Services
Chimney Services in West Memphis
Sweeping, inspections, relines, caps and repairs for fireplaces, wood stoves and inserts across the Mid-South, all done by hand and checked properly before I leave.
Chimney Sweeping in West Memphis
Brushed and vacuumed top to bottom to clear creosote and blockages so the flue draws the way it should.
What's included
- Full brush sweep of the flue
- Creosote and soot removal
- Smoke chamber checked and cleared
- Firebox and damper wiped down
- Vacuum containment to protect the room
- Debris bagged and hauled off
I sweep the flue from the top down with the right size brush for that liner, then vacuum the firebox and smoke shelf so nothing gets left behind. Creosote builds up every burning season, and past a certain point it's not just dirty, it's a fire risk, so I check as I go rather than just running a brush through and calling it done.
Before I pack up I look over the damper, firebox and smoke chamber while everything's clear, since that's the easiest time to spot a crack or a loose brick. If something needs more than a sweep I'll tell you straight, rather than sweeping around it and hoping it holds another season.
Stove & Insert Sweeping in West Memphis
Wood stoves and inserts pull apart differently to an open fireplace, and I clean the baffles and pipe the way that stove is built.
What's included
- Stove or insert disassembled as needed
- Baffle and flue pipe cleaned
- Catalytic combustor checked, if fitted
- Glass and gasket inspected
- Ash and creosote removed
- Reassembled and tested
An insert or freestanding stove has its own flue pipe running up inside the masonry chimney, plus a baffle and sometimes a catalytic combustor that all need attention on their own terms, not just a brush down the main flue. I take apart what needs taking apart to actually get at the creosote rather than cleaning around it.
Gaskets and glass seals wear out too, and a stove that isn't sealing properly burns less efficiently and pushes smoke back into the room. I check those while I've got it open, so you're not finding out about a bad seal partway through winter.
Chimney Inspections in West Memphis
A proper look at the flue, crown, cap and masonry to catch problems while they're still small and cheap to fix.
What's included
- Flue liner checked for cracks or gaps
- Crown and cap condition assessed
- Masonry and mortar joints inspected
- Firebox and damper checked
- Signs of water entry noted
- Written summary of what I find
I inspect the whole system, not just what's visible from the fireplace opening. That means the crown and cap from outside, the flue liner condition, and the mortar joints on the stack itself, since that's usually where age and weather show up first, especially on older Mid-South homes.
On a house that's a hundred years old or more, a lot of this comes down to knowing what's original and what's been patched over the decades. I'll tell you plainly what's sound, what's wearing, and what actually needs doing now versus what can wait.
Flue Relining in West Memphis
Damaged, unlined or undersized flues get a full stainless liner sleeved through from top to bottom.
What's included
- Old liner or unlined flue assessed
- Correctly sized liner sleeved through
- Insulation wrap where needed
- Top plate and cap fitted to match
- Connection to stove or fireplace sealed
- System tested before I finish
A cracked clay liner or a chimney with no liner at all lets heat and combustion gases get too close to the surrounding masonry and framing, which is a genuine safety issue, not just an efficiency one. I run a new stainless liner the full length of the flue, sized correctly for what's connected to it.
On older homes especially, this often means working through a chimney that was never built with a liner in mind, so it can mean insulating the liner, fitting a proper top plate, and sealing every connection point rather than just pushing a sleeve down and hoping it fits.
Chimney Caps & Custom Covers in West Memphis
Caps and custom-fit covers to keep rain, birds, squirrels and debris out of the flue.
What's included
- Cap sized and fitted to the flue
- Custom covers for irregular chimneys
- Mesh screening to keep animals out
- Existing damaged caps replaced
- Multi-flue caps where needed
- Sealed and checked for fit
An open flue is an open door for rain, nesting birds and squirrels, and a chimney with a missing or rusted-out cap will let all three in eventually. I fit caps sized to the actual flue rather than a generic size that leaves gaps, and where a chimney is an odd shape or has more than one flue, I make up a custom cover to fit it properly.
This one's cheap insurance against bigger problems. Keeping water and animals out of the flue protects the liner and firebox underneath, and it's a lot less than dealing with the damage they cause once they're in.
Waterproofing & Repairs in West Memphis
Masonry repairs and waterproofing to stop water quietly breaking down brick and mortar from the inside out.
What's included
- Water-repellent masonry sealant applied
- Cracked or spalling brick repaired
- Mortar joints repointed
- Crown repaired or rebuilt
- Flashing checked where chimney meets roof
- Efflorescence and staining addressed
Water damage on a chimney is usually invisible until it isn't, working through hairline cracks in the crown or mortar for years before you see spalling brick or staining inside the house. I apply a breathable water-repellent sealant to the masonry and fix the cracks and joints that are letting water in in the first place.
On older brick and limestone chimneys this takes some care, since you want the wall to still breathe once it's sealed, not trap moisture in. Where the crown or flashing itself is the problem, I repair or rebuild that too rather than just sealing over it.
How It Works
Three steps, no pressure
1
Call or message
Tell Drew what's going on, whether it's a routine sweep, a stove that needs cleaning, or something you've noticed that doesn't look right.
2
Free survey & fixed quote
Drew looks at the chimney, explains what he's finding, and gives you a fixed price before anything starts.
3
The work
Drew does the job properly, whether that's an hour's sweep or a full day sleeving an old chimney in a tight crawlspace.