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 Fredericksburg, VA
Anyone can say they clean chimneys. We prefer to show you what that actually looks like. These are real jobs we’ve handled across Fredericksburg, from historic homes near Caroline Street to newer builds in Spotsylvania Courthouse. The camera doesn’t lie about creosote buildup, cracked flue tiles, or water damage. And we don’t either.
Recent Transformations
Level-3 Creosote Removal, Downtown Fredericksburg Historic District
The homeowner on Princess Anne Street had been burning seasoned oak for fifteen winters without a sweep. What started as soft soot had baked into third-degree glazed creosote, that shiny black coating you can’t brush off with a hardware-store kit. We used rotary chain whips and chemical treatment to break the glaze, then ran our camera to prove every inch was clean. The flue was sound underneath, so a liner wasn’t needed. Done right, and we stand behind it.
Fireplace Smoke Stain Restoration, Falmouth Waterfront Property
This Rappahannock River home had smoke stains creeping across the Rumford-style fireplace face from a damper that wouldn’t fully open. The owners thought they’d need repointing or worse. We found the damper linkage was simply rusted and misaligned, cleaned the assembly, and treated the brick with neutral-pH cleaner that lifted the carbon without etching the mortar. Most of what looked like damage was just years of accumulated grime. Photos you can see, a plain-English verdict.
Chimney Cap Replacement with Animal Exclusion, Hartwood
A family in Hartwood called us in March after hearing scratching above the firebox. The original galvanized cap had rusted through and fallen off, leaving an open invitation to squirrels and rain. We removed two seasons of nesting material, swept the flue, and installed a Gelco stainless steel cap with 5/8-inch mesh that meets Virginia wildlife code. The crown got a Copperfield sealant treatment while we were up there. Most jobs completed in a single visit.
Factory-Built Fireplace Chase Cover Replacement, Spotsylvania Courthouse
The chase cover on this 1990s prefab unit had been rusting quietly for years, sending water down the chase and staining the vinyl siding. By the time we got the call, the interior chase was damp and the firebox surround was starting to swell. We fabricated a custom Olympia Chimney stainless cover with proper drip edges and cross-break to shed water, sealed the chase top, and ran our camera to confirm the flue was still dry and intact. No surprises on the bill, and no talk of a full rebuild that wasn’t warranted.
HeatShield Flue Resurfacing, Ferry Farm Area
This 1960s ranch near Ferry Farm had a terracotta flue that was structurally sound but badly spalled, with mortar joints eroded enough to let gases and sparks migrate. A full liner would have worked but cost significantly more. We recommended HeatShield cerfractory resurfacing instead, applied with their specialized foam applicator and cured to a smooth, gas-tight finish. The Level-2 inspection afterward showed zero gaps. In writing, no arguing.
Chimney Crown Rebuild with Proper Overhang, Chancellor
The crown on this Chancellor home was the original thin concrete wash the builder had slapped on in 1987. It had hairline cracks across the whole surface and was funneling water straight into the brickwork below. We formed and poured a proper 4-inch reinforced crown with a 2-inch overhang and drip edge to keep water off the masonry walls, sealed it with Copperfield crown coat, and replaced the rusted flashing while we had the scaffolding up. We’ll be there when we say.
Want Results Like These?
Every job here started with a phone call to (540) 596-5531. A live person answers, 24 hours a day, every day. We’ll schedule your Level-2 camera inspection, show you exactly what we find, and give you no-hassle upfront pricing before any work begins. Call (540) 596-5531 or book online. The number on the estimate is the number on the invoice.
Written by Russell Haines, Owner at Hearthstone Chimney Co., serving Fredericksburg since 1984.