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 Shelton, CT
We’re not big on talking ourselves up. Photos do that better. Below you’ll see real chimney conditions we’ve found in Shelton homes and what they looked like after we finished. Every project includes a Level-2 camera inspection with photos you can see yourself, plus a plain-English verdict on what needs attention now and what can wait.
Recent Transformations
Heavy Creosote Buildup, Huntington Neighborhood
The homeowner on Constitution Boulevard South smelled smoke in their living room every time they ran the fireplace. We found glazed creosote nearly blocking the flue, a fire hazard that doesn’t brush off with a standard sweep. We used mechanical rotary cleaning to break up the hardened deposits, then ran our camera to confirm the flue was clear top to bottom. Fireplace draws properly now, and the photos are in their report.
Collapsed Clay Flue Liner, White Hills Area
A family near Shelton Lakes called because their carbon monoxide detector had triggered twice. Our camera found a clay liner that had collapsed in sections, sending exhaust into the chimney cavity instead of up and out. We installed a DuraFlex stainless steel liner sized to their appliance, sealed the connections with HeatShield, and pressure-tested the system. They heat with confidence now, and we marked the project files for their annual reminder.
Leaking Chimney Crown, Pine Rock Park Vicinity
Water stains on the ceiling near the chimney are a common call in Shelton’s older capes and ranches. This crown had cracked so badly that rainwater was running straight down the flue tiles. We removed the damaged concrete, formed a new crown with proper overhang and drip edge, and sealed it with a vapor-permeable crown coat. No more water, no more ceiling damage, and the repair is documented in their file for warranty reference.
Missing Chimney Cap, Downtown Shelton Near River Road
A River Road landlord called because tenants reported a smell and poor draft. We found a squirrel nest, leaves, and enough debris to half-block the flue. No cap, no screen, nothing stopping nature from moving in. We cleared the obstruction, swept the flue, and installed a Gelco stainless steel cap with proper mesh sizing to keep animals out while letting smoke escape. We see this exact scenario three or four times each fall in the Naugatuck River corridor.
Smoke Chamber Corrosion, Booth Hill Section
The smoke chamber is the area most homeowners never see, and the one that causes the most mysterious smoke problems. In this Booth Hill ranch, the corbelled brick was so rough that smoke tumbled instead of rising, backing up into the room whenever the wind shifted. We used HeatShield Cerfractory Foam to parge the chamber smooth, restoring the proper funnel shape to the flue. Camera verification before and after, photos in the report, problem solved.
Deteriorated Mortar Joints, Bridgeport Avenue Corridor
Brick chimneys in Shelton take a beating from freeze-thaw cycles, especially where roof runoff concentrates. This one had mortar so eroded that we could wiggle bricks by hand. We ground out the failed joints to proper depth, repointed with color-matched mortar rated for exterior chimney exposure, and sealed the crown while we were at it. Done right, and we stand behind it.
What Every Project Includes
- Level-2 camera inspection with photos you can see and a plain-English verdict
- No-hassle upfront pricing - the number on the estimate is the number on the invoice
- Professional-grade materials from DuraFlex, HeatShield, Gelco, Olympia Chimney, Famco, and Copperfield
- 90-Day Done Right Promise in writing, no arguing - if it’s not right, we come back
- Background-checked, uniformed technicians who complete most jobs in a single visit
What happens when you call
- 1
A real person answersNo phone trees - you reach a local pro.
- 2
You get an upfront price rangeHonest numbers before anyone is dispatched.
- 3
A background-checked tech heads outLicensed & insured, dispatched right away.
- 4
You approve before work beginsNothing starts until you say go.
Want Results Like These?
Call (475) 265-6822. A live person answers 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We’ll schedule your inspection, show you exactly what we find, and give you a square deal with no surprises on the bill. Estimates are free, and we serve every neighborhood in Shelton from Huntington to White Hills to Pine Rock Park.
Written by Russell Haines, Owner at Hearthstone Chimney Co., serving Shelton since 1984.