Chimney sweep
A chimney sweep removes the soot and creosote that wood fires leave inside the flue. We brush the flue and the stove connector, clear the smoke shelf, and look over the firebox and the cap while we are there.
See what's includedChimney services for Oak Park homes
Fireplaces, wood stoves and inserts, brick stacks and metal flue pipes: we sweep, clean, inspect and repair the whole path that carries the smoke out of your house.
Four parts that take the weather
The top of the chimney meets rain, snow and wind before anything else does, and these four parts decide how far the weather gets.
- The capThe metal cover over the flue. It shuts out rain, snow, leaves and animals, and its mesh lets smoke pass while holding sparks back.
- The crownThe slab on top of the brick. Once it cracks, rain soaks straight down into the stack.
- The brickBrick drinks water and gives it back. When it stays wet, winter freezes push its face off.
- The mortar jointsMortar is the soft part of the wall, and when its joints open, water slips behind the brick; that is where many masonry repairs begin.
Chimney repair
Chimney repair covers the parts that fail first: caps, crowns, flashing, metal flue pipes and the brick and mortar of the stack. We find where the weather gets in and repair that, on masonry chimneys and on metal ones.
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Chimney inspection
An inspection is a careful look at the condition of the whole chimney, with no brushing as the goal. We check the firebox and the damper, the smoke chamber, the flue as far as it can be seen, and the cap, crown and flashing on the roof.
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Chimney cleaning
Chimney cleaning is the deeper job for a chimney that has been neglected or that smells and smokes. We clear heavy creosote and soot, remove nests and fallen debris, and clean the smoke chamber, the firebox and the damper.
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Chimney crown repair
Crown repair restores the concrete or mortar slab on top of the chimney. We seal fine cracks, resurface a worn crown or break out and rebuild one that has failed, so that rain runs off the top instead of into the masonry.
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Chimney cap services
Cap services cover the metal cover on top of the chimney. We fit a new cap where there is none, replace one that is rusted or bent, and size the cap and its mesh to the flue, including wide lids over several flues.
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Chimney flashing repair
Flashing is the metal that bridges the chimney and the roof. We repair it where it has lifted, rusted or been smeared with sealant, setting new metal into the mortar joints so that water runs over the seam, not into it.
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Masonry restoration
Masonry restoration repairs the brick and mortar of the stack itself. We repoint joints that are open or sandy, replace bricks that have cracked or lost their face, and rebuild the top courses when they have gone loose.
See what's includedWhere we work
- Oak Park
Request an estimate
Fireplace, stove or insert? Tell us which, leave your number, and we call to book a visit.
Rather talk it through? Call(708) 734-2740