The work falls into a few kinds of work. Some homes need cleaning: a chimney sweep, creosote removal, a fireplace insert or wood stove cleaning, or clearing a nest or blockage. Some need a repair, from masonry and flashing to liners, dampers and fireboxes. Others need an installation, such as a new insert, gas logs or a chimney cap. Dryer vents are part of the same work. We clean them, test airflow, and repair or reroute runs that keep clogging.
Chimney repair in Palo Alto
Chimney damage usually starts small and gets worse over time. Water gets into a hairline crack in the crown or a worn mortar joint. A few seasons later the brick is spalling, the flashing has pulled away, or there's a stain on the ceiling next to the chimney. Catching it early often means a targeted fix. Waiting can mean rebuilding a section.
Signs it's time to have a chimney looked at
- Water stains or damp spots on walls or ceilings near the chimney
- Flaking, crumbling or missing mortar between bricks
- Brick faces chipping or popping off
- Rust on the damper, firebox or chimney cap
- A damper that sticks, won't seal or won't open
- Smoke coming into the room instead of drafting up the flue
- A musty or smoky odor that lingers when the fireplace isn't in use
We handle repairs to brick, mortar, crowns and flashing, along with liner, damper, smoke chamber and firebox work. On prefab fireplaces we repair chases and chase covers. If rain, debris or animals are getting in from the top, adding or replacing a chimney cap is often the simplest fix. Many caps can include an animal screen or spark arrestor.
Palo Alto chimney inspection
An inspection tells you what condition the system is in before you light a fire, buy a house, or pay for a repair. We look at the cap, crown and flashing outside. We check the firebox, damper and smoke chamber inside. We also check the flue for creosote buildup, cracks or obstructions. When the flue interior can't be seen well enough from the ends, a camera inspection runs the full length of the liner and records what's there.
- Before the first fires of the season, or if the fireplace hasn't been used in years
- When buying or selling a home with a fireplace or wood stove
- After a storm, a chimney fire, or anything else that could have shifted or cracked the masonry
- When you notice smoke, odors, water or draft problems and want the cause found first
If you're not sure what you need, start with a full chimney inspection. It will show whether a cleaning will do or whether something needs repair.
