Services
Chimney Services
Sweeping, caps, liners, fireplace and masonry repairs, all diagnosed properly before any work is quoted.
Chimney Sweeping in Philadelphia
Soot and creosote cleared from the flue with rod and brush, from firebox to cap.
What's included
- Full brush and rod sweep of the flue
- Firebox and smoke chamber cleared
- Creosote and soot bagged and removed
- Damper checked for free movement
- Tarps down to protect floors and furniture
- Debris swept from the hearth
I run brushes the full length of the flue to strip off the soot and creosote that builds up every time you burn wood. Left alone it narrows the flue, blocks the draw and is the main cause of chimney fires, so this is the job that keeps everything else safe to use.
I lay tarps before I start, work from the firebox up, and bag the soot as it comes down rather than letting it settle on your floors. When I'm done I check the damper opens and closes properly and take a look up the flue to flag anything else that needs attention.
Chimney Cap Installation in Philadelphia
A cap fitted over the flue to keep rain, birds and debris out of the chimney.
What's included
- Cap sized and fitted to your flue
- Mesh screening to keep animals out
- Fixed securely to withstand wind
- Existing cap removed if damaged
- Crown checked while up on the roof
- Flue checked for a clear top
Water is one of the biggest causes of chimney damage, and an open flue lets rain straight in along with birds, squirrels and leaves. A cap sized correctly to your flue and fixed down properly stops all of that while still letting smoke draw out normally.
While I'm up on the roof I take the chance to look over the crown and the top few courses of brick, since that's where weather damage usually starts. If the old cap is rusted or missing I'll replace it as part of the same visit rather than sending you up a ladder separately.
Chimney Liner Installation in Philadelphia
A new liner run the full height of the flue to protect the masonry and vent safely.
What's included
- Old liner removed if damaged
- New liner sized to fireplace or stove
- Fitted the full height of the flue
- Sealed and connected at appliance
- Insulation wrap where needed
- Flue tested for a clean draw
A cracked or missing liner lets heat and combustion gases reach the brickwork directly, which is a fire risk and a big part of why liners get replaced. I fit a liner sized correctly to whatever's connected to it, whether that's an open fireplace, an insert or a wood stove, so it vents properly and protects the chimney around it.
This is one of the bigger jobs I do, and I'll walk you through what size and type of liner your setup actually needs rather than defaulting to the most expensive option. Once it's in I test the draw to make sure smoke is pulling up and out the way it should.
Fireplace Repair in Philadelphia
Cracked fireboxes, stuck dampers and worn surrounds fixed so the fireplace works properly again.
What's included
- Firebox cracks repaired or rebuilt
- Damper freed up or replaced
- Surround and hearth repairs
- Smoke chamber parging where needed
- Gas or wood fireplace components checked
- Tarps down for a clean job
When a fireplace stops drawing well, smokes into the room, or has visible cracks in the firebox, I get in and find out exactly what's causing it before suggesting any fix. A lot of the time it's a damper that's rusted stuck or a firebox joint that's opened up with heat over the years.
I'll repair what can be repaired rather than pushing a full rebuild, and if the surround or hearth has taken damage I'll put that right too. Tarps go down before I start, and the area gets cleaned up properly once the work is finished.
Chimney Inspections in Philadelphia
A close look at the flue, liner and masonry to find the actual cause before anything is quoted.
What's included
- Flue checked top to bottom
- Liner condition assessed
- Masonry and crown examined
- Damper and firebox checked
- Cap and flashing looked over
- Written findings before any work
Before I quote for any repair I want to know what's actually wrong, not guess at it. That means getting up on the roof to look at the crown and cap, checking the liner for cracks or gaps, and looking over the masonry for spalling or open joints.
Once I've been through it I'll tell you plainly what I found and what, if anything, needs doing. If it's nothing serious I'll say so. If there's a real issue I'll explain what caused it and what fixing it properly involves.
Masonry & Chimney Repairs in Philadelphia
Repointing, crown repair and brick fixes to keep the chimney sound and weathertight.
What's included
- Repointing of open or crumbling joints
- Crown cracks repaired or rebuilt
- Spalled brick replaced
- Flashing checked and resealed
- Chimney chase inspected
- Structure checked for stability
Brick and mortar take a beating from freeze-thaw cycles and years of weather, and once joints start opening up water gets in and the damage accelerates fast. I repoint where the mortar has failed and replace individual bricks where they've spalled, rather than jumping straight to a full rebuild.
The crown is the part I check most closely, since a cracked crown lets water run straight down into the chimney structure. I'll repair or rebuild it as needed, check the flashing where the chimney meets the roof, and make sure the whole structure is sound before I call the job done.
How It Works
Three steps, no pressure
1
Call or message
Tell me what's going on with your chimney or fireplace. I'll ask enough to know whether I need to come out and look at it myself.
2
Free survey & quote
I come out, look at the actual problem, and give you a straight, fixed price. No scare tactics and no upselling.
3
The work
I get it done properly, protect your home with tarps while I work, and leave everything clean and tidy when I'm finished.