In many cases, yes, if we sweep the flue from the bottom. If we need to inspect the chimney top, we can come by at a later point on a dryer day to check that. If weather prevents us from sweeping, we will call the morning of your appointment or, in the case of extreme…
February through September, our lead time is usually about two weeks. During the busy autumn and winter season, October through January, lead times can be as much as 4-5 weeks. We recommend having your chimney swept or fireplace serviced in the spring or summer, so it will always be ready to use when it gets…
We offer two inspection types for insurance reports: Level 2 and Level 3. A level 2 inspection is a video inspection, where we send a special camera down your chimney to take images of the inside. A level 3 inspection involves taking apart the chimney to look at the inside. This work is done on…
For an inspection, the chimney needs to be very clean in order to see if there are cracks or damage. If your chimney is clean enough, we can do an inspection without sweeping it. In most cases we bill inspections as regular service calls. Please see our pricing page for our rates for service calls.
That kind of installation is referred to by fireplace professionals as a “slammer,” and it does not meet building code. We cannot work on installations that are in violation of code. We’d be happy to work with you to bring it up to NFI standards.
A standard sweep would apply to almost all woodburning fireplaces, and woodstoves installed with either a full stainless steel liner (all the way to the top of the chimney) inside a masonry chimney, an insulated metal chimney, or a thimble into a properly sized terra cotta lined masonry chimney. How to determine if the flue…
Sometimes third degree creosote (a black, shiny, tarry, and highly flammable coating on the flue tiles) cannot be removed with a regular chimney brush. It requires a device that rotates chains rapidly to break up the glazed creosote. While this process does not harm tiles in good condition, it can cause previously damaged liners to…
Only if your home is more than 20 miles from our shop. For locations more than 20 miles from our showroom, we do apply a nominal trip charge to cover vehicle expenses and travel time. Please see our service pricing page for more details. Neighbors can schedule sweeps together to split the charge (although due to…
There can be. If a chimney is particularly tall, and/or the roof is particularly steep or difficult to access (e.g. slate shingles), then safety equipment or scaffolding — or in rare cases a man lift — may be required. We always try to sweep chimneys in the most efficient and cost effective manner, but sometimes…
No. Chimneys built before 1940 are often raw brick (without terracotta liners). Unlined masonry chimneys do not meet code and are not safe to use. They cannot be swept, but we can work with you to bring your chimney up to code.