On this page
Part of a chimney is stucco work, and part is chimney work. The stucco on the outside is a stucco contractor's job. The flue, the fireplace and the inside of the chimney belong to a chimney sweep.
How Stucco Chimneys Are Built
Florida stucco chimneys come in two kinds:
- Masonry chimneys of brick or block with stucco over the outside. The stucco bonds to the masonry, the same as on a block wall.
- Framed chimney chases, common on newer homes: a wood-framed box built around a factory-built fireplace's metal flue, covered with barrier, lath and stucco to match the house, and capped with a metal chase cover.
Knowing which one you have matters, because a framed chase is built like a frame wall, with a barrier and lath behind the stucco, and repairs follow that.
What Goes Wrong with Stucco Chimneys
- Cracks in the stucco. The same hairline and wider cracks as any stucco wall, made more frequent by the chimney's exposure. See stucco crack repair products for what fits each crack.
- Rust stains running down the stucco. On a framed chase, a rusting chase cover or chase pan bleeds onto the stucco. The Chimney Safety Institute of America's inspection guidance has inspectors look for rust, low spots and pinholes in a chase pan that let water sit on it.
- Leaks where the chimney meets the roof. The flashing at the roof line is the most common place for water to get in. On a wide chase, CSIA guidance calls for a cricket, a small peaked roof section that turns water around the chimney, when the chase is wider than 30 inches and doesn't meet the roof ridge.
- Water behind the stucco. Stains, blistered paint or soft spots on the chimney mean water is getting behind the finish. See stucco water damage.
- Gaps where the chimney meets the house. CSIA guidance points inspectors to "any irregularities in the construction of the chase where the chimney is joined the structure."
How Stucco Chimney Repair Works
- Find where the water or damage starts. On a chimney, that's usually the cap or chase cover, the roof flashing, or the joint with the house.
- Fix the top and the roof line first. A rusted chase cover gets replaced, and roof flashing gets resealed or redone, so the stucco repair isn't undone by the next storm.
- Repair the stucco. Cracks are sealed with a flexible, textured sealant. Damaged areas are cut back to solid stucco and patched; on a framed chase, wet barrier, lath or sheathing is replaced before new stucco goes on. See repairing stucco walls for how a patch is built.
- Match the finish. The repair is textured and colored to match the chimney and the house, usually by refinishing or painting the whole chimney face.
Stucco over a brick chimney follows the same steps, with the stucco bonded to the masonry. Stuccoing a brick chimney that was never stuccoed is a bigger project: the brick has to be clean and sound so the new stucco bonds.
What a Chimney Sweep Handles
The inside of the chimney is a different trade. The Chimney Safety Institute of America notes that NFPA 211 "defines the inspection requirements for fireplaces and chimneys." If your chimney leaks, or the fireplace gets regular use, have a certified chimney sweep check the flue, the fireplace and the cap along with the stucco repair.
Getting a Stucco Chimney Repaired
Chimney work happens on the roof, so it's rarely a do-it-yourself job. Your local Stucco HQ contractor sees the chimney in person and puts the stucco repair and the price in writing, free, before any work starts. See how a stucco repair works.
Frequently asked questions
Why is my stucco chimney leaking?
Most often the water comes in at the top or at the roof line: a rusted or damaged chase cover or cap, failed flashing where the chimney meets the roof, or cracks in the stucco. The repair starts by finding which one.
What causes rust stains on a stucco chimney?
On a framed chimney chase, rust usually comes from the metal chase cover on top. As it rusts, rain carries the rust down the stucco. Replacing the cover stops the stains; the stucco is then cleaned or refinished.
Can you put stucco over a brick chimney?
Yes. Stucco bonds to clean, sound brick, the same way it bonds to block. Loose mortar and old coatings are dealt with first so the stucco grips.
Who repairs a stucco chimney, a stucco contractor or a chimney sweep?
Both, for different parts. A stucco contractor repairs the stucco on the outside. A certified chimney sweep inspects and repairs the flue, the fireplace and the inside of the chimney.
Do stucco chimneys need regular upkeep?
A look at the chimney from the ground every year, for stains, cracks and rust, catches most problems early. If the fireplace is used, a chimney sweep's inspection covers the inside.
Sources and data used on this page
The figures and facts on this page come from public records and official sources. Links open in a new tab.
Industry guidance
- Level 2 Inspection: Factory-Built Fireplace Chimney Safety Institute of America Chase pans, crickets on wide chases, the chase-to-house joint, and NFPA 211 for chimney inspections.
Last reviewed:
Stucco HQ is not affiliated with the Chimney Safety Institute of America. Checked against its guidance on November 12, 2026. This page is general information about the stucco on a chimney, not about the flue or the fireplace.