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 San Mateo, CA
Photos don’t exaggerate. A flue caked with Class III glazed creosote looks like one thing; the same flue after a proper sweep and Level 2 inspection looks like another. We’ve documented every job since 2009 under Clause 4 of the Haven Standard, and what follows are the kinds of transformations we deliver across San Mateo, from Baywood to Sugarloaf.
Recent Transformations
Class III Glazed Creosote Removal, Baywood-Aragon
The homeowner in Baywood-Aragon hadn’t had the flue swept in six years. We found Class III glazed creosote, that hard, tar-like layer that forms when vapors condense on cooler surfaces, coating the full length of the terracotta flue liner. Our crew ran a rotary sweep with polypropylene chains to fracture the glaze, followed by a mechanical whipping to remove the residue. The post-sweep camera scan showed bare terracotta with the liner joints fully visible, and the written report with photos went to the homeowner before we packed up.
Smoke Chamber Parging & Firebox Restoration, San Mateo Park
This San Mateo Park fireplace had a smoke chamber, that inverted funnel above the firebox, with mortar missing in fist-sized patches and the firebrick walls showing spalling, where the surface flakes off from thermal cycling. We removed the loose material, parged the smoke chamber with Chamber-Tech 2000 to create the smooth, sloped surface the code requires, and rebuilt the firebox with new firebrick set in refractory mortar. The result passed camera inspection and the homeowner got the photo record, the written scope, and the written warranty before anyone left.
Chimney Cap Replacement & Flue Sweep, Hillsdale
A Hillsdale homeowner called because of water stains on the firebox wall. The galvanized cap had rusted through at the seams, the mesh was gone, and the flue was packed with leaves and a season’s worth of Class II flaky creosote. We swept the flue, ran the camera to confirm no liner damage from the moisture, and installed a Gelco stainless steel cap with proper mesh to keep animals and debris out. The written price for all three items, cap, sweep, and inspection, was delivered before work started under Haven Standard Clause 1.
Prefabricated Fireplace Flue Cleaning, Shoreview
Prefabricated fireplaces in Shoreview and across San Mateo use metal flue pipes, not masonry liners, and they need a different cleaning approach. This unit had heavy soot reducing the flue diameter and the homeowner noticed smoke rollback on cold starts. We used a softer-bristle rotary system designed for metal, removed the accumulation without scoring the pipe, and confirmed draft readings within manufacturer spec. The photo record showed the full pipe length, and we noted in writing that the factory termination cap was intact and properly aligned.
Chimney Liner Inspection & Creosote Mitigation, Beresford Park
A Beresford Park homeowner with a newer stainless steel liner, installed by another company, called because of a persistent tar odor. We found Class II and early Class III creosote collecting where the liner had sagged slightly, creating a low spot, and the insulation wrap had slipped at the support collar. We cleaned the liner, repositioned and secured the insulation, added a support at the proper spacing per the manufacturer’s listing, and documented everything with the camera. The odor stopped, and the written report noted the liner was suitable for continued use with annual sweeping.
Fireplace Insert Flue Connection Sweep, North Central
Wood-burning inserts in North Central San Mateo homes often get neglected because the firebox looks contained. This insert’s flue connector, the stainless pipe running into the existing chimney, was blocked with ash and creosote, and the bypass damper was stuck shut from corrosion. We removed the insert per the manufacturer’s procedure, swept the connector, freed and lubricated the damper, and reinstalled with a new gasket. The camera verified the connector was clear and the written scope included a note to replace the door gasket within two seasons.
Want Results Like These?
Every job here follows the same protocol: written price before work starts, camera inspection and photo record included, and the 365-Day Done Right Promise stamped on the invoice. Call (650) 600-3117 to schedule your chimney cleaning in San Mateo. A live person answers, 24 hours a day, and we’ll deliver your written estimate with no pressure to book.
Written by Corrine Halstead, Owner at Emberly Chimney Cleaners San Mateo, serving San Mateo since 2009.