Level 1 sweep and inspection to the NFPA 211 annual standard - flue, crown, cap, and flashing checked and photographed
Chimney sweep logs do not sweep chimneys. They loosen some creosote - which then falls where a brush and vacuum still have to collect it.
Before
After
Before
After
Before
AfterChimney Cleaning Before & After in Columbia, MD
We’ve been sweeping, inspecting, and repairing chimneys across Columbia since 1984. Over 42 years, you learn that a clean flue isn’t just about looks. It’s about draft, safety, and knowing what’s actually going on up there. These are real jobs we’ve handled. The photos tell the rest.
Recent Transformations
Heavy Creosote Buildup in a Wilde Lake Colonial
The homeowner in Wilde Lake smelled smoke in the upstairs hallway every time they ran a fire. Our Level-2 camera inspection showed glazed creosote more than a quarter-inch thick, choking the flue and sending exhaust into the chase. We used rotary whips and professional-grade poly brushes to break it loose, then ran the camera again so they could see the difference. Draft tested normal after. They’ve burned three cords since with no smoke smell.
Blocked Flue from Animal Nesting in River Hill
A River Hill family called in October after their fireplace filled the living room with smoke on the first cold night. We found a squirrel nest packed tight above the smoke shelf, plus three years of leaves and compacted debris. We cleared it by hand and vacuum, swept the flue, and installed a Gelco stainless cap with mesh sides. The cap’s the important part. Without it, you’re renting your flue to wildlife.
Cracked Flue Tiles and Soot Fall in Hickory Ridge
The Hickory Ridge homeowner found black grit in their firebox every week, no matter how little they burned. Camera inspection showed three cracked flue tiles shedding shards and soot down the chimney. Sweeping alone wouldn’t fix it. We cleaned the flue, then applied HeatShield cerfractory liner to seal the cracks and restore a smooth venting surface. The soot fall stopped. Their fire draws cleaner now, and the liner carries a lifetime warranty through HeatShield.
Water-Damaged Smoke Chamber in Kings Contrivance
A Kings Contrivance rancher had a chimney leak that went unaddressed for two seasons. By the time we arrived, the smoke chamber was crumbling, the damper was rusted half-shut, and the homeowner couldn’t get a fire to stay lit. We repaired the crown, sealed the exposed brick, and parged the smoke chamber with proper refractory mix to restore the smooth funnel shape that draws smoke upward. The damper got freed and coated. Fire stays lit now. Water stays out.
Neglected Flue in an Owen Brown Townhouse
The Owen Brown townhouse hadn’t been swept since the previous owner, fourteen years back. The new owners wanted to use the fireplace for real heat, not decoration. We found a flue packed with crumbly creosote, a dislodged liner section, and a bird skeleton wedged in the damper. Took most of a day. We swept to NFPA 211 standard, reseated the liner, and gave them photos showing clear flue from top to bottom. They heat with it now. Annual sweep scheduled.
Factory-Built Chimney Restoration in Dorsey’s Search
The Dorsey’s Search condo had a factory-built metal chimney that the HOA said needed attention. Chase cover was rusted through, water had gotten to the framing, and the original liner was separating at the joints. We installed a DuraFlex stainless liner sized to the appliance, replaced the chase cover with proper drip edges, and capped it with a weather-tight top. The HOA inspector signed off. No more water stains on the ceiling.
What You’re Actually Looking At
Every photo above came from a Level-2 camera inspection. We document what we find like an engineer, then explain it like a craftsman. You get the photos. You get a plain-English verdict. Nothing gets recommended without evidence you can see for yourself.
Some of these jobs needed more than a sweep. When that’s the case, we say so, and we say plainly when work can safely wait. The 90-Day Done Right Promise covers everything we touch. In writing. No arguing.
Want Results Like These?
Call (443) 899-1174. A live person answers, 24 hours a day. We’ll book your inspection, show you what we find, and give you upfront pricing before any work starts. The number on the estimate is the number on the invoice. Done right, and we stand behind it.
Written by Russell Haines, Owner at Hearthstone Chimney Co., serving Columbia since 1984.