Cornerstone Chimney® - Specializing In All Aspects of Chimney Maintenance & Repair                    

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

      

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Chimney Cleanings

Inspections (Type I & II)

    Cap Sales & Installations   Purchase & Sale Package
    Crown Repairs   Damper Installation & Repair
    Tuckpointing   Wood Stove Installation
    Flashing Repair   Pellet Stove Installation
  Waterproofing Veneering & Restoration
  Linings & Relining Animal Removal 
  Firebox Repairs Emergencies 
  Demolish/Rebuild Fireplace Gifts & Accessories

 

Weekend & Early Bird Appointments Available

   

- Pre-Screened Top Rated Service Company  

           
   

                                        Chimney Cleanings

     
 

Our company has developed a cleaning system guaranteed to give our clients a top-quality chimney cleaning.  Our certified technicians go through an intensive in-house training program to become fully acclimated to our system. We only use state-of-the-art equipment and our technicians understand that excellent customer service skills, and maintaining a clean environment for our clients is key to our success. Safety inspections of chimney/flues are an extremely important service offered to all clients.

 

Fireplace, Wood Stove or Insert Flues 
If you have a fireplace, wood burning stove or insert, you most likely have creosote build-up in your chimney. As wood burns, the combustion process produces solid byproducts that build up in your chimney or flue pipe as a black, sticky layer that is highly combustible. Without regular maintenance this combustible material " creosote " will eventually block the flue preventing proper drafting and may even cause a chimney fire. The only way to remove these deposits is through regular cleaning. All chimneys that connect to appliances that burn fuel and are vented to the outdoors are required by NFPA 211 to be inspected annually and cleaned when needed. This is a recognized national standard. 

Furnace Flues 
The incomplete by-product of combustion of fuel oil is unburned carbon & sulphur called oil soot. Oil soot accumulates on the walls and at the base of the chimney, which should be inspected and cleaned annually. Blocked furnace flues can send carbon monoxide fumes or soot to back up into the home. Discoloration or stains on walls and appliance casing may be signs of a partially blocked flue which should be remedied immediately. All chimneys that connect to appliances that burn fuel and are vented to the outdoors are required by NFPA 211 to be inspected annually. 

 

 

 

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                                   Inspections (Type I & II)

     
 

Type I Inspection

 

A type I inspection involves a visual inspection performed by our Certified technicians after the flue is cleaned (swept).  Our inspectors will view the chimney/flue by looking up through the flue from the bottom with a strong light, This process is then repeated from the chimney top. Our inspector may also perform a walk-thru, following the chimney up through the dwelling, inspecting the external walls of the chimney at all visible locations. This is the most basic type of inspection, but it will uncover most serious problems. This inspection is always included with a flue cleaning.   Upon completion, our inspector will provide our clients with a system evaluation & condition report. 

Type II Inspection


Type II inspections typically involve inspecting the chimney flue with a s.  During this inspection, a camera is either lowered down or raised up through the flue. A monitor allows the inspector to view the condition of the internal walls of the entire flue. The technician then has the option of taking instant  pictures or making a video tape of the entire flue. The client can view the entire inspection immediately following this inspection. 

 

 

 

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            Purchase & Sales Package

   
 

Your home inspector may not be able to determine the condition or the costs associated with repairing your chimney flue. To ensure a chimney flue is defect free and meets current NFPA standards have it professionally inspected by a reputable chimney company. We understand that timing, proper documentation & communication to multiple parties is critical during when a P&S is in progress. Our Purchase & Sale package includes a type 1 inspection by our certified technicians after the flue is cleaned. 

 

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        Chimney Cap Sales & Installation

   
 

We offer a full line of chimney caps that are both durable and affordable. Our caps are guaranteed to keep out animals and protect your chimney from the corrosive elements.

 

 

 

 

 

 

     

                           Chimney Relining

        
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A chimney with a damaged liner or an improperly lined chimney can be a seriously dangerous hazard to your home and family.  The purpose of a flue-liner is to contain the heat and smoke created by a chimney fire and to prevent it from reaching and damaging the building the chimney is attached to.

Under no circumstances should fires be built in fireplaces or furnaces which vent to chimneys that have a damaged or improper flue-liner.  Unlined or damaged chimneys allow heat and smoke to move through the brick chimney walls very quickly and will easily allow the adjacent wood to catch fire.  In addition, poorly lines chimneys venting gas or oil burning appliances can allow poisonous gases such as carbon monoxide to leak into the dwelling with fatal consequences.

 

 

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                       Damper Installation & Repair

     

 

A damper is the movable plate used for controlling the flow of air and smoke in a fireplace. Dampers can rust, warp and need replacement. Top-sealing dampers mount to the top of the chimney and are controlled by a stainless steel cable that attaches to a handle in the firebox area. Top-sealing dampers are used to replace deteriorated, malfunctioning or missing dampers. Dampers reduce heat loss, eliminate down drafts, and save on heating and air conditioning costs.

 

 

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                                      Crown Repair

     
                                                                                                                                                                   

The crown is the cement slab placed on top of a masonry chimney. There are two types of masonry crowns, poured in place or pre fabricated and the repairs vary for each type. If deterioration is present and left unattended it will eventually lead to damage to the chimney structure beneath. Depending on the severity of damage and type of crown, repairs range from minor crown seals to complete crown rebuilds. 

 

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                                   Firebox Repair

     
                                                                                                                                                                   

The firebox is the part of the fireplace where the wood is placed in order to make a fire. If you have an older home, you may find that your firebox has cracked bricks or deteriorating mortar joints causing a potential fire hazard. Depending on the severity of damage of the firebox, repairs range can from minor tuckpointing to a complete firebox rebuild to restore the structural integrity of the firebox. There are also other options available which your technician can discuss with you during the inspection process.. 

    

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                Flashing Repair

        
 

Flashing involves sealing the cracks between the chimney and roof lining with a special high-temperature sealant to stop water damage. If watermarks are present on your ceiling near your chimney flashing could be the culprit.

  

        

   

 

 

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              Waterproofing

        
 

Masonry chimneys are more prone to water damage than the rest of your home because they extend far above the roofline, unprotected from the elements.  Moisture is the major cause of chimney corrosion and disintegration. External moisture enters the chimney through cracked caps, porous masonry, poor mortar joints and improperly installed roof flashings. Masonry chimneys subjected to moisture damage can have efflorescent salt stains, spalled bricks, eroded mortar joints, flaked bricks. If left untreated, water damage can crack or break the masonry clay chimney tiles and damage the appliances connected to the chimney. 

 

   

 

        

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  Wood & Pellet Stove Installations

        
 

Bringing a new wood stove into your home is like welcoming a new member to the family. Your hearth will quickly become the heart of your home, where everyone, including the cat and the dog, will gather on winter evenings. You’ll soon be wondering how you got along without it. Today, there are a massive variety of stoves to choose from with many different designs, colors, styles, shapes and sizes. Although wood-burning technology itself is older than recorded history, woodstoves now have precision engineering and design, making them highly sophisticated machines designed for extracting maximum heat from wood with minimum possible waste or pollution. 

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                       Brick Work/Tuckpointing

       
 

Masonry chimneys constructed of brick and stone can develop voids, cracks, crumbling mortar, or uneven areas of mortar from settling or foundation problems. Separations between brick and mortar can allow air and water to leak through gaps in the chimney. Repairing cracked mortar is called tuck-pointing. 

Tuck-pointing is typically needed when exposure (of 25-30 years) causes mortar joints to crack, flake, or disintegrate. Large holes and washed out mortar are typical signs that tuck-pointing is needed. 

Although the right material and technique are usually enough to deliver a water-tight job, it usually takes the skill of experienced professionals to use the proper mortar mix and tools to match existing mortar. 

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                    Demo/Rebuild

         
 

We specialize in all aspects of chimney maintenance and repair. From simple annual cleanings to complete chimney demo/rebuilds and everything in between. Our experienced masons are chimney building specialist and get the job done right. Our service and installation crews are professionally trained to the highest industry-recognized standards. 

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              Veneering & Restoration

         
 

If you are considering resurfacing your outdated exterior or interior fireplace we can help you create the perfect look to accent your home. Fireplace stone veneers bring the beauty and durability of natural stone to your fireplace and hearth. Thin stone veneers can be used to recover existing fireplaces or to clad new ones. If you are not sure of the style of your fireplace or what materials you would want to use we can help you create the perfect look. 

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                  Animal Removal

         
 

If you hear noises coming from your chimney it could be that a that a raccoon has moved in to utilize the space as a denning site to have her babies. It could also be that a squirrel or a bird has entered the chimney and cannot get back out. If the damper is not closed then the animal may get into your home. Never try to trap or smoke an animal out of a flue, doing so may result in a blockage or chimney fire. If you suspect an animal is living in your chimney it is a good idea to have the flue and smoke shelf professionally cleaned of any debris prior to using. 

Once cleared the chimney can be secured with a spark arrestor screen. Although you may have a cap on the chimney it may not be animal proofed. The material that must be used is 1"x1" welded wire mesh (16-19 gauge). Squirrels can easily chew chicken wire or screening so it is important to use welded wire mesh.  

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                     Emergencies

         
 

We offer 24 hour emergency repair service to our existing customers.  

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      Fireplace Gifts & Accessories

       
 

Our service technician will provide you with a catalog to view our products upon arrival. 

 

 

 

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Unauthorized use may violate trademark and other laws.

 Email: Info@CornerstoneChimney.com

Telephone: 1(781)337-3880