Services   Chimney, Woodstove, & Fireplace Sweeping   We perform a complete sweeping of the entire system, top to bottom, and always include an inspection with every sweep. Beware of companies that only run a quick brush through the flue, and don’t address the rest of your system at the lower end near the heat source. This area includes the smoke chamber, smoke shelf, and firebox. We call companies that just run a quick brush “Blow & Go’s”, since they provide substandard and shoddy service. Sweeping and inspecting a standard fireplace system should take at least an hour, and often takes longer. We will inspect your system for 3rd stage glaze creosote and remove it, if possible. This is the kind of creosote that can burn down an entire house. Don’t let anyone convince you they can simply blow air up the chimney and call it clean. Creosote must be mechanically swept and removed—it can’t just be blown out!       Tips As a rule of thumb, the single best thing you can do for your fireplace or woodstove system is to install a quality screened cap on top. Chimney caps protect your system from rain that causes rusting and mortar deterioration, help reduce wind-induced downdrafts, help keep sparks off your roof, and most importantly, keep critters such as squirrels, birds, and bats outside and out of your flue. There’s nothing worse than coming face-to-face with an angry mother raccoon protecting her babies when you open your damper! Inspections We offer NFPA 211 standard inspections (Level I, II, and III) Level I / visual or with camera Level II / camera inspection required Level III / involves partial destruction of system for inspection of hidden areas, typically reserved for in-depth or forensic investigation For more information on NFPA 211 levels of inspection, go to www.csia.org   Masonry Chimney Repairs We provide the following services for chimney repairs: Tuck pointing & diamond cut removal of rotted bricks CrownCoat® elastomeric crown repairs New Ahrens® style chimney crown tops Water repellant treatments of exterior bricks Firebox & smoke chamber repairs Flue relining services and HeatShield® flue restoration Installation of chimney caps, screens, firebacks & top-sealing dampers We specialize in Old Chicago brick restoration