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.
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Before
AfterChimney Cleaning Before & After in Wilmington, DE
We’ve cleaned and inspected more than 38,000 chimneys since 2009, and we’ve photographed every one. The difference between a neglected flue and a properly swept system isn’t subtle. It’s measurable, visible, and documented under Clause 4 of the Haven Standard. This gallery shows what we find in Wilmington homes, what we do about it, and what you should expect to see when the job is done.
Recent Transformations
Class III Glazed Creosote Removal, Brandywine Hills
The homeowner in Brandywine Hills noticed a tar-like odor whenever the fireplace was cold. We found Class III glazed creosote, a hardened, fuel-saturated deposit that standard brushing won’t remove. We applied a creosote-modifying agent, mechanically removed the glazed layer with a rotary chain system, and finished with a poly brush sweep. The flue liner was restored to a clean, inspectable surface. We delivered 47 photos, a written scope, and a $340 price before we started. Clause 4 of the Haven Standard required the photo record; the written price came from Clause 1.
Smoke Chamber Parging and Sweep, Trolley Square
A Trolley Square rowhouse had smoke occasionally backing into the living room. The smoke chamber, the area above the firebox that funnels smoke into the flue, was corbelled brick with gaps large enough to let smoke and embers contact surrounding framing. We swept the flue, then applied Chamber-Tech 2000 parging mix to create a smooth, sloped surface. The smoke chamber now meets NFPA 211 standards for safe smoke passage. The job was $680, quoted in writing before we unloaded tools. The photo record showed the corbelled gaps before and the sealed surface after.
Chimney Cap and Crown Rebuild, Delaware Avenue Corridor
Water staining on the bedroom ceiling below the chimney led us to find a crown spalled down to exposed rebar and no chimney cap at all. Water had been entering the flue system for multiple seasons, degrading the clay flue liner and saturating the smoke chamber. We removed the damaged crown, poured a new concrete crown with a formed drip edge, and installed a Gelco stainless steel chimney cap with mesh screening. The flue is now protected from water, animals, and debris. Written price: $1,240. The photo record documented the rebar exposure and the finished assembly.
Prefabricated Fireplace Flue Sweep and Inspection, Little Italy
A prefabricated fireplace in Little Italy was drawing poorly and smelling of burnt material even when not in use. The metal flue pipe, specific to the manufacturer’s listed system, was blocked by nesting debris and a 2-inch layer of soot that reduced the flue diameter by 40%. We removed the debris, swept the metal flue with tools sized for the smaller diameter, and verified the manufacturer’s required clearance-to-combustibles with a camera scan. The system now drafts properly and meets the original listing. Price before work: $280. The photo record included the debris obstruction and the clear flue with the manufacturer’s label visible.
Clay Flue Liner Crack Assessment and Sweep, Union Park Gardens
Annual maintenance in Union Park Gardens revealed a vertical crack running through three clay flue tiles, visible on our camera scan but not from the top or bottom without magnification. We completed the sweep to remove soot that would obscure the damage, then documented the crack’s exact location, length, and whether it penetrated the tile wall. The homeowner received 23 photos, a written description of the liner condition, and a separate written quote for liner replacement with DuraFlex stainless steel. No repair was performed without the homeowner’s written approval of the additional scope. The sweep and inspection: $220. The documentation allowed the homeowner to plan the repair with full information.
Firebox Repointing and Hearth Sweep, Wawaset Park
A Wawaset Park homeowner reported ash dust entering the basement when the fireplace was in use. The firebox mortar was deteriorated to the point that smoke and ash were leaking through the joints into the wall cavity and down to the basement. We swept the flue, repointed the firebox with high-temperature refractory mortar rated for the application, and thoroughly cleaned the hearth and ash dump. The smoke path is now contained within the masonry. Written price: $590. The photo record showed the deteriorated mortar joints, the repointed surface, and the clean ash dump with the damper assembly visible.
What Every Job Includes
These aren’t selected highlights. Every chimney cleaning and inspection we perform in Wilmington follows the same standard:
- Written price before work starts - Clause 1 of the Haven Standard. No exceptions, no surprises.
- NFPA 211 Level 2 camera inspection - a full visual scan of the flue interior, smoke chamber, and accessible portions of the firebox and exterior.
- Documented photo record - Clause 4 of the Haven Standard. You receive every image we capture, with findings labeled.
- Written scope and written warranty - what we did, what we found, and what we guarantee.
- 365-Day Done Right Promise - if it’s not done right, we make it right.
Materials come from DuraFlex, HeatShield, Gelco, Olympia Chimney, Famco, and Copperfield, sourced through Haven’s buying network to keep prices honest. Our technicians are background-checked, uniformed, and assigned by name. You’ll get a text when they’re on the way.
What happens when you call
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A real person answersNo phone trees - you reach a local pro.
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You get an upfront price rangeHonest numbers before anyone is dispatched.
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A background-checked tech heads outLicensed & insured, dispatched right away.
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You approve before work beginsNothing starts until you say go.
Before
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Call (610) 546-5053. A live person answers 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We’ll schedule your NFPA 211 Level 2 inspection and cleaning, deliver a written price before we start, and document everything under Clause 4 of the Haven Standard. Free Second Opinion available on any competitor’s written estimate.
Written by Corrine Halstead, Owner at Level Two Chimney Wilmington, serving Wilmington since 2009.