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 Ellicott City, MD
We’ve been sweeping chimneys in Ellicott City since 1984, and we’ve learned that most homeowners don’t realize how far their system has deteriorated until they see it with their own eyes. These aren’t stock photos. They’re the actual conditions our technicians find in Howard County homes, and what proper chimney cleaning and repair looks like when it’s done right.
Recent Transformations
Stage 3 Creosote Buildup, Ellicott City Historic District
The homeowner on Main Street thought their fireplace “just didn’t draw well anymore.” What we found was glazed creosote nearly an inch thick, hardened by years of smoldering fires and damp Ellicott City winters. This is the stuff chimney fires are made of. Our technician used rotary mechanical cleaning to break down the glaze, followed by a Level-2 camera inspection so the homeowner could see every inch of the now-clean flue. The system went from a hidden fire risk to a source of heat they could use with confidence.
Blocked Chimney Cap, Columbia Border Neighborhood
A family near the Columbia border called because smoke was seeping into their den every time they lit a fire. The cap was packed solid with last autumn’s leaves and what looked like a failed squirrel nesting attempt. We cleared the blockage, swept the flue, and installed a proper Gelco cap with stainless steel mesh. No more smoke in the house. No more animals treating their chimney like an apartment.
Cracked Crown Letting Water In, Centennial Area
Water stains on the ceiling near the fireplace usually mean the crown has failed. In this Centennial-area home, the concrete crown had cracked clean through, letting rain run straight down the flue liner every time a Maryland thunderstorm rolled through. We rebuilt the crown with proper slope and seal, then ran our camera to confirm the flue itself hadn’t been compromised. The homeowner’s been dry through two seasons now.
Deteriorated Clay Liner, Turf Valley Vicinity
The clay liner in this Turf Valley-area chimney had shattered in multiple sections, likely from a chimney fire the previous owner never mentioned. Gaps between the pieces meant combustion gases and heat could reach the wooden framing. That’s not a cleaning problem, it’s a safety problem. We installed a continuous DuraFlex stainless steel liner, properly sized for the fireplace, with a new cap and connection plate. The camera footage before and after tells the whole story, and the homeowner has it on file.
Firebox Smoke Staining, Old Ellicott City
Smoke stains on the firebox face aren’t just unsightly. They mean smoke isn’t going up the flue the way it should. In this Old Ellicott City home, the firebox mortar was crumbling and the smoke shelf was packed with ash from decades of use. We repointed the joints with proper refractory mortar, applied HeatShield where the brick had spalled, and swept the system top to bottom. The fireplace draws clean now, and the living room doesn’t smell like last winter’s fires.
Neglected Flue in a Recently Purchased Home, Dorsey Hall
New homeowners in Dorsey Hall called us before their first fire, which is exactly the right move. The inspection revealed a flue that hadn’t been swept in years, with enough loose debris to restrict airflow and enough creosote to worry about. We swept it, camera-inspected it, and gave them a written condition report they could file with their home records. They lit their first fire knowing exactly what they had.
Want Results Like These?
Every project here follows the same process: show up when we say, inspect with a camera so you see what we see, explain the work in plain English, and stand behind it with our 90-Day Done Right Promise in writing. No arguing. Call (410) 305-7884 and a live person will answer, 24 hours a day. We’ll schedule your sweep, inspection, or repair, and you’ll get upfront pricing with no surprises on the bill.
Written by Russell Haines, Owner at Hearthstone Chimney Co., serving Ellicott City since 1984.