Frequently Asked Questions

We lay protective drop cloths, run a rotary sweep system up the flue to remove creosote and debris, then inspect the interior with a camera on a flexible rod. You watch the live feed with us. Afterward, we give you a written report with photos and a plain-English verdict: what's fine, what needs attention, and what's urgent. The whole visit takes 45 minutes to 90 minutes, depending on the system. We work in your house the way we'd work in our mother's - that's the "Your home first" in our K.E.Y.S. code.

The National Fire Protection Association recommends an annual inspection, with sweeping as needed based on what we find. In Cherry Hill, most wood-burning fireplaces need sweeping every year or two, depending on use. The damp, freeze-thaw cycles of South Jersey winters accelerate masonry wear, so we pay close attention to crown and flue tile condition during inspection. Gas systems typically need less frequent sweeping but still require annual inspection for venting integrity. Call (856) 543-2929 to schedule.

Most appointments run 45 minutes to 90 minutes from arrival to cleanup. A straightforward sweep and inspection on a single wood-burning fireplace takes less time. Multiple flues, a heavily glazed system, or the need to access a steep roof in neighborhoods like Barclay Farm or Ashland adds time. We'll give you a realistic window when we book, and we'll be there when we say. No one likes waiting around for a contractor who runs late.

Yes, we need an adult present to let us in, show us the system, and review the camera inspection with you. The value of our service is partly in what we show you - the photos, the condition report, the plain-English explanation of what you're looking at. We've found that homeowners who see the evidence themselves make better decisions and never feel sold to. We'll work around your schedule, including Saturday appointments.

Clear the hearth area of ashes, decorative items, and furniture within about six feet of the fireplace. Don't use the fireplace for 24 hours before we arrive - the system needs to be completely cool. If you have a wood stove or insert, remove any remaining fuel. We bring our own drop cloths, vacuums, and tools. In Cherry Hill's older neighborhoods like Erlton and Colwick, where hearths are sometimes tight against walls, extra access space helps us work cleanly.

We source quality components from established manufacturers like Gelco and Olympia Chimney for stainless steel liners, and Famco for caps and termination hardware. These are brands we've worked with for years because they hold up in South Jersey's climate - the humidity, the coastal air, the temperature swings. We don't use bargain-bin parts that fail in three seasons. When we install something, we stand behind it.

Yes, we install Copperfield caps when they're the right fit for the flue and the homeowner wants that level of finish. Copperfield makes solid, well-fitted caps that keep out rain, animals, and debris. In Cherry Hill, where mature trees in neighborhoods like Woodcrest drop leaves and twigs year-round, a proper cap extends the life of the flue and reduces maintenance. We'll show you the options and explain why one fits your system better than another.

Many homes in Cherry Hill's established neighborhoods - Kingston Estates, Springdale, parts of Ashland - were built in the 1960s and 1970s with flue tiles, dampers, and caps that are no longer standard sizes. We maintain relationships with suppliers who stock hard-to-find components, and we can fabricate custom solutions when needed. The camera inspection tells us exactly what we're working with before we order anything.

Every pro working under our name is required to hold the license and insurance their state requires, and we prioritize CSIA-certified sweeps. Certification matters because chimney work combines fire safety, structural knowledge, and ventilation science. In New Jersey, there's no standalone chimney sweep license, so we verify that our technicians carry the credentials that do exist and the liability coverage that protects you. We've been doing this since 2014, and we don't send untrained people into your home.

Yes, we carry general liability insurance and require the same of every technician who works under our name. If something goes wrong in your home, you're protected. We also carry workers' compensation, so you're not exposed if a technician is injured on your property. These are network standards, not extras - any reputable sweep should be able to show you proof of coverage. Ask us. We'll show you.

Most chimney sweeping and inspection work doesn't require a permit in Cherry Hill. Structural repairs, liner replacements, and chimney rebuilds typically do, and we handle the permit application as part of the job. Cherry Hill's building department follows the International Residential Code with New Jersey amendments. We know the local inspectors and the process, so there's no delay or confusion. If permits are needed, we tell you upfront - no surprises on the bill.

We're open seven days a week: Monday through Sunday, 7:00 AM to 7:30 PM. Calls are answered by a live coordinator who connects you with the local team. We don't promise middle-of-the-night emergency dispatches - that's not honest, and it's not safe for complex work. For urgent situations like a suspected chimney fire or carbon monoxide alarm, call 911 first, then call us to schedule a full inspection once the immediate danger is addressed. Our hours are designed to serve homeowners who plan ahead, which is most chimney maintenance.

Call 911 immediately, then evacuate your home. A chimney fire sounds like a freight train in the walls, with dense smoke and sometimes visible flames at the top. Don't try to fight it yourself. After the fire department clears the scene, call us at (856) 543-2929 to schedule a level-2 inspection. The heat of a chimney fire often cracks flue tiles and damages liners, creating hidden hazards even if the visible fire is out. We'll document everything with photos and tell you exactly what needs repair before you use the system again.

During our busy season - late summer through early fall, when Cherry Hill homeowners are preparing for burning season - we typically book one to two weeks out. In spring and early summer, we often have openings within a few days. We don't overbook or promise same-day service we can't deliver. When you call, we'll give you an honest timeframe, and we'll be there when we say. The best time to schedule is before you need the fireplace - not the first cold night in October when everyone's calling at once.

We back our work with the Keystone Standard: 90 days, in writing, no arguing. If something we did isn't right, we come back and fix it. No paperwork battle, no runaround. This applies to sweeps, inspections, and any repairs we perform. For manufacturer-warrantied items like stainless steel liners, the product warranty runs longer and is handled through the brand - Gelco and Olympia Chimney both offer substantial residential warranties on their liners, which we document for you at installation.

We stop, show you the camera evidence, and explain your options before any additional work proceeds. Nothing is added to the job without your clear approval. This is where our "no surprises on the bill" principle matters most. We've had homeowners in Cherry Hill tear up when we showed them cracked flue tiles they didn't know were there - not because of the repair cost, but because they'd been using a dangerous system for years. We don't sell fear. We show facts, give a square deal, and let you decide.

We guarantee we'll leave your home as clean as we found it. Drop cloths, HEPA vacuums, shoe covers - these are standard, not special requests. If we track soot through your house or leave ash on the mantel, we failed at "Your home first," and we want to know about it. In twelve years of service, we've learned that the little things - the drop cloth tucked just so, the vacuum running before we pack up - are what keep homeowners calling us back and recommending us to neighbors in Cherry Hill, Camden, and Voorhees.

You're gambling with two real risks: chimney fire from creosote buildup, and carbon monoxide intrusion from cracked flues or blocked vents. In Cherry Hill's older homes, especially those with original masonry in neighborhoods like Erlton and Colwick, freeze-thaw damage opens gaps you can't see from the firebox. The inspection isn't a sales tactic - it's how you know your system is safe. When damage is minor, we tell you it can wait. When it's not, we show you why. Either way, you know. Call (856) 543-2929 to schedule.

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