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 Chesapeake, VA
We’re not big on talking ourselves up. Most Chesapeake homeowners have heard enough sales pitches to last a lifetime. What we can show you is what actually comes out of a chimney, what a proper sweep changes, and what we find when we get inside with a camera. The photos below are from real jobs around Hampton Roads. Judge the work for yourself.
Recent Transformations
Heavy Creosote Buildup, Great Bridge
The homeowner in Great Bridge smelled something acrid every time they ran the fireplace. We found glazed creosote a quarter-inch thick, the result of years of slow burns with unseasoned wood common in Chesapeake’s coastal oak and pine supply. Our technician ran a rotary poly sweep with mechanical whips to break the glaze, then a Level-2 camera inspection to confirm the flue was sound underneath. Burning season started two weeks later with a clean stack and photos the homeowner could see for themselves.
Blocked Flue from Bird Nesting, Deep Creek
A family in Deep Creek called in late March with smoke backing up into the living room. We found a starling nest packed from the smoke shelf to the first flue joint, typical for Chesapeake after winter roosting season. We removed the nesting material by hand and rotary brush, ran a camera to check for hidden debris, and installed a Gelco cap with 3/4-inch mesh to keep birds out while letting smoke flow. No more smoke, no more birds, and the cap’s guaranteed for life against rust-through.
Flue Tile Spalling After Water Intrusion, Greenbrier
The chimney in this Greenbrier ranch had no cap and a cracked crown, so Chesapeake’s driving rains had been washing down the flue for years. Clay tiles were spalling, corners crumbling, gaps opening between joints. We couldn’t just sweep this one and call it good. We documented the damage with camera photos the homeowner could see, then installed a DuraFlex stainless steel liner rated for wood, pellet, or gas, rebuilt the crown with proper slope and drip edge, and capped it. The liner carries a lifetime warranty. The crown work is covered under our 90-Day Done Right Promise.
Prefabricated Fireplace Soot Overload, Hickory
Prefabricated fireplaces in Hickory’s newer developments don’t have clay flues; they’ve got metal chimneys with precise clearances and baffle systems that soot loves to clog. This one was drafting poorly, smoking at startup, and the homeowner had been told they needed a full replacement. We disassembled the firebox per the manufacturer’s manual, cleaned the refractory panels, cleared the air channels, and ran a separate sweep of the metal flue. Camera inspection showed no warping or corrosion. Total cost was a fraction of replacement, and the unit runs like it was designed to.
Chimney Fire Aftermath, Western Branch
The homeowner in Western Branch heard a rumbling noise and saw flames at the chimney top one cold night in January. They put it out, didn’t call anyone, and used the fireplace twice more before calling us. We found puffed creosote, a classic sign of a chimney fire, and hairline cracks in the flue tiles that would have let combustion gases into the wall cavity. Rather than a full rebuild, we were able to resurface the flue with HeatShield cerfractory sealant, applied in three lifts and verified smooth by camera. The alternative was a $4,000+ tear-out. We documented every step with photos and a written verdict the homeowner could understand.
Annual Maintenance Sweep, South Norfolk
Not every job is a disaster. This South Norfolk homeowner has us out every August, before Chesapeake’s fall burning season starts. The flue had normal soot from a winter of weekend fires, nothing dramatic, but the peace of mind matters. We swept, ran the camera, checked the cap and crown, and confirmed everything was sound. The whole visit took under two hours. They’ll call us next August, and we’ll know exactly what we found last time. That’s how you avoid surprises.
Want Results Like These?
Every job above started with a phone call to a live person, not a voicemail maze. We’ll give you upfront pricing before we book, show you camera photos of what we find, and stand behind the work with our 90-Day Done Right Promise in writing. No arguing, no paperwork chase. Call (757) 590-6579 to schedule your sweep, inspection, or repair. Estimates are free, and we’re here every day, every hour.
Written by Russell Haines, Owner at Hearthstone Chimney Co., serving Chesapeake since 1984.