bigger structural or moisture issues underneath: cracked masonry opens paths for water; deteriorating mortar joints loosen bricks; a damaged crown lets rain run straight down your flue. Our team identifies the root cause, not just the symptom, and delivers lasting repairs. We offer free inspections so you know exactly what you’re dealing with before any work begins. Call (210) 440-1013, Monday–Saturday 9am–6pm.
The most common chimney problems San Antonio homeowners face are cracked or spalling masonry, deteriorating mortar joints, chimney crown damage, and active leaks — often appearing together because they share the same root cause: water intrusion compounded by South Texas heat cycling. Brick expands and contracts through our summers and the occasional freeze, and mortar softens faster in humid conditions. Spalling (brick faces flaking off) usually means moisture has worked into the masonry and is forcing its way out; left alone it accelerates quickly. Crown damage — cracks or chips in the concrete cap at the top of the chimney — lets rain pour directly into the flue and the firebox below. Mortar joint failure is often invisible from the ground but creates loose bricks and active water pathways. Any one of these makes the others worse, which is why a complete inspection matters more than patching a single visible crack.
A leaking chimney announces itself in several reliable ways: damp or musty smells from the fireplace, rust or corrosion on the firebox or damper, white chalky stains (efflorescence) on the exterior brick face, deteriorating mortar joints that crumble when touched, and water stains on the ceiling or walls near the chimney chase. Inside the attic, look for moisture or dark staining on framing near where the chimney passes through the roofline. Efflorescence is a particularly useful signal — those white streaks form when water pulls mineral salts out of the masonry as it travels through, so if you see them, water has already been moving through your chimney wall regularly. Chimney leaks are rarely self-correcting. The flashing where the chimney meets your roof is a separate but related entry point — if it has lifted, cracked, or separated, rain can run directly under your shingles. Holmes inspects flashing as part of every chimney repair visit.

Chimney repair costs vary considerably depending on what’s actually wrong, which is why honest contractors inspect before quoting. For context on the broader roofing market in San Antonio: typical roofing jobs (repairs and partial replacements blended) run $5,000–$8,000, while full replacements on a 2,000 sq ft home run roughly $18,000–$28,000. Chimney-specific repairs — repointing mortar joints, replacing a crown, sealing or wrapping the exterior, repairing flashing — often fall well below those ranges for localized work, but the scope depends on what an inspection uncovers. Homeowners insurance sometimes covers chimney damage when the cause is a covered peril (storm, hail, fire), but cosmetic deterioration from normal wear typically is not covered. Holmes provides a written quote after a free inspection — no guessing over the phone, because chimney damage assessment requires eyes on the structure.
Holmes repairs all the structural and protective components that keep a chimney working safely: masonry and brick (repointing mortar joints, replacing spalled or cracked bricks), chimney crowns (patching or replacing the concrete cap), flashing at the roofline (sealing and re-securing the metal barrier between chimney and shingles), chimney wraps (a protective moisture barrier applied to the exterior), and interior components including the firebox surround and damper area. We work on brick, stone, and masonry chimneys as well as wood-framed chase systems with siding enclosures. All chimney repairs from Holmes are completed, sealed, painted where needed, and backed by warranty. If your chimney uses a siding chase rather than exposed brick, we handle the siding repairs as part of the same job — no need to coordinate multiple contractors.

A chimney wrap is a water-resistant barrier material applied over the exterior of a masonry or siding-clad chimney to block moisture intrusion while letting the structure breathe. San Antonio’s weather — heavy rain in spring and fall, high humidity, and the occasional hard freeze — gives moisture many chances to penetrate chimney exteriors. A wrap adds a protective layer that slows the water-intrusion cycle responsible for spalling, mortar joint failure, and interior dampness. Not every chimney needs a wrap: a structurally sound chimney with intact mortar and an undamaged crown may not need one yet. However, if a chimney has had prior leak issues, shows efflorescence, or has a history of mortar repairs, a wrap during the current repair is a cost-effective way to extend the life of the fix. Holmes will tell you honestly during the inspection whether a wrap is the right call or not.
Yes — chimney problems and roof damage are closely linked because the chimney penetrates your roof and shares the same weather exposure. The flashing at the chimney base is one of the most common sources of roof leaks: when it lifts, corrodes, or gaps, rainwater runs under the shingles and into the attic or wall cavity below. A cracked or crumbling chimney crown drops debris and water directly onto the roof surface around it, accelerating shingle wear in that zone. And if the chimney structure itself is leaning or has settling cracks, the movement can distort the roofline around the penetration. Holmes crews are roofing contractors first — we inspect the roof surface, underlayment, and flashing around every chimney we repair, not just the chimney itself. If we find related roofing damage, we document it with photos and show you before any repair begins.
A chimney inspection before buying or selling catches problems that wall inspections routinely miss. Standard home inspectors typically look at chimneys from the ground and note visible cracks or staining, but they rarely get on the roof, probe mortar joints, or check the interior of the flue. In San Antonio’s climate — where wind-driven rain, UV exposure, and temperature swings work on masonry year-round — a chimney that looks acceptable from the street can have active moisture infiltration, a cracked crown, or failed flashing that will cost thousands to repair. For sellers, a clean chimney inspection removes a common buyer objection and supports your asking price. For buyers, it turns a vague concern into a documented repair list you can negotiate on or plan for. Holmes provides free chimney inspections for San Antonio homeowners and can schedule an appointment within our normal service hours, Monday–Saturday 9am–6pm.
Holmes Roofing & Exterior Solutions is a GAF-certified installer, licensed with the City of San Antonio (HIC-24-00928), insured, and family-owned — a local Selma-based crew that works throughout the San Antonio metro. San Antonio homeowners rate us 5.0 stars on Google. We bring the same standard to chimney repair that we bring to full roof replacements: document everything with photos, explain what we find before work begins, and never add services you don’t need. Our crews handle the whole picture — chimney masonry, crown, flashing, wraps, and the roofing around the chimney base — so you work with one contractor instead of coordinating between a roofer and a masonry specialist. Financing is available through our Synchrony Financial partnership for larger repairs. We’re available Monday–Saturday, 9am–6pm. Call (210) 440-1013 to schedule a free inspection, or visit our contact page to request one online. We also offer financing options for qualifying repairs.
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