Before & After Gallery - Hearthstone Chimney Co.

Chimney Cleaning Before & After in Cherry Hill, NJ

We’re not big on talking about ourselves. We’d rather show you what a proper chimney cleaning actually looks like. These are real jobs we’ve done in Cherry Hill and the surrounding towns. The difference between a neglected flue and a clean one is not subtle, and it’s not something you want to discover the hard way.

Call (856) 543-2929

Recent Transformations

Stage-3 Creosote Removal, Cherry Hill Colonial

This homeowner on the east side of Cherry Hill near Woodcrest had been burning seasoned oak for fifteen winters without a professional sweep. The glazed creosote was so thick it had the texture of hardened tar. We used mechanical rotary cleaning with professional-grade chain whips to break it down, then ran our camera to confirm the stainless steel liner was intact. The flue went from roughly 60% blocked to full capacity. Burning season started two weeks later, and the draft pulled properly for the first time in years.

Fireplace Smoke Stain Restoration, Barclay Farm

The family in Barclay Farm called because their living room smelled like a campfire even when the fireplace wasn’t in use. The real problem was a combination of a blocked chimney cap, a flue loaded with soot, and a house that had been tightened up with new windows and weatherstripping. We pulled two gallons of compacted debris from the flue, replaced the rusted cap with a Gelco stainless model, and cleaned the smoke stains from the brick. No more smell. No more gray haze on the mantel every Monday morning.

Chimney Cap and Crown Rebuild, Springdale

Water was running down the flue every heavy rain in Springdale, pooling in the firebox, and the homeowner assumed they needed a full liner replacement. Our Level-2 camera inspection showed the liner was sound. The actual culprit was a cracked concrete crown with no overhang and a missing chimney cap that had blown off in a storm three years prior. We formed and poured a new crown with a proper drip edge, then installed a stainless steel cap with mesh screening. The water stopped that same week. The liner will likely outlast the house.

Prefabricated Fireplace Flue Cleaning, Cherry Hill Estates

The homeowner in Cherry Hill Estates had a prefab wood-burning unit that was smoking into the room whenever they opened the glass doors. These factory-built systems have metal flues with specific clearances, and they’re unforgiving when clogged. We found a partially collapsed bird nest and roughly an inch of compacted soot narrowing the flue. After clearing it and securing the termination cap with proper fasteners, the unit drafted correctly. Prefab systems don’t have the thermal mass of masonry, so any restriction shows up immediately. This one was back to working as designed.

Smoke Chamber Parging and Soot Removal, Kingston Estates

The smoke chamber in this Kingston Estates fireplace was a textbook example of old masonry construction. Corbeled brick, rough surfaces, decades of soot embedded in the mortar joints. Smoke was spilling at the start of every fire because the turbulent chamber couldn’t establish proper flow. We cleaned the surfaces, then applied HeatShield cerfractory foam to create a smooth, insulated transition to the flue. The parging reduces creosote adhesion and improves draft efficiency. The homeowner noticed the difference the first evening. Fires light faster, burn cleaner, and don’t push smoke into the room on cold starts.

Chimney Liner Inspection and Flue Restoration, Erlton

This Erlton ranch had a 1960s chimney with original clay tiles. Several tiles had cracked from thermal cycling, and the gaps were packed with creosote that had been seeping through for years. We documented everything with camera photos the homeowner could see, then explained which cracks were active hazards and which were stable. The flue was too damaged for cleaning alone to solve the problem. We installed a DuraFlex stainless steel liner with proper insulation and a top plate seal. The chimney now meets current code, drafts properly, and the homeowner has photos showing exactly why the work was necessary.

Want Results Like These?

Every job here started with a phone call and a camera inspection. We’ll show you what your chimney actually looks like, explain what needs attention now and what can wait, and give you a price that won’t change. Call (856) 543-2929 to book. A live person answers, day or night. Estimates are free, and most cleanings are done in a single visit.

Written by Russell Haines, Owner at Hearthstone Chimney Co., serving Cherry Hill and South Jersey since 1984.