Frequently Asked Questions

We lay protective drop cloths, run a rotary brush and vacuum system up the flue to remove creosote and debris, then inspect the firebox, damper, and exterior masonry for damage or obstructions. The whole process takes 45 to 90 minutes for a standard fireplace. You'll get a verbal summary before we leave, and a written report with photos if you opted for level-2 inspection.

The National Fire Protection Association recommends annual inspection, with cleaning as needed. Most Fairfield homeowners who burn regularly need a sweep every year, especially given our cold, wet winters that encourage creosote buildup. Occasional users can sometimes go two years, but we still recommend annual inspection to catch water damage, animal intrusion, or deteriorating mortar before they become expensive problems.

A routine sweep takes 45 to 90 minutes. A level-2 inspection with camera work adds 30 to 45 minutes. We schedule two-hour windows and arrive when we say we will. If we find damage that requires discussion, we'll take the time to show you the footage and explain your options - we don't rush out the door to hit the next job.

Remove ashes from the firebox if there's more than an inch, clear the mantel of fragile items, and make sure we have access to the roof if exterior inspection is needed. Don't light a fire for 24 hours before we arrive - the flue needs to be cool. We'll handle the rest, including drop cloths and cleanup.

Yes, immediately. There's no curing time or waiting period after a standard sweep. If we've performed masonry repairs or installed a new liner, we'll tell you specifically when it's safe to burn - typically 24 hours for mortar work to set.

We install Gelco and Olympia Chimney stainless steel liners, which carry lifetime warranties against corrosion and defects when properly maintained. For chimney caps and dampers, we use Famco and Copperfield products, selected for our coastal Connecticut climate where salt air accelerates rust on lesser materials. We don't install bargain brands that won't last in Fairfield's freeze-thaw cycles.

We install and service wood-burning inserts and stoves, but we don't retail appliances. We'll recommend trusted local hearth shops in Fairfield and Westport, then handle the chimney prep, liner installation, and final connection to manufacturer specs. This keeps us focused on what we do best: the chimney system itself.

We carry common brick types and can closely match most Fairfield-area masonry, including the older salmon-colored brick found in Greenfield Hill and the darker blends common in newer Easton and Monroe construction. Perfect color matching sometimes requires a custom mix, which we'll discuss before ordering. We don't start masonry work until you've approved the sample.

Every pro working under our name is required to hold the license and insurance Connecticut requires for chimney work, and our sweeps hold CSIA (Chimney Safety Institute of America) certification. We're insured and bonded, and we carry workers' compensation. If you'd like to verify coverage, just ask - we'll provide our certificate of insurance directly.

Most chimney sweeps and level-2 inspections don't require permits. Liner replacement, structural repairs, and new chimney construction typically do require permits through your local building department in Fairfield, Bridgeport, or whichever municipality you live in. We handle permit applications as part of the job when they're needed, and we know the inspectors in each town from twelve years of working here.

CSIA certification means a sweep has passed rigorous testing on fire safety, building codes, and chimney physics, and commits to ongoing education. It's the standard credential homeowners should look for. Russell Haines requires it for every sweep on our Fairfield team - no exceptions. A certified sweep spots problems an untrained eye misses, and that difference matters when carbon monoxide or chimney fire is the risk.

Call 911 first if flames or heavy smoke are visible, then call us at (475) 251-7537 for a level-2 inspection before using the fireplace again. Signs of a chimney fire include loud cracking or popping, dense smoke, or a hot, intense odor. Even a small fire can crack clay tiles or damage the liner, creating paths for carbon monoxide or future fires. We inspect chimney fire damage throughout Fairfield County and will show you exactly what happened inside the flue.

Yes - squirrels, raccoons, and chimney swifts are common intruders in Fairfield's wooded neighborhoods, especially in Weston, Redding, and Wilton. We safely remove animals and install proper chimney caps with animal-proof screening to prevent return visits. If you hear scratching or chirping, don't light a fire - call us. Smoke can kill trapped animals and drive them into your living space.

We're open seven days a week: Monday through Sunday, 7:30 AM to 8:00 PM. We book appointments throughout the week and typically have availability within 3 to 10 days during normal seasons, with longer waits in peak fall season when everyone's rushing to get swept before the first cold snap. We don't promise same-day service, but we'll get you on the schedule as soon as we can and show up when we say we will.

If you smell gas, leave immediately and call 911 or your gas utility from outside the home. If you smell smoke when the fireplace isn't in use, call us - it often means a blocked flue, negative pressure issue, or deteriorating liner allowing fumes into the house. Don't ignore it. Carbon monoxide is odorless and deadly, and a smoky smell is sometimes the only warning before a more serious problem.

We apply the Keystone Standard to every job: 90 days, in writing, no arguing. If something we did isn't right, we come back and fix it. No paperwork battles, no runaround. Beyond our guarantee, Gelco and Olympia Chimney liners carry manufacturer lifetime warranties, and Famco and Copperfield caps carry 10 to 20 year warranties depending on the model. We register these warranties for you and keep copies on file.

It means trained journeymen, proper materials, and no shortcuts - the first value in our K.E.Y.S. code. "Every time" means the 400th job gets the care of the first. "Your home first" means we work in your house the way we'd work in our mother's. "Standing behind it" means if it's not right, we come back. These aren't slogans; they're how Russell Haines built this Fairfield team, and how we judge every job.

No honest sweep can guarantee that, and anyone who does is selling something. What we guarantee is that we'll remove the creosote and obstructions present when we sweep, document the flue condition with photos, and tell you honestly whether your burning habits or appliance setup create elevated risk. Safe burning practices - dry hardwood, proper air flow, no overnight smoldering - are your part of the partnership. We'll teach you what we know.

Then don't do them. We show you the camera footage, explain what we see, and give you a written estimate. Some repairs are urgent for safety; others can wait a season or two. We'll tell you which is which, honestly. We've talked homeowners out of unnecessary work more times than we can count, because a square deal means you trust us enough to call again. That's how we've stayed in Fairfield for twelve years.

Written by Russell Haines, Owner at Hearthstone Chimney Co., serving Fairfield since 2014.