Call immediately if you notice active water dripping inside your home during or after storms, especially near your fireplace or chimney area. Don’t wait if you see sudden appearance of large water stains, smell strong musty odors, or notice chunks of masonry falling from your chimney. Other emergency situations include visible chimney damage after severe weather, water pooling in your firebox, or smoke entering your home instead of going up the chimney. These conditions can indicate serious structural problems or safety hazards. Even if the leak seems minor, addressing it quickly prevents extensive water damage to your home’s interior structure. Water damage spreads rapidly through walls, insulation, and flooring, turning a manageable repair into a major restoration project.