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 Clifton, NJ
You can read all day about how a chimney sweep works, but seeing the actual condition of a flue before and after tells you more in five seconds. That’s why we photograph every job. Clause 4 of the Haven Standard has required a documented photo record on every visit since 2009, so when we say a chimney was cleaned, repaired, or relined, you’re looking at proof, not a promise.
Recent Transformations
Class III Creosote Removal in a Lakeview Heights Flue
This Clifton flue had creosote built up to the point where it wasn’t a coating anymore, it was a layer. Class III creosote is the glazed, tar-like stage that feeds a chimney fire if it ever ignites. We ran rotary steel loops down the full liner length, then followed with a chemical treatment to break down what the mechanical pass couldn’t reach. The after photo shows bare terra cotta, and the homeowner got a written report plus photos for their records.
Flue Liner De-Glazing in the Athenia Section
Creosote at that level is its own kind of insulation, just not the kind you want. This liner had glazed creosote that a standard brush alone won’t move. We applied a creosote modifier, let it work, then swept and re-scanned with the camera. The difference in the after image is the smooth, almost shiny surface of the liner wall, which is what you want to see before burning season starts in Passaic County.
Smoke Chamber Cleaning in a 1940s Colonial Near Main Memorial Park
The smoke chamber sits between the firebox and the flue, and on older Clifton homes it’s often corbeled brick that catches every bit of soot drifting up. This one hadn’t been cleaned in years, and the damper was nearly stuck from the buildup. We cleaned the full chamber, freed the damper assembly, and confirmed with a camera scan that the passage was clear. The after photo shows definition between the bricks again.
Fireplace Restoration After Years of Wood Burning in Richfield
This Richfield fireplace saw regular use most winters, and the firebox walls showed it. Ash had compacted into the mortar joints and the back wall was black with soot. We removed the debris, cleaned the firebox surfaces, and checked the lintel and damper for heat damage. The after photo shows a firebox you’d actually want to look at, not just use.
Chimney Cap Replacement on a Dutch Colonial in Montclair Heights
Rain had been getting past a rusted cap and into the flue, which in Clifton’s wet springs means damp smells and accelerated liner wear. We removed the old cap, measured the crown, and installed a stainless replacement from Olympia Chimney with a secure mounting. The new cap in the after photo has a proper screen to keep animals out and a solid top to shed water.
Want Results Like These?
Every sweep and repair we do in Clifton ends the same way: a written report, a camera scan, and photos you keep. If your chimney hasn’t been looked at this year, call (551) 282-9640 for a written price before any work starts. We’ll show you exactly what we found, and we’ll leave it cleaner than we found it.
Written by Corrine Halstead, Owner at Level Two Chimney Clifton, serving Clifton, NJ since 2009.