Your home’s chimney isn’t just a decorative feature — it’s an essential structural component of your property. In Metro Atlanta, where clay-rich soil and shifting ground conditions are common, leaning chimneys are a frequent and potentially dangerous issue for homeowners. If you’ve noticed your chimney tilting away from your home or forming cracks at the base, it’s crucial to seek professional leaning chimney repair services before the problem escalates.
At Anglin’s Foundation & Masonry Repairs, we’ve been correcting leaning, tilting, and unstable chimneys for over 90 years. As Atlanta’s trusted masonry experts, we know exactly what it takes to properly inspect, stabilize, and restore chimneys, preserving both the safety and value of your home.
What Causes a Chimney to Lean?
Chimneys are heavy, rigid structures that rely on a stable footing to remain upright. In Atlanta, the primary culprit behind leaning chimneys is the region’s clay-heavy soil, which tends to expand and contract with changes in moisture content. Over time, this soil movement causes the concrete footings beneath your chimney to settle unevenly, leading the entire structure to tilt.
Other common causes of leaning chimneys include:
- Improperly constructed footings
- Erosion from water runoff
- Poor drainage around the home’s foundation
- Deterioration of mortar joints and masonry materials
- Age-related settling of older homes
When these issues occur, the weight of the chimney transfers pressure unevenly to its base, causing it to lean or pull away from the house. If left unaddressed, the problem worsens, resulting in cracked bricks, loose stones, or, in severe cases, complete structural failure.
Why You Should Never Ignore a Leaning Chimney
A leaning chimney is more than just an eyesore. It’s a serious hazard that can lead to:
- Falling masonry: Loose bricks or stones can fall, putting people, pets, and property at risk.
- Structural damage to your home: A tilting chimney can compromise the integrity of nearby walls, roofing, and framing.
- Fire hazards: Misalignment can create gaps and cracks where heat and embers escape, potentially leading to house fires.
- Decreased property value: A visibly leaning chimney signals major structural concerns to potential buyers and can reduce your home’s market appeal.
The good news is that professional leaning chimney repair can address these issues safely and effectively, restoring your chimney to a secure, plumb position.
How Professional Leaning Chimney Repair Works
At Anglin’s, our expert technicians start every chimney repair project with a thorough, no-obligation inspection. We examine not only the visible tilt of the chimney but also assess the condition of the underlying footing, masonry joints, and surrounding soil to identify the root cause of the issue.
Once the source of the problem is determined, we recommend the most appropriate repair solution. Some of the techniques we use include:
- Foundation Stabilization
We correct unstable or settling footings by installing deep piers or reinforced concrete supports beneath the chimney. These piers transfer the chimney’s weight to deeper, more stable soil layers, halting further movement. - Chimney Straightening
Using specialized equipment, we carefully straighten the chimney back to its original, vertical position. This process requires expert precision to avoid damaging the chimney structure or adjacent framing. - Masonry Repair and Restoration
Once the chimney is stabilized, our skilled masons replace cracked or missing bricks and stones, repoint mortar joints, and reseal gaps between the chimney and house walls. Cosmetic restoration ensures your chimney not only functions safely but also looks flawless. - Waterproofing and Drainage Solutions
To prevent future soil erosion and settlement, we may recommend grading improvements, gutter extensions, or waterproof coatings to divert water away from your home’s foundation.
Types of Chimneys We Repair
Not all chimneys are built the same, and at Anglin’s, we have extensive experience with a variety of structures:
- Masonry Chimneys: Constructed from brick, stone, or block, these are the most common type in Atlanta. Masonry chimneys require solid, well-built footings to remain stable.
- Metal Flue Chimneys with Framed Enclosures: These chimneys consist of a metal vent pipe enclosed within a framed, siding-covered structure. Although lighter than masonry chimneys, they can still develop dangerous lean if their framing or footings are compromised.
No matter what type of chimney you have, our team has the skills and expertise to perform the highest quality leaning chimney repair work in Metro Atlanta.
Why Choose Anglin’s for Chimney Repair?
Since 1930, Anglin’s Foundation & Masonry Repairs has been a trusted, family-owned name in Atlanta for foundation and chimney services. We don’t believe in quick fixes — we believe in doing the job right the first time, with honesty, integrity, and craftsmanship that stands the test of time.
When you work with Anglin’s, you get:
- Experienced technicians with decades of combined expertise
- Proven repair systems designed for Georgia’s unique soil conditions
- A one-stop solution for both structural and cosmetic chimney repairs
- Free, detailed chimney inspections and repair estimates
- Outstanding customer service from a fourth-generation, family-operated business
Our company has successfully repaired thousands of tilting, leaning, and falling chimneys throughout the Atlanta area. With each project, we apply the same attention to detail and commitment to quality that has made us a leader in the industry for nearly a century.
Schedule Your Free Leaning Chimney Inspection Today
If you’ve noticed your chimney leaning, pulling away from your home, or showing signs of cracking, don’t delay. Waiting can turn a manageable repair into an expensive and dangerous structural issue.
Contact Anglin’s Foundation & Masonry Repairs today to schedule your free inspection and estimate for professional leaning chimney repair. We’ll evaluate your chimney’s condition, explain your repair options, and deliver a permanent, cost-effective solution you can trust.
Your home deserves the best — and that’s exactly what Anglin’s delivers.
Posted on behalf of John Anglin, Anglin’s Foundation & Masonry Repairs
