Updated September 10, 2026
How much housing does Alexandria have?
The Census counts 80,570 housing units in Alexandria for a population of about 156,788 — roughly 1.9 people for every housing unit.
That makes Alexandria the third largest of the four Virginia cities with a page here; Virginia Beach counts 190,734.
Who arranges chimney work on an Alexandria home?
About 42% of occupied Alexandria homes are owner-occupied, which leaves about 58% rented.
With 58% of occupied Alexandria homes rented, the person who notices the smell, the stain or the smoke is more often than not a tenant, and the person who authorizes a repair is someone else. Say which you are when you send a request, so the findings reach whoever has to act on them.
Tenure also decides who keeps the paperwork. An Alexandria chimney's earlier reports follow the property, not the occupant, so ask for them whichever side of that 42% you are on.
Which cities near Alexandria have their own page here?
Richmond, about 91 miles away, Virginia Beach, about 152 miles away, and Roanoke, about 189 miles away — measured from Alexandria.
Those are great-circle distances between the Census 2023 Gazetteer interior points of each place, so the drive is longer than the figure.
Richmond's median build year is 1959 against Alexandria's 1974, a 15-year difference in the housing the two chimneys belong to.
What you can observe safely
- Photograph visible cracks safely from ground level.
- Keep any earlier photos for comparison.
What to avoid
- Do not climb onto the roof or enter the chimney.
- Do not alter gas components, venting, or safety controls.
- Do not use a test fire to diagnose the problem.
Possible causes to assess
- Masonry or mortar deterioration
- Movement requiring assessment
- Water-related damage
A symptom cannot establish the cause remotely. An assessment of the complete system helps determine the appropriate repair.
Chimney repair in AlexandriaA few common questions
Can this be diagnosed from a photo?
A photo can document a symptom and help prepare a visit. It cannot confirm concealed conditions or establish that a chimney or fuel-burning appliance is safe.