Answers
Chimney Questions from Warwick Homeowners
The questions that come up most on calls — sweeping frequency, inspection levels, draft problems, leaks and what things cost.
Sweeping and maintenance
How often does a chimney need to be swept?
Once a year for any fireplace or stove in regular use, and more often for heavy burners or anyone burning wood that isn't fully seasoned. Gas appliances don't produce creosote but still need the flue checked annually for blockages, corrosion and liner damage. More detail in how often a chimney should be cleaned.
How long does a chimney sweep appointment take?
A straightforward sweep and visual check usually runs about an hour. Add time if the flue is heavily loaded, if there's an insert that has to come out, or if you want a camera inspection with documentation.
Is sweeping messy?
Not when it's done with containment. The hearth gets sealed, drop cloths go down, and a HEPA vacuum runs while the flue is brushed. Soot ends up in the vacuum.
What's the difference between a cleaning and an inspection?
Cleaning removes creosote and debris. Inspection assesses condition — liner integrity, crown, cap, flashing, firebox, clearances. They're usually done in the same visit because a swept flue can actually be seen.
Inspections
Do I need an inspection to sell my house?
Not legally, but buyers' home inspectors regularly flag chimneys without being able to evaluate them properly. A documented chimney inspection answers the flag before it becomes a negotiation.
What are the chimney inspection levels?
Level 1 is a visual check of readily accessible areas for a chimney in continued service with no changes. Level 2 adds video scanning of the flue interior and accessible attic, crawl space and roof areas — it's the one used for property sales, fuel or appliance changes, and after events like a chimney fire. Level 3 involves opening up concealed areas when a serious hazard is suspected. See what happens during a chimney inspection.
Can I sweep my own chimney?
You can brush a straight, accessible flue yourself, and some homeowners do. What a DIY sweep doesn't give you is the inspection: liner cracks, a failing crown, gaps in the smoke chamber, and improper clearances are the things that actually cause fires, and they're only visible if you know where to look.
How do I know if I've had a chimney fire?
Common evidence includes puffy, honeycombed creosote, cracked or shifted flue tiles, warped damper components, discolored chimney exterior, and pieces of creosote on the roof or ground. Many chimney fires burn out on their own without anyone noticing, and the damage they leave is why a post-event inspection matters.
Problems and repairs
Why does smoke come into the room when I light a fire?
Cold flue, closed or broken damper, blockage, an oversized flue for the appliance, negative pressure in a tight house, or a smoke chamber that was never properly formed. Full breakdown in why your fireplace smokes into the room.
What causes water to come down the chimney?
Most often a missing or damaged cap, a cracked crown, failed flashing where the chimney meets the roof, or porous brick absorbing wind-driven rain. Diagnosing which one is the whole job — see chimney leak repair.
Does a chimney need a liner?
Any chimney venting an appliance needs a liner suited to that appliance. Older unlined flues and cracked clay tile liners let heat and combustion gases reach the surrounding structure. Stainless relining is the usual fix.
Working with us
How much does chimney work cost?
An inspection is a flat $69. Repairs aren't quotable over the phone, because the same symptom can mean a small fix or a rebuild — those get quoted in writing once we've seen the chimney, itemized, before any work begins.
What are your hours, and do you take weekend calls?
Seven days a week, 6:00 AM to 9:00 PM. Weekends are normal working days here, and early or late appointments don't carry a surcharge. We take emergency calls too, and work the highest-priority emergency first. If you smell smoke in the house, hear a roaring sound from the chimney, or a CO alarm sounds, get everyone out and call 911 first.
Are you licensed, insured and certified?
All three. We're CSIA certified — the Chimney Safety Institute of America credential — and we'll show you the current license and certificate of insurance on request before work starts. The company has been doing this for 47 years and is owned and run by Joseph Ericson.
What payment methods do you accept?
Cash, check, credit card and Zelle.
Is there a warranty on the work?
Yes — our work carries a 90-day warranty. If something we repaired isn't holding, call and we'll come back out. Parts and liners also carry their own manufacturer warranties, and we hand you that paperwork.
Which towns do you cover?
Warwick and the surrounding communities including Florida, Pine Island, Greenwood Lake, Bellvale, Edenville, Amity, Sugar Loaf, Chester, Goshen and New Milford, plus Vernon and Glenwood just over the New Jersey line. See the service areas page.
Still have a question?
Call (845) 685-9770 and describe what you're seeing. If it's something we can answer in five minutes on the phone, we will.